Hybrid solid-state memory system having volatile and non-volatile memory
View Patent ↗A hybrid solid-state memory system is provided for storing data. The solid-state memory system comprises a volatile solid-state memory, a non-volatile solid-state memory, and a memory controller. Further, a method is provided for storing data in the solid-state memory system. The method comprises the following steps. A write command is received by the memory controller. Write data is stored in the volatile memory in response to the write command. Data is transferred from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory in response to a data transfer request.
1. A memory system comprising:
a volatile solid-state memory for writing and reading data;
a non-volatile solid-state memory for writing and reading data;
a memory controller for communicating with the volatile memory and non-volatile memory to write and read data in therein, the memory controller being configured:
to receive the data read from the non-volatile memory in response to a data read request;
to provide the received data to the volatile memory to be written thereinto in response to a data write request; and
wherein receiving the data and providing the data are performed by the memory controller in response to a data transfer request that occurs when insufficient space is available in the volatile memory.
2. The solid-state memory system of claim 1 , wherein the memory controller is further configured to:
in response to the data read request and before writing the data to the volatile memory, determine whether the amount of space available in the volatile memory is enough for the data to be written to the volatile memory.
3. The solid-state memory system of claim 2 , wherein the memory controller is further configured to:
transfer, if there is insufficient space, at least a portion of data stored in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory.
4. The solid-state memory system of claim 1 , wherein the volatile and non-volatile memories are coupled to the memory controller via a common bus.
5. The solid-state memory system of claim 1 , wherein the volatile and non-volatile memories are coupled to the memory controller via a plurality of buses, the buses capable of being accessed simultaneously.
6. The solid-state memory system of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of buses is coupled with either the volatile memory or the non-volatile memory.
7. The solid-state memory system of claim 1 , wherein data written to the volatile memory further comprises a tag identifying whether the data is written in response to a read request or a write request.
8. A method for controlling storing data in a solid-state memory system comprising a volatile solid-state memory and a non-volatile solid-state memory, each of the volatile and non-volatile memories being configured to store data and read the stored data, the method comprising:
receiving the data read from the non-volatile memory in response to a data read request;
providing the received data to the volatile memory to be written thereinto in response to a data write request; and
wherein the steps of receiving and providing are performed in response to a data transfer request that occurs when insufficient space is available in the volatile memory.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of
in response to the data read request and before writing the data to the volatile memory, determining whether the amount of space available in the volatile memory is enough for the data to be written to the volatile memory.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of
transferring, if there is insufficient space, at least a portion of data stored in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the data transfer request is in response to a command requesting transfer of all data from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the command requesting transfer of all data comprises a power down command.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the data transfer request is in response to a lack of available space in the volatile memory.
14. A method for controlling storing data in a solid-state memory system comprising a volatile solid-state memory and a non-volatile solid-state memory, each of the volatile and non-volatile memories being configured to store data and read the stored data, the method comprising:
receiving the data read from the non-volatile memory in response to a data read request;
providing the received data to the volatile memory to be written thereinto in response to a data write request;
in response to the data read request and before writing the data to the volatile memory, determining whether the amount of space available in the volatile memory is enough for the data to be written to the volatile memory;
transferring, if there is insufficient space, at least a portion of data stored in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory; and
transferring, if there is insufficient space, at least a portion of data stored in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory;
wherein the steps of receiving and providing are performed in response to a data transfer request, the data transfer request is in response to a lack of available space in the volatile memory, and the data transfer request occurs when the available space in the volatile memory falls below a predefined threshold.
15. A method for controlling storing data in a solid-state memory system comprising a volatile solid-state memory and a non-volatile solid-state memory, each of the volatile and non-volatile memories being configured to store data and read the stored data, the method comprising:
receiving the data read from the non-volatile memory in response to a data read request;
providing the received data to the volatile memory to be written thereinto in response to a data write request;
in response to the data read request and before writing the data to the volatile memory, determining whether the amount of space available in the volatile memory is enough for the data to be written to the volatile memory;
transferring, if there is insufficient space, at least a portion of data stored in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory; and
transferring, if there is insufficient space, at least a portion of data stored in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory;
wherein the steps of receiving and providing are performed in response to a data transfer request, the data transfer request is in response to a lack of available space in the volatile memory, and the data transfer request occurs when there is insufficient available space in the volatile memory to perform a requested command.