公开(公告)号：US09703700B2

公开(公告)日：2017-07-11

申请号：US14693260

申请日：2015-04-22

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Daniel J. Post ,  Nir J. Wakrat

IPC: G06F3/06 ,  G06F12/02 ,  G06F13/16 ,  G06F12/14 ,  G06F21/71 ,  G06F21/79

CPC classification number: G06F12/0246 ,  G06F3/061 ,  G06F3/0613 ,  G06F3/0656 ,  G06F3/0659 ,  G06F3/0679 ,  G06F3/068 ,  G06F12/1408 ,  G06F13/1673 ,  G06F21/71 ,  G06F21/79 ,  G06F2212/1052 ,  Y02D10/14

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for efficient buffering for a system having non-volatile memory (“NVM”). In some embodiments, a control circuitry of a system can use heuristics to determine whether to perform buffering of one or more write commands received from a file system. In other embodiments, the control circuitry can minimize read energy and buffering overhead by efficiently re-ordering write commands in a queue along page-aligned boundaries of a buffer. In further embodiments, the control circuitry can optimally combine write commands from a buffer with write commands from a queue. After combining the commands, the control circuitry can dispatch the commands in a single transaction.

公开(公告)号：US20140281179A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US14299516

申请日：2014-06-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel J. Post ,  Nir J. Wakrat

IPC: G06F12/02

CPC classification number: G06F12/0246 ,  G06F3/0616 ,  G06F3/064 ,  G06F3/0679 ,  G06F7/588 ,  G06F2212/7211 ,  G11C16/349

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for stochastic block allocation for improved wear leveling for a system having non-volatile memory (“NVM”). The system can probabilistically allocate a block or super block for wear leveling based on statistics associated with the block or super block. In some embodiments, the system can select a set of blocks or super blocks based on a pre-determined threshold of a number of cycles (e.g., erase cycles and/or write cycles). The block or super block can then be selected from the set of super blocks. In other embodiments, the system can use a fully stochastic approach by selecting a block or super block based on a biased random variable. The biased random variable may be generated based in part on the number of cycles associated with each block or super block of the NVM.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于随机块分配的系统和方法，用于具有非易失性存储器（“NVM”）的系统的改进的磨损均衡。 基于与块或超级块相关联的统计量，系统可以概率地分配块或超级块用于磨损均衡。 在一些实施例中，系统可以基于多个周期（例如，擦除周期和/或写周期）的预定阈值来选择一组块或超块。 然后可以从超级块集中选择块或超级块。 在其他实施例中，系统可以通过基于偏置随机变量选择块或超块来使用完全随机的方法。 可以部分地基于与NVM的每个块或超级块相关联的周期数来生成偏置随机变量。

公开(公告)号：US20140245084A1

公开(公告)日：2014-08-28

申请号：US14267277

申请日：2014-05-01

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Matthew J. Byom ,  Nir J. Wakrat

IPC: G06F12/02 ,  G06F11/20

CPC classification number: G06F11/2094 ,  G06F11/073 ,  G06F11/0757 ,  G06F11/076 ,  G06F11/0793 ,  G06F12/0246 ,  G06F2212/7204 ,  G06F2212/7211

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring the time it takes to perform a write operation, and based on the time it takes, a determination is made whether to retire a block that is a recipient of the write operation. The time duration of the write operation for a page or a combination of pages may indicate whether any block or blocks containing the page or combination of pages is experiencing a physical failure. That is, if the time duration of the write operation for a particular page exceeds time threshold, this may indicate that this page requires a larger number of program cycles than other pages. The longer programming cycle can be an indication of cell leakage or a failing block.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于监视执行写入操作所花费的时间的系统和方法，并且基于所花费的时间，确定是否退出作为写入操作的接收者的块。 页面或页面组合的写入操作的持续时间可以指示包含页面或页面组合的任何块或块是否正在经历物理故障。 也就是说，如果特定页面的写入操作的持续时间超过时间阈值，则这可能表示该页面需要比其他页面更多的编程周期。 更长的编程周期可以表示单元泄漏或故障块。

公开(公告)号：US09239785B2

公开(公告)日：2016-01-19

申请号：US14299516

申请日：2014-06-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel J. Post ,  Nir J. Wakrat

IPC: G06F12/02 ,  G06F3/06 ,  G11C16/34 ,  G06F7/58

CPC classification number: G06F12/0246 ,  G06F3/0616 ,  G06F3/064 ,  G06F3/0679 ,  G06F7/588 ,  G06F2212/7211 ,  G11C16/349

