Abstract: Data is received for storage in at least one memory of a Data Storage Device (DSD) and metadata associated with the received data is generated. The received data and the generated metadata are stored in the at least one memory and the retention of the received data is managed based on the generated metadata.

Abstract: Data is received from a sensing device for storage in at least one memory of a Data Storage Device. It is determined whether to cache the received data in at least one cache memory of the DSD based on at least one of the sensing device sending the data and information related to the received data.

Abstract: Managing data stored in a Data Storage Device (DSD) including a plurality of disk surfaces for storing data. Head mapping information is received from the DSD associating addresses for data with different disk surfaces of the plurality of disk surfaces, and data is stored on a first disk surface of the plurality of disk surfaces. Redundant data for the data stored on the first disk surface is stored on a second disk surface of the plurality of disk surfaces using the head mapping information.

Abstract: A Data Storage Device (DSD) is in communication with a plurality of sensing devices. Data is received for storage in the DSD from a sensing device of the plurality of sensing devices. The received data is associated with at least one storage hint assigned to the sensing device. A media region of the DSD is selected from a plurality of media regions for storing the received data based on the at least one storage hint and at least one characteristic of the media region.

Abstract: Data is received for storage in at least one memory of a Data Storage Device (DSD) and metadata associated with the received data is generated. The received data and the generated metadata are stored in the at least one memory and the retention of the received data is managed based on the generated metadata.

Abstract: Embodiments of compression and formatting of data for data storage systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a data storage system can compress fixed sized data before storing it on a media and format obtained variable sized compressed data for storing on the media that typically has fixed size storage granularity. One or more modules compress the incoming host data and create an output stream of fixed sized storage units that contain compressed data. The storage units are stored on the media. Capacity, reliability, and performance are thereby increased.

Abstract: Embodiments of compression and formatting of data for data storage systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a data storage system can compress fixed sized data before storing it on a media and format obtained variable sized compressed data for storing on the media that typically has fixed size storage granularity. One or more modules compress the incoming host data and create an output stream of fixed sized storage units that contain compressed data. The storage units are stored on the media. Capacity, reliability, and performance are thereby increased.

Abstract: Priority-based garbage collection utilizes attributes of data stored in the non-volatile memory array in order to improve efficiency of garbage collection and of the overall data storage system. A set of low priority data can be selectively evicted from a non-volatile memory array. This can, for example, reduce write amplification associated with garbage collection. Another set of low priority data can be regrouped or consolidated in a different region of the non-volatile memory array. In addition, flushing of data can be performed in order to enhance or optimize garbage collection. Performance and endurance can thereby be improved.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed that varies its caching policy for caching data in non-volatile solid-state memory as the memory degrades. As the non-volatile memory degrades, the caching policy can be varied such that the non-volatile memory is used more as a read cache and less as a write cache. Performance improvements and slower degradation of the non-volatile memory can thereby be attained.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for optimizing handling of data access requests. In one embodiment, a data storage device including non-volatile memory and magnetic media includes a controller that defers writing data to the magnetic media by first writing to the non-volatile memory and reporting to the host a write complete status. However, in cases where the non-volatile memory includes Multi-Level Cell (MLC) memory, if the write data is to be written to an upper page of an MLC cell, a backup power source such as a capacitor may be needed to avoid the paired page corruption problem. Embodiments of the invention avoid the problem without the use of a backup power source by writing deferred write data to a portion of the MLC memory that is operating in Single-Level Cell (SLC) mode, i.e., only the lower pages of the memory cells are written.

