Abstract: An enhanced four rank enabled buffer device that includes input ports for receiving input data that includes address and command data directed to one or more of up to four ranks of memory devices. The buffer device also includes one or more buffer circuits for driving one or more of the address and command data, a plurality of chip select input lines for selecting between the up to four ranks of memory devices, and a plurality of chip select output lines for accessing the up to four ranks of memory devices. The buffer device further includes a power savings means for causing one or more of the buffer circuits to be in an inactive mode when corresponding chip select input lines are not active. The buffer device is operable to access the up to four ranks of memory devices.

Abstract: A high density high reliability memory module with power gating and a fault tolerant address and command bus. The memory module includes a rectangular printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, a length of between 149 and 153 millimeters and first and second ends having a width smaller than said length. The memory module also includes a first plurality of connector locations on the first side extending along a first edge of said board that extends the length of the board and a second plurality of connector locations on the second side extending on said first edge of said board. The memory module further includes a buffer device in communication with the circuit board for accessing up to four ranks of memory devices mounted on the first side and second side of the circuit board. In addition, a power savings means is included for causing all or a portion of the buffer device to be in an inactive mode in response to current activity at the memory module.

Abstract: An enhanced four rank enabled buffer device that includes input ports for receiving input data that includes address and command data directed to one or more of up to four ranks of memory devices. The buffer device also includes one or more buffer circuits for driving one or more of the address and command data, a plurality of chip select input lines for selecting between the up to four ranks of memory devices, and a plurality of chip select output lines for accessing the up to four ranks of memory devices. The buffer device further includes a power savings means for causing one or more of the buffer circuits to be in an inactive mode when corresponding chip select input lines are not active. The buffer device is operable to access the up to four ranks of memory devices.

Abstract: A memory system having a plurality of DRAMs which are selectively provided non-inverted or inverted signals. The DRAMs have the ability to accept non-inverted or inverted address/command signals from a register that drives a plurality of signals simultaneously. The system includes DRAM receivers with programmable input polarity and a register with programmable output polarity.

Abstract: A DDR SDRAM DIMM for a mainframe main storage subsystem has a plurality of DDR SDRAMs on a rectangular printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, a length (152 MM=6 inch) between 149 and 153 millimeters and optimized at 149.15 mm or 151.35 mm in length and first and second ends having a width smaller than the length; a first plurality of connector locations on the first side extending along a first edge of the board that extends the length of the board, a second plurality of connector locations of the second side extending on the first edge of the board, a locating key having its center positioned on the first edge and located between 80 mm and 86 mm and optimized with a locating key 1.5 mm wide centered at 81.58 or 85.67 mm from the first end of the board and located between 64 and 70 mm and optimized with the locating key centered at 67.58 or 65.675 from the second end of the board.

Abstract: A high density high reliability memory module with a fault tolerant address and command bus. The memory module includes a rectangular printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, a length of between 149 and 153 millimeters and first and second ends having a width smaller than said length. The memory module also includes a first plurality of connector locations on the first side extending along a first edge of said board that extends the length of the board and a second plurality of connector locations on the second side extending on said first edge of said board. The memory module further includes one or more buffer devices in communication with the circuit board for accessing one or more of the four ranks of memory devices mounted on the first side and second side of the circuit board.

Abstract: A high density high reliability memory module with power gating and a fault tolerant address and command bus. The memory module includes a rectangular printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, a length of between 149 and 153 millimeters and first and second ends having a width smaller than said length. The memory module also includes a first plurality of connector locations on the first side extending along a first edge of said board that extends the length of the board and a second plurality of connector locations on the second side extending on said first edge of said board. The memory module further includes a buffer device in communication with the circuit board for accessing up to four ranks of memory devices mounted on the first side and second side of the circuit board. In addition, a power savings means is included for causing all or a portion of the buffer device to be in an inactive mode in response to current activity at the memory module.

Abstract: A high density high reliability memory module with a fault tolerant address and command bus. The memory module includes a rectangular printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, a length of between 149 and 153 millimeters and first and second ends having a width smaller than said length. The memory module also includes a first plurality of connector locations on the first side extending along a first edge of said board that extends the length of the board and a second plurality of connector locations on the second side extending on said first edge of said board. The memory module further includes one or more buffer devices in communication with the circuit board for accessing one or more of the four ranks of memory devices mounted on the first side and second side of the circuit board.

Abstract: A DDR SDRAM DIMM for a mainframe main storage subsystem has a plurality of DDR SDRAMs on a rectangular printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, a length (152 MM=6 inch) between 149 and 153 millimeters and optimized at 149.15 mm or 151.35 mm in length and first and second ends having a width smaller than the length; a first plurality of connector locations on the first side extending along a first edge of the board that extends the length of the board, a second plurality of connector locations of the second side extending on the first edge of the board, a locating key having its center positioned on the first edge and located between 80 mm and 86 mm and optimized with a locating key 1.5 mm wide centered at 81.58 or 85.67 mm from the first end of the board and located between 64 and 70 mm and optimized with the locating key centered at 67.58 or 65.675 from the second end of the board.

Abstract: A Synchronous DRAM memory test assembly that converts a normal PC or Workstation with a synchronous bus into a memory tester. The test assembly may be split into two segments: a diagnostic card and an adapter card to limit mechanical load on the system socket as well as permit varying form factors. This test assembly architecture supports memory bus speeds of 66 MHz and above, and provides easy access for a logic analyzer. The test assembly supports Registered and Unbuffered Synchronous DRAM products. The test assembly permits good and questionable synchronous modules to be compared using an external logic analyzer. It permits resolution of in-system fails that occur uniquely in system environments and may be otherwise difficult or impossible to replicate.

