Improving custom system using Spansion Linux Flash File System

Abstract

NOR flash memory has been widely used in embedded systems due to its advanced features such as code Execute in Place (XIP), high reliability and fast read performance. With the falling price of microprocessors and SDRAM and the increasing capacity of NOR flash, it is desirable to obtain a file system that can improve system robustness, deliver fast read and write performance as well as lowering development cost and shortening time to market. Spansion Linux Flash File System (SLFSS), a Linux File System Solution based on Spansion Block Driver (SPBD), enables the use of the latest flash technology without compromising, in fact enhancing, device and system liability. It provides an optimal open-source solution that meets aforementioned expectations on the current market. Experimental results show SLFSS proves 20%~60% write performance improvement compared to popular Linux open source flash file system solutions (LFFS) for the typical test cases described in the paper. Finally, suggestion on how to further improve SLFFS performance has been made to conclude the paper.