Patent attributes
Data blocks may be optimized and managed in a mixed mode that utilizes a single-level cell (SLC) mode in combination with higher-density memory modes to promote full block utilization and to increase overall cycles of the data blocks. A data block cycling process in the mixed mode can place a data block in a higher-density memory mode that includes a multi-level cell (MLC) mode, a triple-level cell (TLC) mode, or a quad-level cell (QLC) mode, if the SLC cycle count of the data block is relatively higher as compared to other data blocks. Similarly, in the mixed mode, a data block may be placed in the SLC mode to store parity data or intermediate data if the corresponding TLC cycle count is relatively higher than other data blocks. Data clocks cycles may also be evenly distributed in the mixed mode, thereby balancing the mixed mode usage across all data blocks.