Boot data storage schemes for electronic devices

摘要

Systems and methods are provided for storing and retrieving boot data (e.g., a first stage bootloader) in and from a non-volatile memory (“NVM”), such as a NAND flash memory. To increase storage reliability, the boot data may be stored in a subset of the pages in a boot data storage area, such as in only lower pages. The subset may be selected based on the specific operating specifications and characteristics of the NVM. To prevent a boot ROM from having to maintain a NVM-specific map of which pages are used to store boot data, the map may be maintained in the NVM itself. For example, the map may be in the form of a linked list, where each page storing boot data can include a pointer that points to the next page that stores boot data.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a volatile memory; a boot ROM for storing program code to begin loading boot data from non-volatile memory to the volatile memory: a non-volatile memory comprising: a plurality of pages that store boot data for booting up the system; and a map indicating nonconsecutive pages of the non-volatile memory in which the boot data is stored, wherein the map enables execution of the same program code regardless of a manufacturer of the non-volatile memory; control circuitry that:
reads an initial page of boot data based on the boot ROM;reads, from the non-volatile memory, the map to ascertain the location of the boot data stored in the nonconsecutive pages other than the initial page; andloads the boot data from the nonconsecutive pages into the volatile memory using the map.