Abstract: The invention introduces an apparatus for controlling different types of storage units, at least including: an interface and a processing unit. The interface connects at least two types of storage units, which include at least a nonvolatile hybrid memory. The processing unit is configured to operably access data to the different types of storage units through the interface.

Abstract: A method for performing storage space management, an associated data storage device, and a controller thereof are provided. The method includes: receiving an identify controller command from a host device; in response to the identify controller command, returning a reply to the host device to indicate that a plurality of logical block address (LBA) formats are supported, where the plurality of LBA formats are related to access of a non-volatile (NV) memory, and the plurality of LBA formats include a first LBA format and a second LBA format; receiving a first namespace (NS) management command from the host device; in response to the first NS management command, establishing a first NS adopting the first LBA format; receiving a second NS management command from the host device; and in response to the second NS management command, establishing a second NS adopting the second LBA format.

Abstract: A method for performing storage space management, an associated data storage device, and a controller thereof are provided. The method includes: receiving an identify controller command from a host device; in response to the identify controller command, returning a reply to the host device to indicate that a plurality of logical block address (LBA) formats are supported, where the plurality of LBA formats are related to access of a non-volatile (NV) memory, and the plurality of LBA formats include a first LBA format and a second LBA format; receiving a first namespace (NS) management command from the host device; in response to the first NS management command, establishing a first NS adopting the first LBA format; receiving a second NS management command from the host device; and in response to the second NS management command, establishing a second NS adopting the second LBA format.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a processing circuit, a lookup table (LUT), and a decoding circuit. The processing circuit is arranged to receive a first logical block address (LBA) from a host. The LUT is arranged to store a storage address mapping to the first LBA. The decoding circuit is arranged to utilize the storage address to read storage data from a storing circuit, and decode a first data sector in the storage data according to an error checking and correcting code in the storage data, and the first data sector at least comprises a second LBA.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a processing circuit, a lookup table (LUT), and a decoding circuit. The processing circuit is arranged to receive a first logical block address (LBA) from a host. The LUT is arranged to store a storage address mapping to the first LBA. The decoding circuit is arranged to utilize the storage address to read storage data from a storing circuit, and decode a first data sector in the storage data according to an error checking and correcting code in the storage data, and the first data sector at least comprises a second LBA.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for accessing a storage unit of a flash memory, performed by an arbiter, is disclosed to include at least the following steps. After transmitting data to first storage units each connected to one of storage-unit access interfaces in a first batch, the arbiter issues a data write command to each first storage unit, thereby enabling each first storage unit to start a physical data programming. During the physical data programming of each first storage unit, data is transmitted to second storage units each connected to one of the storage-unit access interfaces in a second batch.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a processing circuit, a calculating circuit and an encoding circuit. The processing circuit receives a data byte from a host. The calculating circuit generates a cyclic redundancy check code according to an LBA, and combines the cyclic redundancy check code and the data byte into a data sector so that the data sector includes LBA-related information. The encoding circuit encodes the data sector to generate an error checking and correcting code, and combines the data sector and the error checking and correcting code into a storage data, so that the storage data includes the LBA-related information without including the LBA. Via the data sector and the storage data, the data storage system performs cyclic redundancy checking as well as error checking and correcting without storing the LBA for reducing 1-bit errors; and the LBA-related information does not include part or all of the LBA.

Abstract: A data storage system includes: a processing circuit arranged to receive a data bytes from a host; a calculating circuit arranged to generate a cyclic redundancy check code according to a logical block address, and combine the cyclic redundancy check code and the data bytes to be a data sector; and an encoding circuit arranged to encode the data sector to generate an error checking and correcting code, and combine the data sector and the error checking and correcting code to be a storing data.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a flash memory, a data processing module and a flash memory controller. Corresponding to the operation of a host, the flash memory controller arranges the flash memory to store data, and it stores a mapping table to record the mapping information between the flash memory and the logical address of the host. When the host transmits a trim command to invalidate a specific portion of the mapping table and the host manages to read the data of the specific portion, the flash memory controller sets up a flag to be open so that the data is transmitted to the host without the implement of the data processing module.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a processing circuit, a lookup table (LUT), and a decoding circuit. The processing circuit is arranged to receive a first logical block address (LBA) from a host. The LUT is arranged to store a storage address mapping to the first LBA. The decoding circuit is arranged to utilize the storage address to read storage data from a storing circuit, and decode a first data sector in the storage data according to an error checking and correcting code in the storage data, and the first data sector at least comprises a second LBA.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a flash memory, a data processing module and a flash memory controller. Corresponding to the operation of a host, the flash memory controller arranges the flash memory to store data, and it stores a mapping table to record the mapping information between the flash memory and the logical address of the host. When the host transmits a trim command to invalidate a specific portion of the mapping table and the host manages to read the data of the specific portion, the flash memory controller sets up a flag to be open so that the data is transmitted to the host without the implement of the data processing module.

