SILICONSYSTEMS, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100174856 | MULTI-INTERFACE AND MULTI-BUS STRUCTURED SOLID-STATE STORAGE SUBSYSTEM - A solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory card or drive, includes multiple interfaces and a memory area storing information used by a data arbiter to prioritize data commands received through the interfaces. As one example, the information may store a priority ranking of multiple host systems that are connected to the solid-state storage subsystem, such that the data arbiter may process concurrently received data transfer commands serially according to their priority ranking. A host software component may be configured to store and modify the priority control information in solid-state storage subsystem's memory area. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174849 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF NON-VOLATILE MEMORY OPERATIONS - Disclosed herein are systems and methods that recognize and recapture potentially unused processing time in typical page program and block erase operations in non-volatile memory (NVM) devices. In one embodiment, a characterization module within a controller executes a characterization procedure by performing page program and block erase operations on one or more NVM devices in an array and storing execution time data of the operations in a calibration table. The procedure may be executed at start-up and/or periodically so that the time values are reflective of the actual physical condition of the individual NVM devices. A task manager uses the stored time values to estimate the time needed for completing certain memory operations in its task table. Based on the estimated time for completion, the task manager assigns tasks to be executed during page program and/or block erase cycles, so that otherwise unused processing time can be utilized. | 07-08-2010 |
20100122200 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING THE USEFUL LIFE OF SOLID-STATE STORAGE DEVICES - A non-volatile solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory device, maintains usage statistics reflective of the wear state, and thus the remaining useful life, of the subsystem's memory array. A host system reads the usage statistics information, or data derived therefrom, from the subsystem to evaluate the subsystem's remaining life expectancy. The host system may use this information for various purposes, such as to (a) display or report information regarding the remaining life of the subsystem; (b) adjust the frequency with which data is written to the subsystem; and/or (c) select the type(s) of data written to the subsystem. | 05-13-2010 |
20100017542 | STORAGE SUBSYSTEM WITH CONFIGURABLE BUFFER - A storage subsystem includes a variable-size write buffer that temporarily stores write data received from a host system. The storage subsystem is capable of adjusting the size of the write buffer so as to vary both the performance (e.g., sustained write speed) of the storage subsystem and a risk of data loss. In one embodiment, the storage subsystem implements a command set that enables the host system to directly control the size of the write buffer. The storage subsystem may additionally or alternatively be capable of adjusting the size of the write buffer based on monitored operating conditions, such as the temperature, the stability/consistency of a power signal received from the host system, and/or the elapsed time since the storage subsystem was last powered up. | 01-21-2010 |
20090204853 | INTERFACE FOR ENABLING A HOST COMPUTER TO RETRIEVE DEVICE MONITOR DATA FROM A SOLID STATE STORAGE SUBSYSTEM - A non-volatile storage subsystem maintains, and makes available to a host system, monitor data reflective of a likelihood of a data error occurring. The monitor data may, for example, include usage statistics and/or sensor data. The storage subsystem transfers the monitor data to the host system over a signal interface that is separate from the signal interface used for standard storage operations. This interface may be implemented using otherwise unused pins/signal lines of a standard connector, such as a CompactFlash or SATA connector. Special hardware may be provided in the storage subsystem and host system for transferring the monitor data over these signal lines, so that the transfers occur with little or no need for host-software intervention. The disclosed design reduces or eliminates the need for host software that uses non-standard or “vendor-specific” commands to retrieve the monitor data. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204852 | SOLID STATE STORAGE SUBSYSTEM THAT MAINTAINS AND PROVIDES ACCESS TO DATA REFLECTIVE OF A FAILURE RISK - A storage subsystem is disclosed that maintains (a) statistics regarding errors detected via an ECC (error correction code) module of the storage subsystem; and/or (b) historical data regarding operating conditions experienced by the storage subsystem, such as temperature, altitude, humidity, shock, and/or input voltage level. The storage subsystem, and/or a host system to which the storage subsystem attaches, may analyze the stored data to assess a risk of a failure event such as an uncorrectable data error. The results of this analysis may be displayed via a user interface of the host system, and/or may be used to automatically take a precautionary action such as transmitting an alert message or changing a mode of operation of the storage subsystem. | 08-13-2009 |
