Patents by Inventor Andrew M. Fuller

Andrew M. Fuller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11960344
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20230244293
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 11677391
    Abstract: A latency controller within an integrated circuit device retimes command-stream-triggered control and timing signals into endpoint timing domains having respective time-varying phase offsets relative to a reference clock by iteratively estimating and logging the phase offsets independently of commands streaming into the integrated circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Palmer, Andrew M. Fuller, William F. Stonecypher
  • Patent number: 11556164
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20210232203
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 10901485
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20200012332
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 10331193
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20180067538
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 9753521
    Abstract: In an integrated circuit device that outputs data values during respective transmit intervals defined by transitions of a transmit clock, the phase of the transmit clock is shifted by half a transmit interval to enable a timing calibration operation. Thereafter, a sequence of data values is transmitted to another integrated circuit device in response to the phase-shifted transmit clock and a samples of the sequence of data values are received from the other integrated circuit device. The received samples are compared with the sequence of data values to determine a phase update value, including comparing at least one received sample with two adjacent data values within the sequence of data values, and the phase of the transmit clock is incrementally advanced or retarded according to the phase update value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 9419598
    Abstract: A controllable delay element includes a delay element to provide a variable delay from an input signal to an output signal. The variable delay can be controlled by a digital delay input. The delay element has a delay range that is controlled in response to a delay range input. The delay range of the delay element can be calibrated to a desired range of delays in response to a relative delay between a first timing reference and a second timing reference. A common timing reference is applied to a plurality of receivers and a strobe receiver. The delay through the strobe receiver is adjusted to measure the delay mismatches between the plurality of receivers. The mismatches are used to select a value for the delay through the strobe receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Palmer, Michael D. Bucher, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20160147281
    Abstract: In an integrated circuit device that outputs data values during respective transmit intervals defined by transitions of a transmit clock, the phase of the transmit clock is shifted by half a transmit interval to enable a timing calibration operation. Thereafter, a sequence of data values is transmitted to another integrated circuit device in response to the phase-shifted transmit clock and a samples of the sequence of data values are received from the other integrated circuit device. The received samples are compared with the sequence of data values to determine a phase update value, including comparing at least one received sample with two adjacent data values within the sequence of data values, and the phase of the transmit clock is incrementally advanced or retarded according to the phase update value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 9229523
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20150227188
    Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20150145581
    Abstract: A controllable delay element includes a delay element to provide a variable delay from an input signal to an output signal. The variable delay can be controlled by a digital delay input. The delay element has a delay range that is controlled in response to a delay range input. The delay range of the delay element can be calibrated to a desired range of delays in response to a relative delay between a first timing reference and a second timing reference. A common timing reference is applied to a plurality of receivers and a strobe receiver. The delay through the strobe receiver is adjusted to measure the delay mismatches between the plurality of receivers. The mismatches are used to select a value for the delay through the strobe receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Robert E. Palmer, Michael D. Bucher, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 9043633
    Abstract: An integrated-circuit memory controller outputs to a memory device a first signal in a first state to enable operation of synchronous data transmission and reception circuits within the memory device. A transaction queue within the memory controller stores memory read and write requests that, to be serviced, require operation of the synchronous data transmission and reception circuits, respectively, within the memory device. Power control circuitry within the memory controller determines that the transaction queue has reached a predetermined state and, in response, outputs the first signal to the memory device in a second state to disable operation of the synchronous data transmission and reception circuits within the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20150074437
    Abstract: An integrated-circuit memory controller outputs to a memory device a first signal in a first state to enable operation of synchronous data transmission and reception circuits within the memory device. A transaction queue within the memory controller stores memory read and write requests that, to be serviced, require operation of the synchronous data transmission and reception circuits, respectively, within the memory device. Power control circuitry within the memory controller determines that the transaction queue has reached a predetermined state and, in response, outputs the first signal to the memory device in a second state to disable operation of the synchronous data transmission and reception circuits within the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 8918669
    Abstract: In a low-power signaling system, an integrated circuit device includes an open loop-clock distribution circuit and a transmit circuit that cooperate to enable high-speed transmission of information-bearing symbols unaccompanied by source-synchronous timing references. The open-loop clock distribution circuit generates a transmit clock signal in response to an externally-supplied clock signal, and the transmit circuit outputs a sequence of symbols onto an external signal line in response to transitions of the transmit clock signal. Each of the symbols is valid at the output of the transmit circuit for a symbol time and a phase offset between the transmit clock signal and the externally-supplied clock signal is permitted to drift by at least the symbol time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 8918667
    Abstract: In a low-power signaling system, an integrated circuit device includes an open loop-clock distribution circuit and a transmit circuit that cooperate to enable high-speed transmission of information-bearing symbols unaccompanied by source-synchronous timing references. The open-loop clock distribution circuit generates a transmit clock signal in response to an externally-supplied clock signal, and the transmit circuit outputs a sequence of symbols onto an external signal line in response to transitions of the transmit clock signal. Each of the symbols is valid at the output of the transmit circuit for a symbol time and a phase offset between the transmit clock signal and the externally-supplied clock signal is permitted to drift by at least the symbol time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Robert E. Palmer, John W. Poulton, Andrew M. Fuller
  • Patent number: 8509094
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for edge-based loss-of-signal (LOS) detection. In a receiver, a receiver port receives a data signal. A clock and data recovery (CDR) mechanism coupled to the receive port derives one or more clock signals. An LOS signal generation mechanism generates an LOS signal based on edge glitches which occur when the receive port does not receive usable data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Fuller, John W. Poulton