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for stochastic block allocation for improved wear leveling for a system having non-volatile memory (“NVM”). The system can probabilistically allocate a block or super block for wear leveling based on statistics associated with the block or super block. In some embodiments, the system can select a set of blocks or super blocks based on a pre-determined threshold of a number of cycles (e.g., erase cycles and/or write cycles). The block or super block can then be selected from the set of super blocks. In other embodiments, the system can use a fully stochastic approach by selecting a block or super block based on a biased random variable. The biased random variable may be generated based in part on the number of cycles associated with each block or super block of the NVM.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于随机块分配的系统和方法，用于具有非易失性存储器（“NVM”）的系统的改进的磨损均衡。 基于与块或超级块相关联的统计量，系统可以概率地分配块或超级块用于磨损均衡。 在一些实施例中，系统可以基于多个周期（例如，擦除周期和/或写周期）的预定阈值来选择一组块或超块。 然后可以从超级块集中选择块或超级块。 在其他实施例中，系统可以通过基于偏置随机变量选择块或超块来使用完全随机的方法。 可以部分地基于与NVM的每个块或超级块相关联的周期数来生成偏置随机变量。

公开(公告)号：US20140115242A1

公开(公告)日：2014-04-24

申请号：US14143991

申请日：2013-12-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Daniel J. Post ,  Nir J. Wakrat

IPC: G06F12/02

CPC classification number: G06F12/0246

Abstract: This can relate to handling a non-volatile memory (“NVM”) operating at a substantially full memory. The non-volatile memory can report its physical capacity to an NVM driver. The NVM driver can scale-up the physical capacity a particular number of times to generate a “scaled physical capacity,” which is then reported to the file system. Because the scaled physical capacity is greater than the NVM's actual physical capacity, the file system allocates a logical space to the NVM that is substantially greater than the NVM's capacity. This can cause less crowding of the logical block addresses within the logical space, thus making it easier for the file system to operate and improving system performance. A commitment budget can also be reported to the file system that corresponds to the NVM's physical capacity, and which can define the amount of data the file system can commit for storage in the NVM.

Abstract translation: 这可以涉及处理在基本上完整的存储器上操作的非易失性存储器（“NVM”）。 非易失性存储器可以向NVM驱动程序报告其物理容量。 NVM驱动程序可以将物理容量放大特定次数，以生成“缩放的物理容量”，然后将其报告给文件系统。 由于缩放的物理容量大于NVM的实际物理容量，所以文件系统为NVM分配了大大超过NVM容量的逻辑空间。 这可能导致逻辑空间内的逻辑块地址拥挤较少，从而使得文件系统更容易操作并提高系统性能。 承诺预算也可以报告给对应于NVM物理容量的文件系统，并且可以定义文件系统可以在NVM中进行存储的数据量。

公开(公告)号：US09383808B2

公开(公告)日：2016-07-05

申请号：US14448085

申请日：2014-07-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Nir J. Wakrat ,  Kenneth L. Herman ,  Matthew J. Byom

IPC: G06F1/00 ,  G06F1/32

CPC classification number: G06F1/3268 ,  G06F1/3203 ,  G06F1/3225 ,  G06F1/3237 ,  G06F1/324 ,  Y02D10/126

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically allocating power for a system having non-volatile memory. A power budgeting manager of a system can determine if the total amount of power available for the system is below a pre-determined power level (e.g., a low power state). While the system is operating in the low power state, the power budgeting manager can dynamically allocate power among various components of the system (e.g., a processor and non-volatile memory).

Abstract translation: 公开了用于为具有非易失性存储器的系统动态分配功率的系统和方法。 系统的功率预算管理器可以确定系统可用的总功率是否低于预定功率电平（例如，低功率状态）。 当系统工作在低功率状态时，功率预算管理器可以在系统的各个组件（例如，处理器和非易失性存储器）之间动态分配功率。

公开(公告)号：US09146821B2

公开(公告)日：2015-09-29

申请号：US14267277

申请日：2014-05-01

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Matthew J. Byom ,  Nir J. Wakrat

IPC: G06F11/00 ,  G06F11/20 ,  G06F11/07 ,  G06F12/02

CPC classification number: G06F11/2094 ,  G06F11/073 ,  G06F11/0757 ,  G06F11/076 ,  G06F11/0793 ,  G06F12/0246 ,  G06F2212/7204 ,  G06F2212/7211

