Abstract: A storage system allocates single-level cell (SLC) blocks in its memory to act as a write buffer and/or a read buffer. When the storage system uses the SLC blocks as a read buffer, the storage system reads data from multi-level cell (MLC) blocks in the memory and stores the data in the read buffer prior to receiving a read command from a host for the data. When the storage system uses the SLC blocks as a write buffer, the storage system retains certain data in the write buffer while other data is flushed from the write buffer to MLC blocks in the memory.

Abstract: A storage system and method for host memory access are provided. In one embodiment, a storage system is configured to receive a write command from a host that is recognized by the storage system as a read host memory command and receive a read command from the host that is recognized by the storage system as a write host memory command. This provides a communication channel that allows the storage system to access the host memory. The storage system can use the host memory as a backup write cache and/or to stream data of different types stored in different areas of the host memory. Hibernation can be avoided, and timeout delays can be ignored. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A storage system and method for host memory access are provided. In one embodiment, a storage system is configured to receive a write command from a host that is recognized by the storage system as a read host memory command and receive a read command from the host that is recognized by the storage system as a write host memory command. This provides a communication channel that allows the storage system to access the host memory. The storage system can use the host memory as a backup write cache and/or to stream data of different types stored in different areas of the host memory. Hibernation can be avoided, and timeout delays can be ignored. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: Data may be read from a data storage device using host performance booster (HPB). An encoded HPB entry in a read command provides the PBA (Physical Block Address) as well as the run length. The LBA (Logical Block Address), PBA, and run length are placed in an HPB read buffer table. The HPB read buffer table is located in the host device. When the read command is received by the data storage device, the data storage device reads the LBA, transfer length, and HPB entry from the read command. The HPB entry contains the PBA for the LBA as well as the run length for the data to be read. For non-sequential reads, the HPB contains the LBA, transfer length, and reference to a write buffer table that is stored in the data storage device.

Abstract: Technology for detecting a capability set of a removable integrated circuit card, such as a removable memory card, is disclosed. The removable integrated circuit card has one or more capability pads that indicate a capability set of the removable integrated circuit card. The physical condition may be a physical configuration of one or more capability pads, such as size or location of a capability pad. A host device is able to determine the capability set of the removable integrated circuit card based on the physical condition of the capability pads. The host device may determine the capability set without the card being powered on, without reading a register in the card, or without exchanging commands with the card.

Abstract: A hybrid command is proposed for interacting with a non-volatile memory device. The hybrid command enables a host connected to the non-volatile memory device to both send and receive data using a single command, which removes the need to use separate commands for sending and receiving. Using the one command rather than separate commands increases system performance.

Abstract: Data may be read from a data storage device using host performance booster (HPB). An encoded HPB entry in a read command provides the PBA (Physical Block Address) as well as the run length. The LBA (Logical Block Address), PBA, and run length are placed in an HPB read buffer table. The HPB read buffer table is located in the host device. When the read command is received by the data storage device, the data storage device reads the LBA, transfer length, and HPB entry from the read command. The HPB entry contains the PBA for the LBA as well as the run length for the data to be read. For non-sequential reads, the HPB contains the LBA, transfer length, and reference to a write buffer table that is stored in the data storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a Replay Protected Memory Block (RPMB) formed in a plurality of non-volatile memory cells. Control circuitry is configured to authenticate access to the RPMB with a plurality of keys. Authentication of write access to the RPMB is through a write key and authentication of read access to the RPMB is through a read key.

Abstract: A storage system and method for host memory access are provided. In one embodiment, a storage system is provided comprising a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a write command from the host that is recognized by the storage system as a read host memory command; in response to receiving the write command, send an identification of a location in the host memory to the host; and receive, from the host, data that is stored in the location in the host memory. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: Technology for detecting a capability set of a removable integrated circuit card, such as a removable memory card, is disclosed. The removable integrated circuit card has one or more capability pads that indicate a capability set of the removable integrated circuit card. The physical condition may be a physical configuration of one or more capability pads, such as size or location of a capability pad. A host device is able to determine the capability set of the removable integrated circuit card based on the physical condition of the capability pads. The host device may determine the capability set without the card being powered on, without reading a register in the card, or without exchanging commands with the card.

