System and method for configuring a solid-state storage device with error correction coding

• US 7,210,077 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2004
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Munden, Terrel, Davis, James, Jedwab, Jonathan, Banks, David, Brandenberger, Sarah Morris
• Primary Examiner(s): Baker; Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US10/767,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20050172179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 714/708, 714/773, 714/774
• US Class Current: 714/708
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1012 using codes or arrangements adapted for a specific type of error G06F11/1048 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2029/0409 Online test

Abstract

A system for configuring solid-state storage devices comprises a solid-state storage device and an error correction code (ECC) selection system. The ECC selection system is configured to automatically select a set of error correction code based on an error rate of the storage device. The ECC selection system is further configured to install the selected set of error correction code in the solid-state storage device.

Claims

1. A method for configuring solid-state storage devices, comprising:

providing a solid-state storage device;

analyzing an error rate of said solid-state storage device; and

selecting, based on said error rate, an error correction code power level to provide said solid-state storage device with a pre-determined error rate.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing an intended user application of said solid-state storage device, wherein said selecting is further based on said intended user application.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting further comprises switching a selector lever to select a desired error correction code.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said solid-state storage device comprises a plurality of magnetoresistive storage cells.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a rate of deterioration of said storage device, wherein said selecting is further based on said rate of deterioration.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing said error rate of said solid-state storage device further comprises:

testing said solid-state storage device for defects;

determining said error rate of said solid-state storage device based on said testing; and

comparing said error rate of said solid-state storage device to said pre-determined error rate.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said testing further comprises performing a write-read-compare operation on at least one selected cell.

8. A method for configuring solid-state storage devices, comprising:

determining a value indicative of an error rate for a solid-storage device;

selecting an error correction code based on said value; and

installing said selected error correction code in said solid-state storage device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said selecting is further based on an intended application for said solid-state storage device.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising comparing said value to a pre-determined threshold, wherein said selecting is based on said comparing.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining a value indicative of a rate of deterioration of said storage device; and

comparing, to a threshold, said value indicative of said rate of deterioration,

wherein said selecting is based on said comparing.

12. A system for configuring solid-state storage devices, comprising:

a solid-state storage device; and

an error correction code (ECC) selection system configured to automatically select

an error correction code based on an error rate of said storage device, said ECC selection system further configured to install said selected set-of error correction code in said solid-state storage device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said ECC selection system is further configured to receive information indicative of an intended application for said storage device and to select said error correction code based on said information.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said ECC selection system is configured to determine a value indicative of said error rate and to compare said value to a pre-determined threshold.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said ECC selection system is configured to select said error correction code based on a rate of deterioration of said storage device.

16. A computer-readable medium having a program capable of being executed by an instruction execution system, said program comprising:

logic configured to receive information corresponding to a solid-state storage device;

logic configured to analyze said information corresponding to said solid-state storage device; and

logic configured to select an error correction code for use with said solid-state storage device based on said information received corresponding to said solid-state storage device.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein said information is indicative of an error rate for said storage device.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein said information is further indicative of an intended application for said storage device.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein said information is further indicative of a rate of deterioration for said storage device.

20. A system for configuring solid-state storage devices, comprising:

means for testing a solid-state storage device and for determining a value indicative of an error rate for said storage device;

means for comparing said value to a pre-determined threshold;

means for selecting an error correction code based on said comparing means; and

means for installing said selected error correction code in said storage device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said selecting means is further configured to select said error correction code based on an intended application for said storage device.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein said selecting means is further configured to select said error correction code based on a rate of deterioration for said storage device.