Abstract: A security mechanism for a data storage device. The data storage device includes a nonvolatile memory and a control unit. The control unit uses a dynamic random access memory at a host side with an encryption mechanism when operating the nonvolatile memory. The control unit protects keys of the encryption mechanism within the data storage device to isolate the keys from the host.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for accessing a storage unit of a flash memory, performed by an arbiter, is disclosed to include at least the following steps. After transmitting data to first storage units each connected to one of storage-unit access interfaces in a first batch, the arbiter issues a data write command to each first storage unit, thereby enabling each first storage unit to start a physical data programming. During the physical data programming of each first storage unit, data is transmitted to second storage units each connected to one of the storage-unit access interfaces in a second batch.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for accessing a storage unit of a flash memory, performed by an arbiter, includes at least the following steps. After transmitting data to first storage units each connected to one of storage-unit access interfaces in a first batch, the arbiter issues a data write command to each first storage unit, thereby enabling each first storage unit to start a physical data programming. During the physical data programming of each first storage unit, data is transmitted to second storage units each connected to one of the storage-unit access interfaces in a second batch.

Abstract: A data storage system includes: a processing circuit arranged to receive a data bytes from a host; a calculating circuit arranged to generate a cyclic redundancy check code according to a logical block address, and combine the cyclic redundancy check code and the data bytes to be a data sector; and an encoding circuit arranged to encode the data sector to generate an error checking and correcting code, and combine the data sector and the error checking and correcting code to be a storing data.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for accessing a storage unit of a flash memory, performed by a processing unit, includes at least the following steps. After all messages within a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disk) group are programmed, it is determined whether a vertical ECC (Error Correction Code) within the RAID group has been generated. The processing unit directs a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller to obtain the vertical ECC from a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and store the vertical ECC to a buffer when the vertical ECC within the RAID group has been generated, thereby enabling the vertical ECC to be programmed to the storage unit.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for accessing a storage unit of a flash memory, performed by a processing unit, includes at least the following steps. After all messages within a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disk) group are programmed, it is determined whether a vertical ECC (Error Correction Code) within the RAID group has been generated. The processing unit directs a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller to obtain the vertical ECC from a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and store the vertical ECC to a buffer when the vertical ECC within the RAID group has been generated, thereby enabling the vertical ECC to be programmed to the storage unit.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for accessing a storage unit of a flash memory, performed by an arbiter, includes at least the following steps. After transmitting data to first storage units each connected to one of storage-unit access interfaces in a first batch, the arbiter issues a data write command to each first storage unit, thereby enabling each first storage unit to start a physical data programming. During the physical data programming of each first storage unit, data is transmitted to second storage units each connected to one of the storage-unit access interfaces in a second batch.

Abstract: A data accessing method applied to a data accessing system, comprising: (a) performing a logic operation to a plurality of data units to generate at least one logic operation data unit; (b) performing an anti logic operation to the logic operation data unit and an other data unit to obtain a recovery data unit wherein the other data unit comprises the data units except a specific data unit in the data units; and (c) replacing the specific data unit with the recovery data unit, when the specific data unit is read and is found having an error.

Abstract: A method for generating an ECC for a flash memory device is provided. The flash memory device only supports flash memories with low-level ECC technology, such as SLC (single-level cell) flash memories. By using a controller with an ECC engine, the flash memory device can directly generate a correct ECC for itself when it reads data from flash memories with high-level ECC technology, such as MLC (multi-layer cell) flash memories. Thus the flash memory device can also support flash memories with high-level ECC technology and reduce the time of reading data.