Abstract: A storage system and method for thin provisioning are provided. In one embodiment, a storage system is provided comprising a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to provide a logical exported capacity of the memory to a host, wherein the logical exported capacity is greater than an actual storage capacity of the memory; receive a command from the host to write data to a logical address; determine whether there is available actual storage capacity in the memory to write the data; and write the data to a physical address in memory that corresponds to the logical address only if it is determined that there is available actual storage capacity in the memory to write the data. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A method of sending a command from a slave storage device to a master host includes receiving an initial command from the master host. A callback response containing a requested command triggered by the initial command is sent by the slave storage device. In one embodiment, the master host is a Universal Flash Storage (UFS) host and the slave storage device is a UFS storage device. In one embodiment, the initial command is a start stop unit (SSU) command with a power condition field of sleep or powerdown and the requested command is a read buffer command. In another embodiment, the initial command is a start stop unit (SSU) command with a power condition field of active and the requested command is a write buffer command.

Abstract: A hybrid command is proposed for interacting with a non-volatile memory device. The hybrid command enables a host connected to the non-volatile memory device to both send and receive data using a single command, which removes the need to use separate commands for sending and receiving. Using the one command rather than separate commands increases system performance.

Abstract: A data storage device may be configured to direct access to at least a portion of a host memory of a host device. For example, the data storage device may store data at the host memory, such as data predicted to be subject to a read request from the host device. When the data storage device receives a read request from the host device to read the data, the data storage device may send an indication to the host device to enable the host device to read the data directly from the host memory.

Abstract: A memory device is embedded in (or connected to) a host device. The memory device includes a first boot partition and a second boot partition. The first boot partition stores first boot data. The second boot partition stores second boot data. The memory device includes a pointer that points to either the first boot partition or the second boot partition. The memory device transfers the first boot data from the first boot partition in response to receiving a boot signal from the host and the pointer pointing to the first boot partition. The host attempts to boot using the first boot data. If the host does not boot successfully from the first boot data then the host is booted from second boot data transferred from the memory device without the host requesting that the pointer switch to pointing at the second boot data.

Abstract: A method for data protection in a memory system includes receiving, from entity, an address range and a set command, the address range corresponding to at least a portion of a memory partition in the memory system. The method further includes determining whether the entity is an authenticated entity. The method further includes based on the determination of whether the entity is an authenticated entity, setting, using the set command, access characteristics of the portion of the partition corresponding to the address range.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for dynamically assigning apps to non-volatile memory based on monitoring the apps' usage of memory resources. For a memory system having a high endurance section, such as binary (or single level cell, SLC) memory, and a lower endurance section, such as multi-level cell (MLC) memory, an app, including both the code for executing the app and the associated data payload, may initially be stored in the lower endurance section. The memory system monitors the activity of the app for high levels of activity and, if the app is being frequently written, the memory system notifies the host. In response, the host can request the memory system to move the app or just its associated payload to the high endurance section.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed that provides security for data stored in a non-volatile memory device. The non-volatile memory device may be embedded in a host system. The host system may further have a host controller that is configured to obtain a memory access message from an initiator to access the non-volatile memory. The host controller may be further configured to provide the memory access message to the memory controller. The memory access message may contain an identifier of the initiator, which may be verified by the host controller. The memory controller may be configured to access the identifier of the initiator from the memory access message, and grant or deny non-volatile memory access to the initiator based on whether the initiator has access rights to a region of the non-volatile memory to which the initiator seeks access.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for log-based storage for different data types in non-volatile memory. An apparatus may include a non-volatile memory element and a controller. A non-volatile memory element may include a first portion of memory, an intermediate storage, and a second portion of memory. A controller may be configured to receive a plurality of data units. A controller may be configured to classify units of data using a first data type and a second data type. A controller may be configured to store a first unit of data having a first data type in a first portion of memory and a second unit of data having a second data type in intermediate storage. Further, a controller may relocate a second unit of data to a second portion of memory.

Abstract: A storage device with a memory may have a hidden diagnostic partition that can only be accessed during debug or diagnostic mode. Debug or diagnostic mode allows a host device to access the debug or diagnostic analysis (e.g. error logs) stored in the hidden diagnostic partition. By default, the hidden diagnostic partition is invisible to the host. When accessed through a triggering event, such as a vendor specific command (“VSC”), the hidden diagnostic partition can be used to report debug and error events.