Adaptive use of multiple channels in a storage device
More efficient memory device usage is possible by altering the memory device management. For example, when the full storage capacity of the memory device will not be used, certain portions of the memory device can be shut off and then turned on when the storage capacity is needed. When less capacity is needed, data can be consolidated and certain portions of the memory device can be shut off. Additionally, rather than operating in multilevel cell (MLC) memory, the memory device can start in single level cell (SLC) memory and transition to MLC memory over time. If there is a determination that less memory is needed, the memory device can transition from MLC memory to SLC memory. In so doing, the storage capacity of the memory device is more appropriately utilized.
1. A data storage device, comprising:
a memory device; and
a controller coupled to the memory device, wherein the controller includes a plurality of channels, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels is coupled to at least one die of the memory device, wherein the controller is configured to:
configure an entirety of the memory device as single level cell (SLC) memory;
analyze a usage of the memory device, wherein the usage comprises a use percentage of a total capacity of the memory device during a predetermined period of time;
detect an increase in need for memory device capacity based on the analyzing, wherein the increase in need for memory device capacity is detected if the use percentage is greater than one-third;
open an additional number of channels of the plurality of channels;
determine whether the increase in need for memory device capacity occurs when the entirety of the memory device is configured as SLC memory; and
convert at least a portion of the SLC memory to multilevel cell (MLC) memory if the increase in need for memory device capacity occurs when the entirety of the memory device is configured as SLC memory.
2. The data storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a capacity control module configured to perform the detection.
3. The data storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to rewrite a portion of data from SLC memory to MLC memory.
4. The data storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to detect a decrease in need for memory device capacity.
5. The data storage device of claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to convert the portion of MLC memory to SLC memory.
6. The data storage device of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to relocate data from MLC memory to SLC memory in response to the converting.
7. The data storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to execute a rebalancing management operation after the converting and the opening, wherein the rebalancing management operation comprises rewriting data written to the memory device to at least one die coupled to any channel of the additional number of channels.
8. The data storage device of claim 7 , wherein the rebalancing management operation occurs as a background operation.
9. The data storage device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to prioritize opening the additional number of channels over the converting.
10. A data storage device, comprising:
means to store data; and
a controller coupled to the means to store data, wherein the controller comprises a plurality of channels, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels is coupled to at least one die of the means to store data, and wherein the controller is configured to:
determine a past usage trend of the means to store data, wherein the past usage comprises a use percentage of a total capacity of the means to store data during a predetermined period of time;
detect an increase in need for capacity of the means to store data, wherein the increase in need for capacity of the means to store data is detected if the use percentage is greater than one-third;
open a number of channels of the plurality of channels;
convert single level cell (SLC) memory to multilevel cell (MLC) memory;
convert MLC memory to SLC memory; and
adaptively modify properties of the means to store data and the plurality of channels operating between the controller and the means to store data according to the past usage trend, wherein the adaptively modifying comprises:
determining whether the increase in need for capacity of the means to store data occurs when an entirety of the means to store data is configured as SLC memory;
changing a portion of the means to store data from SLC memory to MLC memory if the increase in need for capacity of the means to store data occurs when the entirety of the means to store data is configured as SLC memory;
changing a portion of the means to store data from MLC memory to SLC memory;
opening an additional channel of the plurality of channels; and
closing a channel of the plurality of channels.
11. The data storage device of claim 10 , wherein the adaptive modifying occurs as a background operation.
12. The data storage device of claim 10 , wherein the controller comprises a capacity control module configured to monitor means for data storage usage trends.