System and method for distributed computing in non-volatile memory

摘要

A system and method are disclosed for incorporating mathematical and/or logical functionality within a memory system (such as a solid state drive (SSD)). The mathematical and/or logical functionality may comprise an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The ALU may be resident in one or both of flash memory chips or the SSD controller. When resident in the flash memory chips, a single ALU or multiple ALUs may be used. For example, a single ALU may be assigned to one, some, or each block of flash memory within the flash memory chip. As another example, an ALU may be assigned to a sub-block construct, such as to each bit line in the block. Having ALUs resident in the SSD enables more processing to be performed within the SSD and reduces the need to transmit data outside of the SSD for processing.

主权项

1. A solid state drive (SSD) comprising:
an SSD controller comprising an SSD controller arithmetic logic unit (ALU); one or more flash memory chips in communication with the SSD controller, each of the one or more flash memory chips comprising:
flash memory; anda controller including mathematical computation functionality or logic functionality, wherein the SSD controller is configured to:
receive a write command from the host device, the write command comprising one or more values;in response to receiving the write command, send a write instruction to the one or more flash memory chips to store the one or more values in the flash memory, wherein the SSD controller is further configured to:
receive a command from the host device;in response to receiving the command, send an instruction to the one or more flash memory chips, wherein the one or more flash memory chips are configured to:
responsive to receiving the instruction, use the mathematical computation functionality or the logic functionality of the controller on the one or more values previously stored in the flash memory of the flash memory chip in order to generate one or more results; andsend at least a part of the one or more results or an indication of the one or more results to the SSD controller, wherein the flash memory comprises a silicon substrate and a plurality of memory cells forming at least two memory layers vertically disposed with respect to each other to form a monolithic three-dimensional structure, wherein at least one memory layer is vertically disposed with respect to the silicon substrate.