Abstract: A device that provides error recovery handling includes a processor that is configured to receive an error recovery request including error type information and a page address, where the error type information is mapped to a first error recovery technique. The processor may be configured to determine whether an error count associated with the flash memory circuit satisfies a first criterion and an error map associated with the flash memory circuit satisfies a second criterion, where the error count indicates a number of read errors that have occurred and the error map indicates blocks in which the read errors have occurred. The processor may be configured to utilize a second technique to attempt to recover data when the first and second criterions are satisfied, otherwise utilize the first technique to attempt to recover data, where the second technique is associated with recovering data stored in an offline flash memory circuit.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for retiring computer memory blocks. Two overall schemes are provided for separating poorly functioning blocks from normally functioning blocks. In a first scheme, after data relocation is finished, firmware remembers the old physical memory block. As soon as the system writes to the old physical memory block with new data, firmware issues a read again and receives back a count of error bits. If the returned error bits are still high, then the system identifies the block as being weak and retires the block. In a second scheme, firmware tracks statistics for data relocates, block reads, activity timers, among other statistics. If some blocks have abnormal activities (e.g., too many data relocates, too many reads, etc.), then the system may identify the block as being weak and may retire the physical memory block.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling access commands for a data storage device. A data storage device determines a layout of a plurality of non-volatile memory arrays. The data storage device also determine completed access statistics and pending access statistics for a first set of the plurality of non-volatile memory arrays during a monitoring period. The data storage device further generates a schedule based on the layout of the plurality of non-volatile memory arrays, the completed access statistics, and the pending access statistics and executes access commands based on schedule.

Abstract: A device that provides garbage collection read throttling includes at least one processor that is configured to receive a request to perform a garbage collection read command on one of a plurality of flash memory circuits. The at least one processor is configured to determine whether garbage collection read throttling is enabled, such as when a garbage collection read throttling criterion is satisfied. The at least one processor is configured to buffer the garbage collection read command when garbage collection read throttling is enabled and perform the garbage collection read command when garbage collection read throttling is disabled. When the garbage collection read throttling is enabled and the garbage collection read command is buffered, the at least one processor is configured to perform the buffered garbage collection read command when garbage collection read throttling is subsequently disabled.

Abstract: A solid state drive includes a flash memory, a cache memory, and a controlling unit. The solid state drive is in communication with a host. The flash memory includes a plurality of blocks, wherein each of the blocks has a plurality of pages. The cache memory includes a plurality of cache units. The cache units are allocated into a plurality of groups according to operating statuses of respective cache units. The controlling unit is in communication with the host, the flash memory and the cache memory. Under control of the controlling unit, a write data from the host is temporarily stored in the cache memory so as to be written into the flash memory, or a read data from the flash memory is temporarily stored in the cache memory so as to be provided to the host.

Abstract: A solid state drive includes a flash memory, a cache memory, and a controlling unit. The solid state drive is in communication with a host. The flash memory includes a plurality of blocks, wherein each of the blocks has a plurality of pages. The cache memory includes a plurality of cache units. The cache units are allocated into a plurality of groups according to operating statuses of respective cache units. The controlling unit is in communication with the host, the flash memory and the cache memory. Under control of the controlling unit, a write data from the host is temporarily stored in the cache memory so as to be written into the flash memory, or a read data from the flash memory is temporarily stored in the cache memory so as to be provided to the host.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cache memory of a solid state drive is provided. The solid state drive has a flash memory. The flash memory has a plurality of blocks, wherein each block has a plurality of pages. The method includes the following steps. Firstly, a refreshed data corresponding to a part of original data in a specified page of the flash memory is received and stored into a first cache unit. Then, the original data is read from the specified page, wherein an unrefreshed part of the original data is stored into the first cache unit, and a to-be-refreshed part of the original data is stored into a second cache unit. Afterwards, the refreshed data and the unrefreshed part of the original data in the first cache unit are stored into a blank page of the flash memory.