Abstract: A method and system for storage address re-mapping in a multi-bank memory is disclosed. The method includes allocating logical addresses in blocks of clusters and re-mapping logical addresses into storage address space, where short runs of host data dispersed in logical address space are mapped in a contiguous manner into megablocks in storage address space. Independently in each bank, valid data is flushed within each respective bank from blocks having both valid and obsolete data to make new blocks available for receiving data in each bank of the multi-bank memory when an available number of new blocks falls below a desired threshold within a particular bank.

Abstract: Techniques for managing data in a non-volatile memory system (e.g., Flash Memory) are disclosed. A controller can use information relating to a host's file system, which is stored by the host on non-volatile memory, to determine if one or more clusters (or sectors with clusters) are currently allocated. The controller can use the information relating to the host's file system to identify when the host is sending data to the next free cluster and to store such data in a sequential format by copying data from other locations in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A multi-later memory and method for operation is disclosed. The memory includes three or more layers, where each layer is made up of flash memory cells having a greater bit per cell storage capacity than then prior layer. The method may include the steps of directing host data directly into a first or second layer of the multi-layer memory upon receipt depending on a condition of the data. The method may also include copying data within a respective layer in a data relocation operation to generate more free blocks of memory so that data preferably stays within each layer, as well as transferring data from one layer to the next higher bit per cell layer when layer transfer criteria are met.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for writing data to non-volatile memory include maintaining one or more lists of obsolete blocks of the non-volatile memory and limiting the lists to a predetermined value. If a write operation would result in a list exceeding its predetermined value, a block erase operation is performed on one of the obsolete blocks. Valid data contained in an obsolete block selected for erasure is relocated prior to erasure.

Abstract: A hybrid non-volatile system uses non-volatile memories based on two or more different non-volatile memory technologies in order to exploit their relative advantages. In an exemplary embodiment, the memory system includes a controller and a flash memory, where the controller has a non-volatile RAM based on an alternate technology such as FeRAM. The flash memory is used for the storage of user data and the non-volatile RAM in the controller is used for system control data. The use of an alternate non-volatile memory technology in the controller allows for a non-volatile copy of the most recent control data to be accessed more quickly as it can be updated on a bit by bit basis. In another exemplary embodiment, the alternate non-volatile memory is used as a cache where data can safely be staged prior to its being written to the memory or read back to the host.

Abstract: A system and integrated circuit chips used in the system utilize a bus in the form of a ring to interconnect nodes of individual components for transfer of data and commands therebetween. An example system described is a memory having one or more re-programmable non-volatile memory cell arrays connected to each other and to a system controller by a ring bus.

Abstract: A memory system that is compatible with hosts using different protocols includes protocol adapters for the different protocols. Protocol adapters allow a common backend system to be used for data that is provided in different formats. A protocol adapter generates responses to a host and generates commands for a backend as appropriate.

Abstract: A multi-later memory and method for operation is disclosed. The memory includes three or more layers, where each layer is made up of flash memory cells having a greater bit per cell storage capacity than then prior layer. The method may include the steps of directing host data directly into a first or second layer of the multi-layer memory upon receipt depending on a condition of the data. The method may also include copying data within a respective layer in a data relocation operation to generate more free blocks of memory so that data preferably stays within each layer, as well as transferring data from one layer to the next higher bit per cell layer when layer transfer criteria are met.

Abstract: In a nonvolatile memory with block management system that supports update blocks with non-sequential logical units, an index of the logical units in a non-sequential update block is buffered in RAM and stored periodically into the nonvolatile memory. In one embodiment, the index is stored in a block dedicated for storing indices. In another embodiment, the index is stored in the update block itself. In yet another embodiment, the index is stored in the header of each logical unit. In another aspect, the logical units written after the last index update but before the next have their indexing information stored in the header of each logical unit. In this way, after a power outage, the location of recently written logical units can be determined without having to perform a scanning during initialization. In yet another aspect, a block is managed as partially sequential and partially non-sequential, directed to more than one logical subgroup.

Abstract: In a non-volatile memory array, scheduling of reclaim operations to occur before a shortage of erased blocks arises avoids extended periods of reclaim that could exceed a time limit. A memory controller uses information regarding the data stored in the memory array to estimate the additional host data that may be programmed and the reclaim operations to be performed and schedules the reclaim operations to be evenly distributed between write operations until the memory is full.