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring the time it takes to perform a write operation, and based on the time it takes, a determination is made whether to retire a block that is a recipient of the write operation. The time duration of the write operation for a page or a combination of pages may indicate whether any block or blocks containing the page or combination of pages is experiencing a physical failure. That is, if the time duration of the write operation for a particular page exceeds time threshold, this may indicate that this page requires a larger number of program cycles than other pages. The longer programming cycle can be an indication of cell leakage or a failing block.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于监视执行写入操作所花费的时间的系统和方法，并且基于所花费的时间，确定是否退出作为写入操作的接收者的块。 页面或页面组合的写入操作的持续时间可以指示包含页面或页面组合的任何块或块是否正在经历物理故障。 也就是说，如果特定页面的写入操作的持续时间超过时间阈值，则这可能表示该页面需要比其他页面更多的编程周期。 更长的编程周期可以表示单元泄漏或故障块。

公开(公告)号：US20150227460A1

公开(公告)日：2015-08-13

申请号：US14693260

申请日：2015-04-22

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Daniel J. Post ,  Nir J. Wakrat

IPC: G06F12/02 ,  G06F12/14

CPC classification number: G06F12/0246 ,  G06F3/061 ,  G06F3/0613 ,  G06F3/0656 ,  G06F3/0659 ,  G06F3/0679 ,  G06F3/068 ,  G06F12/1408 ,  G06F13/1673 ,  G06F21/71 ,  G06F21/79 ,  G06F2212/1052 ,  Y02D10/14

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for efficient buffering for a system having non-volatile memory (“NVM”). In some embodiments, a control circuitry of a system can use heuristics to determine whether to perform buffering of one or more write commands received from a file system. In other embodiments, the control circuitry can minimize read energy and buffering overhead by efficiently re-ordering write commands in a queue along page-aligned boundaries of a buffer. In further embodiments, the control circuitry can optimally combine write commands from a buffer with write commands from a queue. After combining the commands, the control circuitry can dispatch the commands in a single transaction.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于具有非易失性存储器（“NVM”）的系统的有效缓冲的系统和方法。 在一些实施例中，系统的控制电路可以使用启发式方法来确定是否执行从文件系统接收的一个或多个写入命令的缓冲。 在其他实施例中，控制电路可以通过在缓冲器的页对准边界中有效地重新排序队列中的写入命令来最小化读取能量和缓冲开销。 在另外的实施例中，控制电路可以最佳地组合来自缓冲器的写入命令与来自队列的写入命令。 在组合命令之后，控制电路可以在单个事务中分派命令。

公开(公告)号：US20140344609A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-20

申请号：US14448085

申请日：2014-07-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Nir J. Wakrat ,  Kenneth L. Herman ,  Matthew J. Byom

IPC: G06F1/32

CPC classification number: G06F1/3268 ,  G06F1/3203 ,  G06F1/3225 ,  G06F1/3237 ,  G06F1/324 ,  Y02D10/126

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically allocating power for a system having non-volatile memory. A power budgeting manager of a system can determine if the total amount of power available for the system is below a pre-determined power level (e.g., a low power state). While the system is operating in the low power state, the power budgeting manager can dynamically allocate power among various components of the system (e.g., a processor and non-volatile memory).

Abstract translation: 公开了用于为具有非易失性存储器的系统动态分配功率的系统和方法。 系统的功率预算管理器可以确定系统可用的总功率是否低于预定功率电平（例如，低功率状态）。 当系统工作在低功率状态时，功率预算管理器可以在系统的各个组件（例如，处理器和非易失性存储器）之间动态分配功率。

公开(公告)号：US09472285B2

公开(公告)日：2016-10-18

申请号：US14204162

申请日：2014-03-11

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Matthew J. Byom ,  Nir J. Wakrat ,  Kenneth L. Herman

IPC: G06F9/44 ,  G11C16/06 ,  G11C29/08 ,  G11C29/12 ,  G11C16/04

CPC classification number: G11C16/06 ,  G11C16/04 ,  G11C29/08 ,  G11C29/12 ,  G11C2029/1206

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for testing a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory. The non-volatile memory may be virtually partitioned into a test region and a general purpose region. A test application may be stored in the general purpose region, and the test application can be executed to run a test of the memory locations in the test region. The results of the test may be stored in the general purpose region. At the completion of the test, the test results may be provided from the general purpose region and displayed to a user. The virtual partitions may be removed prior to shipping the electronic device for distribution.

Abstract translation: 提供了系统和方法来测试诸如闪存之类的非易失性存储器。 非易失性存储器可以被虚拟地分割成测试区域和通用区域。 测试应用可以存储在通用区域中，并且可以执行测试应用以对测试区域中的存储器位置进行测试。 测试结果可以存储在通用区域中。 在测试完成时，测试结果可以从通用区域提供并显示给用户。 虚拟分区可以在运送电子设备以进行分发之前被移除。