Highly integrated mass storage device with an intelligent flash controller

摘要

A FLASH controller is disclosed. The controller comprises a USB interface unit. The USB interface unit implements a USB standard that has a bus speed equal or greater than 12 Mb/s. The controller includes an internal bus coupled to the USB interface unit; and a FLASH interface unit coupled to the internal bus. The FLASH interface unit includes FLASH controller logic that allows the throughput for access to the FLASH memory to match the speed of the USB standard. Advantages of the FLASH controller in accordance with the present invention include (1) utilizing the higher speed USB interface such as the USB 2.0 standard, which substantially increases the serial throughput between USB host and FLASH controller; (2) utilizing more advanced FLASH control logic which is implemented to raise the throughput for the FLASH memory access; (3) utilizing an intelligent algorithm to detect and access the different FLASH types, which broadens the sourcing and the supply of FLASH memory; (4) by storing the software program along with data in FLASH memory which results in the cost of the controller being reduced, and also makes the software program field changeable and upgradeable; and (5) providing high integration, which substantially reduces the overall space needed and reduces the complexity and the cost of manufacturing.