Data storage device and method including device or controller-based space allocation and host-based mapping table searching

Abstract

A data storage device and method for operating a non-volatile memory including device based space allocation and host-based mapping table searching. In response to a write command from a host that indicates a write logical address in metadata in the write command, a controller at the device end determines a write physical address and allocates the non-volatile memory to provide a space to store write data at the write physical address. The controller transmits the write physical address to the host so the host can establish a mapping table on the host. When filling a completion queue in the host to inform the host of the finishing or completion of the write command, the controller also returns the write physical address to the completion queue for the host to update the mapping table on the host in real time. The metadata programmed at the device end is read back with the read data for read data verification at the host end. Commands may include write and read descriptors describing where to get the write data from a system memory of the host, or where to store the read data in the system memory of the host. The controller may return metadata read from different spaces of the non-volatile memory to the host to rebuild the mapping table. The non-volatile memory may be flash memory, and the controller may allocate the non-volatile memory for wear-leveling and garbage collection.