Abstract: Files that are mapped to a logical address range by a host become logically fragmented prior to being sent to a memory system. Subsequently, the logically fragmented portions are reassembled when they are stored in blocks in the memory system. The host supplies information to the memory system regarding file-to-logical mapping of data prior to sending the data. The memory selects storage locations for the data based on the files to which the data belong.

Abstract: The present invention presents a hybrid non-volatile system that uses non-volatile memories based on two or more different non-volatile memory technologies in order to exploit the relative advantages of each these technology with respect to the others. In an exemplary embodiment, the memory system includes a controller and a flash memory, where the controller has a non-volatile RAM based on an alternate technology such as FeRAM. The flash memory is used for the storage of user data and the non-volatile RAM in the controller is used for system control data used by the control to manage the storage of host data in the flash memory. The use of an alternate non-volatile memory technology in the controller allows for a non-volatile copy of the most recent control data to be accessed more quickly as it can be updated on a bit by bit basis.

Abstract: In a nonvolatile memory system that includes a block-erasable memory array, records are individually maintained for certain classifications of blocks. One or more lists may be maintained for the blocks, an individual list ordered according to a descriptor value. Such ordered lists allow rapid identification of a block by descriptor value.

Abstract: In a nonvolatile memory system that includes a block-erasable memory array, records are individually maintained for certain classifications of blocks. One or more lists may be maintained for the blocks, an individual list ordered according to a descriptor value. Such ordered lists allow rapid identification of a block by descriptor value.

Abstract: In a nonvolatile memory with block management system that supports update blocks with non-sequential logical units, an index of the logical units in a non-sequential update block is buffered in RAM and stored periodically into the nonvolatile memory. In one embodiment, the index is stored in a block dedicated for storing indices. In another embodiment, the index is stored in the update block itself. In yet another embodiment, the index is stored in the header of each logical unit. In another aspect, the logical units written after the last index update but before the next have their indexing information stored in the header of each logical unit. In this way, after a power outage, the location of recently written logical units can be determined without having to perform a scanning during initialization. In yet another aspect, a block is managed as partially sequential and partially non-sequential, directed to more than one logical subgroup.

Abstract: In a memory system having multiple erase blocks in multiple planes, a selected number of erase blocks are programmed together as an adaptive metablock. The number of erase blocks in an adaptive metablock is chosen according to the data to be programmed. Logical address space is divided into logical groups, a logical group having the same size as one erase block. Adaptive logical blocks are formed from logical groups. One adaptive logical block is stored in one adaptive metablock.

Abstract: In a non-volatile memory array, scheduling of reclaim operations to occur before a shortage of erased blocks arises avoids extended periods of reclaim that could exceed a time limit. A memory controller uses information regarding the data stored in the memory array to estimate the additional host data that may be programmed and the reclaim operations to be performed and schedules the reclaim operations to be evenly distributed between write operations until the memory is full.

Abstract: Techniques for managing data in a non-volatile memory system (e.g., Flash Memory) are disclosed. A controller can use information relating to a host's filing system, which is stored by the host on non-volatile memory, to determine if one or more clusters (or sectors with clusters) are currently allocated. The controller can use the information relating to the host's filing system to ensure that one or more clusters (or one or more sectors within a cluster) are not copied from one location to another location in the memory during a garbage collection cycle. As a result, some unnecessary operations (e.g., copying data) which are conventionally performed can be avoided and system performance can be enhanced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for writing data to non-volatile memory include maintaining one or more lists of obsolete blocks of the non-volatile memory and limiting the lists to a predetermined value. If a write operation would result in a list exceeding its predetermined value, a block erase operation is performed on one of the obsolete blocks. Valid data contained in an obsolete block selected for erasure is relocated prior to erasure.

Abstract: Data in data runs are stored in a non-volatile memory array in adaptive metablocks that are configured according to the locations of data boundaries. A serial flash buffer is used to store some data, while other data are directly stored in non-volatile memory. Data may be stored with alignment to data boundaries during updating of the data to improve efficiency of subsequent updates.