Abstract: Apparatus and method for storing data in a non-volatile memory (NVM), such as a flash memory in a solid-state drive (SSD). In some embodiments, a distributed storage space of the NVM is defined to extend across a plural number of regions of the NVM. A non-standard parity data set is provided having a plural number of data elements greater than or equal to the plural number of regions in the storage space. The data set is written by storing a first portion of the data elements and a first parity value to the plural number of regions and a remaining portion of the data elements and a second parity value to a subset of the plural number of regions. The regions can comprise semiconductor dies in a flash memory, and the distributed storage space can be a garbage collection unit formed using one erasure block from each flash die.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a data store optimized organized into allocation units sized according to an sequential writing unit or garbage collection unit of the data store. Information is written to the allocation units as either coarse or fine-grained packets, which are packets of data that are self-describing and written together. Random writes received from a host to data already written into allocation units is written to another allocation unit, and a coarse-grained forward map is updated to reflect the physical location of the valid data that superseded data in the allocation unit until the allocation unit can be rewritten. Promotion operations are disclosed to compact data and garbage collect data by rewriting allocation units.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a data store optimized organized into allocation units sized according to an sequential writing unit or garbage collection unit of the data store. Information is written to the allocation units as either coarse or fine-grained packets, which are packets of data that are self-describing and written together. Random writes received from a host to data already written into allocation units is written to another allocation unit, and a coarse-grained forward map is updated to reflect the physical location of the valid data that superseded data in the allocation unit until the allocation unit can be rewritten. Promotion operations are disclosed to compact data and garbage collect data by rewriting allocation units.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing namespaces in a Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) controller environment. A non-volatile memory (NVM) is arranged to store map units (MUs) as addressable data blocks in one or more namespaces. A forward map has a sequence of map unit address (MUA) entries that correlate each of the MUs with the physical locations in the NVM. The MUA entries are grouped into immediately adjacent, contiguous ranges for each of the namespaces. A base MUA array identifies the address, within the forward map, of the beginning MUA entry for each namespace. A new namespace may be added by appending a new range of the MUA entries to the forward map immediate following the last MUA entry, and by adding a new entry to the base MUA array to identify the address, within the forward map, of the beginning MUA entry for the new namespace.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a data store optimized organized into allocation units sized according to an sequential writing unit or garbage collection unit of the data store. Information is written to the allocation units as either coarse or fine-grained packets, which are packets of data that are self-describing and written together. Random writes received from a host to data already written into allocation units is written to another allocation unit, and a coarse-grained forward map is updated to reflect the physical location of the valid data that superseded data in the allocation unit until the allocation unit can be rewritten. Promotion operations are disclosed to compact data and garbage collect data by rewriting allocation units.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a data store optimized organized into allocation units sized according to an sequential writing unit or garbage collection unit of the data store. Information is written to the allocation units as either coarse or fine-grained packets, which are packets of data that are self-describing and written together. Random writes received from a host to data already written into allocation units is written to another allocation unit, and a coarse-grained forward map is updated to reflect the physical location of the valid data that superseded data in the allocation unit until the allocation unit can be rewritten. Promotion operations are disclosed to compact data and garbage collect data by rewriting allocation units.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing namespaces in a Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) controller environment. A non-volatile memory (NVM) is arranged to store map units (MUs) as addressable data blocks in one or more namespaces. A forward map has a sequence of map unit address (MUA) entries that correlate each of the MUs with the physical locations in the NVM. The MUA entries are grouped into immediately adjacent, contiguous ranges for each of the namespaces. A base MUA array identifies the address, within the forward map, of the beginning MUA entry for each namespace. A new namespace may be added by appending a new range of the MUA entries to the forward map immediate following the last MUA entry, and by adding a new entry to the base MUA array to identify the address, within the forward map, of the beginning MUA entry for the new namespace.