Abstract: Embodiments of multiple stream compression and formatting of data for data storage systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a data storage system can compress multiple streams of fixed sized host data before storing it on a media and format obtained variable sized compressed data for storing on the media that typically has fixed size storage granularity. One or more modules compress the incoming host data and create multiple output streams of fixed sized storage units that contain compressed data. The storage units are stored on the media. Capacity, reliability, and performance are thereby increased.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compression, formatting, and migration of data for data storage systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, data repacking can be used in any situation where embedded metadata needs to be accessed, such as during data migration, and where the underlying data is encrypted. In some embodiments, performance is increased because encrypted data is repacked without first performing decryption. In addition, data may also be compressed and repacking can be performed without performing decompression. Advantageously, there is no need to retrieve or wait for the availability of encryption key (or keys) or expand resources in decrypting (and decompressing) data before repacking it and encrypting repacked data. Available capacity for storing user data, reliability, and performance of the data storage system can be increased.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed that varies its caching policy for caching data in non-volatile solid-state memory as the memory degrades. As the non-volatile memory degrades, the caching policy can be varied such that the non-volatile memory is used more as a read cache and less as a write cache. Performance improvements and slower degradation of the non-volatile memory can thereby be attained.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed that varies its data redundancy policy for caching data in non-volatile solid-state memory as the memory degrades. As the non-volatile memory degrades, the redundancy of data stored in the non-volatile memory can be increased to counteract the effects of such degradation. Redundant data can be used to recover data stored in the non-volatile memory in case of a data corruption. Performance improvements and reduced costs of disk drives can thereby be attained.

Abstract: A non-volatile storage subsystem regulates energy consumption by controlling or “throttling” the rate at which memory operations are performed. During relatively idle periods in which few or no memory operations are performed, energy allotments or “counts” are accumulated to reflect unused energy. These accumulated energy counts may then be effectively allocated for use during bursts or other periods of relatively heavy memory activity, such that the memory operations are performed at a relatively high rate without causing a maximum average power consumption to be exceeded.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and methods for dynamic overprovisioning for data storage systems. In one embodiment, a data storage system can reserve a portion of memory, such as non-volatile solid-state memory, for overprovisioning. Depending on various overprovisioning factors, recovered storage space due to compressing user data can be allocated for storing user data and/or overprovisioning. Utilizing the disclosed dynamic overprovisioning systems and methods can result is more efficient utilization of cache memory, reduction of write amplification, increase in a cache hit rate, and the like. Improved data storage system performance and increased endurance and longevity can thereby be attained.

Abstract: Migration of data in a data storage device (DSD). A spindle motor of the DSD is controlled to rotate a disk of the DSD to perform at least one operation on the disk and an operational activity level is determined for performing the at least one operation. It is determined whether the operational activity level is greater than a target level, and if it is determined that the operational activity level is not greater than the target level, data is transferred between a solid state memory of the DSD and the disk while the disk rotates.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to providing detailed error reporting of data operations performed on a NVM storage device. In one embodiment, a controller interfaces with a NVM storage device including NVM storage coupled with a bridge. In one embodiment, the controller is provided physical, page-level access to the NVM via the bridge, and the bridge provides detailed error reporting of the data operations that the bridge performs on the NVM on behalf of the controller. For example, the bridge may provide page level reporting indicating which page(s) failed during a read operation. Detailed error reporting allows the controller to better understand the failures that occurred in a data access operation in the NVM. It also enables the controller to manage the flash media at the physical page/block level. In one embodiment, detailed error reporting also enables the return of discontinuous ranges of data with the error portions removed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a controller architecture that pairs a controller with a NVM (non-volatile memory) storage system over a high-level, high speed interface such as PCIe. In one embodiment, the NVM storage system includes a bridge that communicates with the controller via the high-level interface, and controls the NVM via an interface. The controller is provided a rich set of physical level of controls over individual elements of the NVM. In one embodiment, the controller includes a volatile memory (e.g., DRAM) that stores parameters related to the operation of the NVM as provided by the bridge. The parameters may be related to optimizing use of the NVM and are automatically appended by the controller to appropriate data storage commands to the bridge. The parameters may be stored in a table format in which each entry is indexed by a physical address of the NVM.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a controller architecture that pairs a controller with a NVM (non-volatile memory) storage system over a high-level, high speed interface such as PCIe. In one embodiment, the NVM storage system includes a bridge that communicates with the controller via the high-level interface, and controls the NVM via an interface (e.g., ONFI). The controller is provided a rich set of physical level of controls over individual elements of the NVM. In one embodiment, the controller is implemented in a higher powered processor that supports advanced functions such as mapping, garbage collection, wear leveling, etc. In one embodiment, the bridge is implemented in a lower powered processor and performs basic signal processing, channel management, basic error correction functions, etc. This labor division provides the controller physical control of the NVM over a fast, high-level interface, resulting in the controller managing the NVM at both the page and block level.