Scheduling requests in a solid state memory device

摘要

An apparatus and method for a memory controller for managing scheduling requests in a solid state memory device. The memory includes a set of units wherein a unit within the set of units is erasable as a whole by a unit reclaiming process resulting in a free unit available for writing data to. The memory controller further includes a first queue for queuing user requests for reading and/or writing data from/to the memory, and a second queue for queuing unit reclaiming requests for executing the unit reclaiming process. A scheduler is provided for selecting user requests from the first queue and unit reclaiming requests from the second queue for execution according to a defined ratio. The defined ratio is a variable ratio, is dependent on the current number of free units, and permits the memory controller to select requests from both the first queue and the second queue.

主权项

1. Memory controller for managing a memory, the memory controller comprising:
a first queue for queuing user requests which includes either reading data, writing data or reading and writing data from or to the memory; a second queue for queuing unit reclaiming requests for executing a unit reclaiming process; and a scheduler for admitting the unit reclaiming requests joining the second queue only if the current number of free units is less than the first threshold.