Abstract: A device comprising a file management system that includes a plurality of first entries and second entries. The first entries are configured function as a logical block address mapping table for data searching operations on data files stored in data blocks of the device, and the second entries are configured to organize the plurality of data blocks into separate logical groups.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a controlled metal extrusion opening in a semiconductor structure. Various embodiments include a semiconductor structure. The structure includes an aluminum layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer, and a lateral extrusion receiving opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor structure. Additional embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method can include forming an aluminum layer over a titanium layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The method can also include forming an opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A device comprising a file management system that includes a plurality of first entries and second entries. The first entries are configured function as a logical block address mapping table for data searching operations on data files stored in data blocks of the device, and the second entries are configured to organize the plurality of data blocks into separate logical groups.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a controlled metal extrusion opening in a semiconductor structure. Various embodiments include a semiconductor structure. The structure includes an aluminum layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer, and a lateral extrusion receiving opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor structure. Additional embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method can include forming an aluminum layer over a titanium layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The method can also include forming an opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A device comprising a file management system that includes a plurality of first entries and second entries. The first entries are configured function as a logical block address mapping table for data searching operations on data files stored in data blocks of the device, and the second entries are configured to organize the plurality of data blocks into separate logical groups.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a controlled metal extrusion opening in a semiconductor structure. Various embodiments include a semiconductor structure. The structure includes an aluminum layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer, and a lateral extrusion receiving opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor structure. Additional embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method can include forming an aluminum layer over a titanium layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The method can also include forming an opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a controlled metal extrusion opening in a semiconductor structure. Various embodiments include a semiconductor structure. The structure includes an aluminum layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer, and a lateral extrusion receiving opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor structure. Additional embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method can include forming an aluminum layer over a titanium layer. The aluminum layer includes an aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The method can also include forming an opening extending through the aluminum layer adjacent the aluminum island within the aluminum layer. The opening includes a lateral extrusion of the aluminum layer of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Multi-resolution cache monitoring devices and methods are provided. Multi-resolution cache devices illustratively have a cache memory, an interface, an information unit, and a processing unit. The interface receives a request for data that may be included in the cache memory. The information unit has state information for the cache memory. The state information is organized in a hierarchical structure. The process unit searches the hierarchical structure for the requested data.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to data storage systems having multiple cache and to management of cache activity in data storage systems having multiple cache. In a particular embodiment, a data storage device includes a volatile memory having a first read cache and a first write cache, a non-volatile memory having a second read cache and a second write cache and a controller coupled to the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory. The memory can be configured to selectively transfer read data from the first read cache to the second read cache based on a least recently used indicator of the read data and selectively transfer write data from the first write cache to the second write cache based on a least recently written indicator of the write data.

Abstract: Multi-resolution cache monitoring devices and methods are provided. Multi-resolution cache devices illustratively have a cache memory, an interface, an information unit, and a processing unit. The interface receives a request for data that may be included in the cache memory. The information unit has state information for the cache memory. The state information is organized in a hierarchical structure. The process unit searches the hierarchical structure for the requested data.

Abstract: A lightweight hybrid bearing assembly and method of making thereof is disclosed. The bearing assembly includes an inner race and an outer race radially spaced from the inner race. One or both of the inner race and the outer race have a convex bearing surface. Between the inner race and the outer race, a plurality of ceramic roller elements are received. The ceramic roller elements have a concave bearing surface that engages the convex bearing surface or surfaces. Among other things, this accommodates axial misalignment of the races relative to one another.

Abstract: A device comprising a file management system that includes a plurality of first entries and second entries. The first entries are configured function as a logical block address mapping table for data searching operations on data files stored in data blocks of the device, and the second entries are configured to organize the plurality of data blocks into separate logical groups.

Abstract: Stress-modified device structures, methods of fabricating such stress-modified device structures, and design structures for an integrated circuit. An electrical characteristic of semiconductor devices formed on a common substrate, such as the current gains of bipolar junction transistors, may be altered by modifying stresses in structures indirectly on or over, or otherwise indirectly coupled with, the semiconductor devices. The structures, which may be liners for contacts in a contact level of an interconnect, are physically spaced away from, and not in direct physical contact with, the respective semiconductor devices because at least one additional intervening material or structure is situated between the stress-imparting structures and the stress-modified devices.