20090196100 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING UNAUTHORIZED DATA RECOVERY FROM SOLID-STATE STORAGE DEVICES - A memory system comprising one or more memory devices is purged to prevent unauthorized access to data stored therein. A host system passes control of purge operations to the memory system. The purge operations are configured to erase data, write a pattern to memory locations, physically damage the memory devices in the memory system, or combinations of the foregoing. The memory system can perform a purge operation on two or more memory devices in parallel. The memory system includes a destroy circuit to provide an over-current and/or over-voltage condition to the memory devices. The memory system also includes one or more isolation circuits to protect control circuitry in the memory system from the over-current and/or over-voltage condition. In some embodiments, the memory system includes a backup battery so it can complete a purge operation if it looses its power connection to the host system. | 08-06-2009 |
20090070651 | STORAGE SUBSYSTEM CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING ECC SETTINGS BASED ON MONITORED CONDITIONS - A storage subsystem monitors one or more conditions related to the probability of a data error occurring. Based on the monitored condition or conditions, the storage subsystem adjusts an error correction setting, and thus the quantity of ECC data used to protect data received from a host system. To enable blocks of data to be properly checked when read from memory, the storage subsystem stores ECC metadata indicating the particular error correction setting used to store particular blocks of data. The storage subsystem may be in the form of a solid-state non-volatile memory card or drive that attaches to the host system. | 03-12-2009 |
20090031095 | PURGE OPERATIONS FOR SOLID-STATE STORAGE DEVICES - A storage system that comprises multiple solid-state storage devices includes a command set that enables a host system to initiate one or more types of purge operations. The supported purge operations may include an erase operation in which the storage devices are erased, a sanitization operation in which a pattern is written to the storage devices, and/or a destroy operation in which the storage devices are physically damaged via application of a high voltage. The command set preferably enables the host system to specify how many of the storage devices are to be purged at a time during a purge operation. The host system can thereby control the amount of time, and the current level, needed to complete the purge operation. In some embodiments, the number of storage devices that are purged at a time may additionally or alternatively be selectable by a controller of the storage system. | 01-29-2009 |
20090031073 | MULTI-INTERFACE AND MULTI-BUS STRUCTURED SOLID-STATE STORAGE SUBSYSTEM - A solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory card or drive, includes multiple interfaces and a memory area storing information used by a data arbiter to prioritize data commands received through the interfaces. As one example, the information may store a priority ranking of multiple host systems that are connected to the solid-state storage subsystem, such that the data arbiter may process concurrently received data transfer commands serially according to their priority ranking. A host software component may be configured to store and modify the priority control information in solid-state storage subsystem's memory area. | 01-29-2009 |
20080294835 | SOLID STATE STORAGE SUBSYSTEM FOR EMBEDDED APPLICATIONS - A non-volatile storage subsystem solution is provided for embedded applications. The storage subsystem is preferably designed to communicate with the host system using a signal interface, such as a USB or SATA interface, that uses substantially fewer signal lines than the IDE interface traditionally used for embedded applications. Thus, the amount of board real estate used to carry interface signals in the host system is reduced. To further reduce board real estate, the host system may include a processor that includes an integrated controller (e.g., a USB or SATA controller) corresponding to the host-subsystem signal interface. The storage subsystem may plug into, and lock to, an internal connector on a circuit board of the host system. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294834 | SOLID STATE STORAGE SUBSYSTEM FOR EMBEDDED APPLICATIONS - A non-volatile storage subsystem solution is provided for embedded applications. The storage subsystem is preferably designed to communicate with the host system using a signal interface, such as a USB or SATA interface, that uses substantially fewer signal lines than the IDE interface traditionally used for embedded applications. Thus, the amount of board real estate used to carry interface signals in the host system is reduced. To further reduce board real estate, the host system may include a processor that includes an integrated controller (e.g., a USB or SATA controller) corresponding to the host-subsystem signal interface. The storage subsystem may plug into, and lock to, an internal connector on a circuit board of the host system. | 11-27-2008 |