Sector failure prediction method and related system

摘要

A method and system is disclosed for identification and removal of a memory sector prone to failure. The method performs satisfaction checks on the memory sector and monitors and stores returned Unsatisfied Checks (USC) for analysis by a pattern recognition algorithm. Once a first global iteration is pattern matched with a second global iteration from the sector, the method determines the period of the repetitive pattern. The method then identifies, as the sector prone to failure, the sector having the defined pattern and period. Once identified, the method uses a power management scheme to remove the sector prone to failure from further use by the memory system and displays to a user the details of the action taken.

主权项

1. A method for identification of a sector prone to failure, comprising:
performing a satisfaction check on at least one sector; receiving an indication of a satisfied check; receiving and storing an indication of an unsatisfied check; storing a location of the unsatisfied check and a number of unsatisfied checks, for each one of a plurality of local iterations; storing the location of the unsatisfied check and the number of unsatisfied checks for each one of a plurality of global iterations, one global iteration being equal to 10 local iterations; analyzing the number and location of the unsatisfied checks between a first global iteration and at least one other global iteration; determining if a periodic pattern exists between the number and location of the unsatisfied checks in the first global iteration and number and location of the unsatisfied checks in the at least one other global iteration; identifying, as the sector prone to failure, a sector having a determined periodic pattern; removing the identified sector from further use; and reporting, to a user via a display, the number and location of the unsatisfied checks for the identified sector.