NAND Flash Controller
Integrates MAC IP to a broad range of PHY and SerDes IP
Overview
A NAND Flash Controller manages NAND flash memory in devices such as SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards, also known as a memory chip controller (MCC) or memory controller unit (MCU). It handles data storage and communication, whether standalone or integrated (e.g., in eMMC).
Features
- Communication Protocol and Data Transfer: It handles the interface between the NAND flash memory and the host system (e.g., SATA, PCIe, NVMe), and manages data transfer rates and protocols to ensure efficient communication.
- Error Detection and Correction Codes (ECC): It detects errors during data reading or writing processes and implements ECC algorithms to correct errors, maintaining data integrity.
- Algorithm Implementation and Prolongs Lifespan: It distributes write and erase operations evenly across NAND flash memory cells and prevents premature wear-out of specific blocks, enhancing overall durability and longevity.
- Identification and Mapping: It Identifies and manages defective or bad blocks within the NAND flash memory, and maintains a mapping table to redirect data from bad blocks to good blocks, ensuring data reliability.
- Background Process and Optimises Performance: It reclaims storage space from deleted or obsolete data blocks and improves write performance by ensuring free blocks are available for new data.
- Optimisation and Command Queuing: Implements algorithms to optimise read and write operations for speed and efficiency, and manages commands from the host system to minimise latency and improve overall throughput.
- Energy Efficiency and Low Power States: Controls power consumption during different operational states (active, idle, standby) and supports low-power modes to extend battery life in mobile devices.
- Data Encryption and access control: It provides hardware-based encryption to protect sensitive data and implements mechanisms to prevent unauthorised access.