Staggered garbage collection unit (GCU) allocation across dies
US11334481B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2020 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2212/7205
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and method for managing a non-volatile memory (NVM) such as a flash memory in a solid-state drive (SSD). In some embodiments, the NVM is arranged as a plurality of semiconductor memory dies coupled to a controller circuit using a plurality of channels. The controller circuit divides the plurality of dies into a succession of garbage collection units (GCUs). Each GCU is independently erasable and allocatable for storage of user data. The GCUs are staggered so that each GCU is formed from a different subset of the dies in the NVM. In further embodiments, the dies are arranged into NVM sets in accordance with the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) specification with each NVM set addressable by a different user for storage of data in a separate set of staggered GCUs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.