Logging mechanism for memory system
AssigneeSK hynix Inc.
InventorsAlexander Zapotylok, Andrei Konan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Techniques to more readily identify issues that arise in connection with memory systems and streamline the analysis process. A detailed activity log is generate with corresponding start and stop traffic events to facilitate identification of problems in memory devices. Each event registered in the log includes numerous items of information. The information facilitates identifying the origin of a particular problem including when and where it occurred, thus making failure analysis (FA) both easier and faster.
Claims18
A method of operating a memory controller to detect activity in a memory device associated with the memory controller, the method comprising:
- detecting a start traffic event that defines a start of receiving a set of commands at the memory device from a host, wherein a host interface connects the host to the memory device;
- registering the start traffic event in an activity log;
- detecting, after the start traffic event, a specific period of lull time, after a last command of the set of commands is fetched by the memory controller, in which no commands were received from the host;
- and
- registering in the activity log a stop traffic event after the specific period of lull time elapses in which no commands were received from the host,
- wherein the specific period of the lull time elapsed exceeds a time set for the last command.
A memory system comprising:
- a memory device;
- and
- a memory controller configured to detect activity in the memory device associated with the memory controller, the memory controller including a logger configured to:
- detect a start traffic event that defines a start of receiving a set of commands at the memory device from a host, wherein a host interface connects the host to the memory device;
- register the start traffic event in an activity log;
- detect, after the start traffic event, a specific period of lull time, after a last command of the set of commands is fetched by the memory controller, in which no commands were received from the host;
- and
- register in the activity log a stop traffic event after the specific period of lull time elapses in which no commands were received from the host,
- wherein the specific period of the lull time elapsed exceeds a time set for the last command.
A method of operating a memory controller to detect activity in a memory device associated with the memory controller, the method comprising:
- detecting multiple start traffic events, each of which defines a start of receiving a corresponding set of commands at the memory device from a host, wherein a host interface connects the host to the memory device;
- registering each of the multiple start traffic events in an activity log;
- detecting, after each start traffic event, a specific period of lull time, after a last command of the set of commands is fetched by the memory controller, in which no commands were received from the host;
- and
- registering in the activity log multiple stop traffic events, each being registered after the corresponding specific period of lull time elapses in which no commands were received from the host,
- wherein the specific period of the lull time elapsed exceeds a time set for the last command.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.