Abstract: Methods and systems for providing sparing tables are described. In one embodiment, at least one media for storing data is received and processed. Processing takes place by identifying burst errors having burst error locations. A determination is made as to whether any of the burst errors can be combined for purposes of entry annotation in a sparing table associated with the media. A sparing table is then configured with entries associated with the burst errors. In an event that a burst error can be combined with at least one other burst error, an entry is provided in the sparing table that reflects one or more burst error combinations.

Abstract: In a data storage and retrieval system, a method and system for exchanging operation parameters between a data storage device and a storage device controller is disclosed. A memory device within the data storage device comprises operation parameter registers, which store operation parameters that are indicative of environmental conditions and characteristics of the memory device itself. The operation parameter registers may be readable and writable. To initiate an exchange of operation parameters, the storage device controller sends a command code indicative of an operation parameter exchange command and designates an address in the operation parameter registers to which operation parameters are to be written or from which operation parameters are to be read.

Abstract: Byte-swapping in a buffer memory system utilizes a byte-swapping register to avoid wasteful unused buffer memory spaces that may result from a data transfer of partial word data, i.e., bytes of data less than the number of bytes in a word, to the buffer memory. When a data transfer request, e.g., a write request, requires a transfer of a partial word, the partial request is written to a word in the buffer memory, and is also stored in the byte-swapping register. In a subsequent data transfer request, the partial word stored in the byte-swapping register is combined and concatenated with sufficient bytes of data of the subsequent data transfer request to produce a complete word. The complete word is written in the word in the buffer memory, replacing the previously stored partial word, and thus fills the previously unused buffer memory space.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a system for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes a host interface that receives from the host device a command to transfer data between the host device and the storage medium, a buffer that temporarily stores data that is transferred between the host device and the storage medium, a first register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that have been transferred into the buffer but that have not yet been transferred out of the buffer, a second register that stores a value for incrementing a value contained in the first register, and a third register that stores a value for decrementing a value contained in the first register.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transferring data and for pausing the transfer of data when certain conditions are met. In one embodiment, an error correcting code (ECC) encoder/decoder reads a codeword from a data storage device and decodes the codeword. The ECC encoder/decoder corrects any correctable errors in the codeword and outputs information regarding the condition of the codeword, such as the number of detected full errors and the number of erasures. The number of full errors is compared with a full error threshold value. When erasures are available, the number of erasures can be compared with an erasure threshold value. Both threshold values may be set at levels below the maximum levels at which errors can still be corrected. When either of the threshold values are exceeded, the transfer of data is paused and a processor is interrupted so that further action may be taken.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage device controller for controlling the operations of the data storage system. The controller includes error-correcting code (ECC) coding and decoding of data stored on media of the data storage system. A Verify procedure of the present invention is performed which verifies the validity of the data written to the media. The Verify procedure runs continuously until an error is detected or until an external event terminates the procedure. By accessing a range of memory addresses in the media and by resetting an address counter to a start of the range of addresses after a last address of the range has been accessed, the Verify procedure continuously checks the memory locations for errors. The range of addresses may include all of the accessible addresses in the data storage device. Additionally, information on the quality of the media may be collected and used to determine how much the media deteriorates over time.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive solid-state storage device (MRAM) employs error correction coding (ECC) to form ECC encoded stored data. A linear error correction block code such as a Reed-Solomon code forms codewords having a plurality of symbols. In almost all cases, a corrected codeword is formed by error correction decoding a read codeword in a standard first decoder arranged to reliably identify and correct up to a predetermined number of failed symbols, or else determine an unrecoverable error. Error correction decoding of the read codeword is then attempted in a stronger second decoder, ideally being a maximum likelihood decoder arranged to form one or more closest corrected codewords.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a method for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes receiving from the host device a command to transfer data between the host device and a storage medium, storing in a first register a value that is correlated to a number of second data units contained in a first data unit, and storing in a second register a value for tracking a number of second data units that are transferred between the host device and a buffer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a system for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes a host interface that receives from a host device a command to transfer data between the host device and the storage medium, a buffer that temporarily stores data that is transferred between the host device and the storage medium, a first register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that are transferred between the buffer and the storage medium, and a second register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that are transferred between the host device and the buffer. A data unit is transferred between the buffer and the storage medium if the value in the first register is within a predetermined range. Similarly, a data unit is transferred between the buffer and the host device if the value in the second register is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a runt block data transfer. A representative system includes a data transfer system having data organized into a plurality of sectors and a host device, a storage medium and a data transfer controller operably configured to couple between a host interface and a storage medium interface. The storage medium has stored thereon a plurality of sectors of data and the host having data organized into a plurality of blocks representing a multiple of sectors, the data transfer controller being configured to request a data transfer of a sector of data, conduct a first retrieval of sectors of data from the storage medium and decrement a counter containing the number of words for the current block size upon the first retrieval, conduct subsequent retrievals until either the counter value is zero or the counter value is less than a value in a register that contains the number of words for the current sector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing sparing tables are described. In one embodiment, at least one media for storing data is received and processed. Processing takes place by identifying burst errors having burst error locations. A determination is made as to whether any of the burst errors can be combined for purposes of entry annotation in a sparing table associated with the media. A sparing table is then configured with entries associated with the burst errors. In an event that a burst error can be combined with at least one other burst error, an entry is provided in the sparing table that reflects one or more burst error combinations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling communication with nonvolatile memory devices via a memory bus are provided. Briefly described, one of many possible embodiments is a system comprising a memory controller in communication with a memory bus, the memory controller configured to control communication with at least one nonvolatile memory device by configuring the at least one nonvolatile memory device, via the memory bus, with a unique device identifier.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive solid-state storage device (MRAM) performs error correction coding (ECC) of stored information. At manufacture or during use, each logical block of ECC encoded data and/or the corresponding set of storage cells are evaluated to determine suitability for continued use, or whether remedial action is necessary. In a first preferred method ECC decoding is attempted to determine whether information is unrecoverable from the block of ECC encoded data. In a second preferred method a parametric evaluation is made prior to attempting ECC decoding.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant magnetoresistive solid-state storage device (MRAM) in use performs error correction coding and decoding of stored information, to tolerate physical defects. At manufacture, the MRAM device is tested to confirm that each set of storage cells is suitable for storing ECC encoded data, using either a parametric evaluation (step 602), or a logical evaluation (step 603) or preferably a combination of both. Failed cells are identified and a count is formed, suitably in terms of ECC symbols 206 that would be affected by such failed cells (step 604). The count can be compared to a threshold (step 605) to determine suitability of the accessed storage cells and a decision made (step 606) on whether to continue with use of those cells, or whether to take remedial action.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive solid-state storage device (MRAM) employs error correction coding (ECC) to form ECC encoded stored data. In a read operation, parametric values are obtained from storage cells 16 of the device and compared to ranges to establish logical bit values, together with erasure information. The erasure information identifies symbols 206 in a block of ECC encoded data 204 which, from the parametric evaluation, are suspected to be affected by physical failures of the storage cells 16. Where the position of suspected failed symbols 206 is known from this erasure information, the ability of a decoder 22 to perform ECC decoding is substantially enhanced.