Power off controllers and memory storage apparatus including the same and methods for operating the same
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorJeong-Hyon Yoon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Memory storage apparatus include a non-volatile memory for storing data and a power management unit configured to sense a level of an external power supply and to predict a loss of the external power supply. A power-polling time control circuit is configured to control a time when a voltage level sourced from the external power supply is reduced below a predetermined level after loss of the external power supply. A control logic controls read and/or write operations of the non-volatile memory responsive to a prediction of loss of the external power supply from the power management unit.
Claims20
A memory storage apparatus comprising:
- a non-volatile memory for storing data;
- a power management unit configured to sense a level of an external power supply and to predict a loss of the external power supply;
- a power-polling time control circuit configured to control a time when a voltage level sourced from the external power supply is reduced below a predetermined level after loss of the external power supply;
- and
- a control logic that controls read and/or write operations of the non-volatile memory responsive to a prediction of loss of the external power supply from the power management unit.
A power off controller for a memory storage apparatus, comprising:
- a power management unit configured to sense a level of an input from an external power supply and generate a power loss prediction signal responsive to the sensed level, the input being provided as a power source to a memory of the memory storage apparatus;
- a power-polling time control circuit configured to control a rate at which the level of the input decreases after loss of the external power supply;
- and
- a control logic that controls a read and/or a write operation of the memory, the control logic being configured to control a current read and/or write operation of the memory responsive to the power loss prediction signal to allow completion of the current read and/or write operation before the level of the input decrease below a minimum level associated with operation of the memory.
A method for controlling operation of a memory storage apparatus after loss of an external power supply of the apparatus, the method comprising:
- detecting a level of an input of the memory storage apparatus configured to couple to the external power supply;
- generating a power loss prediction signal when the detected level falls below a predetermined level, the predetermined level being less than a normal level of the external power supply and greater than a minimum voltage level at which the memory storage apparatus is operated;
- controlling a rate of decrease of a level of a power input to a non-volatile memory of the memory storage apparatus generated from external power supply after a loss of the external power supply;
- and
- controlling a current read and/or write operation of the non-volatile memory responsive to the power loss prediction signal so that the current read and/or write operation will not cause a data error in the non-volatile memory due to loss of the external power supply.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.