Abstract: A memory card adapter and method is provided which can add features or provide functions to a computer system's memory modules without having to replace and discard existing memory modules. An adapter is provided which has electrical contacts that are capable of being plugged into a memory module receiving socket of. a motherboard and a memory module receiving socket capable of receiving and retaining a memory module such as a SIMM. The adapter has logic, circuitry and/or memory chips to add new function to the existing memory module and also has all information and hardware needed for proper interface with the motherboard of the computer system. The present invention can add a variety of function such as parity, error correction code and error correction code on SIMM as well as convert signals which form from the system for use on the SIMM which signals in the form generate by the computer are not compatible with the SIMM.

Abstract: A memory card having a memory bus controller is provided which card has a signal processing element preferably a digital signal processor (DSP) thereon, which card is used in a computer system as add-on memory. Also, a method of using such a card in a computer system is provided. The memory bus controller and the signal processing element are programmed to pass all the addresses in the memory on the card and the associated data received from the CPU to the signal processing element where they are stored in memory. The signal processing element is programmed to perform selected operations on the addresses and/data irrespective of whether the signal processing element has control of the system bus. These operations can include keeping track of read/write operations and the locations of these operations. This information can be easily accessed by the computer system and used for memory optimization. The DSP can also “snoop” the memory bus when it is unavailable to the control of the DSP, i.e.

Abstract: A serial bus and connection to a device on a computer system through a system memory controller is provided on a memory card having a DSP and a memory bus controller to allow the DSP on the memory card to gain access to the system device without using the system memory bus. The serial bus is a two wire serial bus connecting the device to the DSP through the system memory controller. If more than one memory card is present with DSPs or more than one device is contending for access, the system memory controller or arbitrate the access of each memory card or contending device. In such case the serial bus will signal the system memory controller when it wants access to the particular device, and the system memory controller will act as arbitrator to grant or not grant access to the particular memory card or device requesting access. If access is granted the bus memory controller outputs the required control or command word on the serial bus followed by the address and the required data.

Abstract: A serial bus and connection to a device on a computer system through a system memory controller is provided on a memory card having a DSP and a memory bus controller to allow the DSP on the memory card to gain access to the system device without using the system memory bus. The serial bus is a two wire serial bus connecting the device to the DSP through the system memory controller. If more than one memory card is present with DSPs or more than one device is contending for access, the system memory controller or arbitrate the access of each memory card or contending device. In such case the serial bus will signal the system memory controller when it wants access to the particular device, and the system memory controller will act as arbitrator to grant or not grant access to the particular memory card or device requesting access. If access is granted the bus memory controller outputs the required control or command word on the serial bus followed by the address and the required data.

Abstract: A memory module for attachment to a computer system having a memory bus and a method of using the memory module for error correction by scrubbing soft errors on-board the module is provided. The module includes a printed circuit card with memory storage chips on the card to store data bits and associated ECC check bits. Tabs are provided on the circuit card to couple the card to the memory bus of the computer system. Logic circuitry selectively operatively connects and disconnects the memory chip and the memory bus. A signal processor is connected in circuit relationship with the memory chips.

Abstract: An improved memory module and its use in a computer system is provided. The module includes a DSP first and second individually addressable banks of memory chips. The first bank is configured to function principally under the control of the signal processing element and the second bank is configured to function principally under the control of a system memory controller, although all the portions of each of the memory banks is addressable by both the signal processing element and the system memory controller. Both banks of memory chips can be placed in at least one higher power state and at least one lower power state by either the system memory controller or the DSP. The activity of each bank is sensed while in the higher power state, and the condition of each of the banks is sensed with respect to any activity during operation of the memory bank at the higher power state.

Abstract: A serial bus and connection to a device on a computer system through a system memory controller is provided on a memory card having a DSP and a memory bus controller to allow the DSP on the memory card to gain access to the system device without using the system memory bus. The serial bus is a two wire serial bus connecting the device to the DSP through the system memory controller. If more than one memory card is present with DSPs or more than one device is contending for access, the system memory controller or arbitrate the access of each memory card or contending device. In such case the serial bus will signal the system memory controller when it wants access to the particular device, and the system memory controller will act as arbitrator to grant or not grant access to the particular memory card or device requesting access. If access is granted the bus memory controller outputs the required control or command word on the serial bus followed by the address and the required data.

Abstract: A memory card design which adds parity for non-parity computer systems to supply error detection capabilities is provided. The apparatus includes a memory card, parity DRAM locatable on the memory card, logic for generating and checking parity bits and logic for the control of the generating, checking and storing parity bits. Also, in another embodiment, the apparatus adds error correction code to the memory card to provide error detection and correction code to systems lacking such capabilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively causing each bank of a number of banks of DRAMs of a DRAM memory card to enter into the self-refresh mode without affecting the operation of any other bank. In the computer system incorporating the SIMM or DIMM type DRAM cards, each bank of memory on each card has a RAS signal specific to that specific bank. One or more CAS signals are supplied across all of the memory banks, on all cards. Thus, each memory bank is accessed separately for a read/write operation by the RAS becoming active before the CAS becomes active; and refresh takes place by the CAS signal becoming active before the RAS signal becomes active. The number of clock cycles or refresh cycles between active RAS signals to each memory bank are counted.

Abstract: A memory card adapter and method is provided which can add features or provide functions to a computer system's memory modules without having to replace and discard existing memory modules. An adapter is provided which has electrical contacts that are capable of being plugged into a memory module receiving socket of a motherboard and a memory module receiving socket capable of receiving and retaining a memory module such as a SIMM. The adapter has logic, circuitry and/or memory chips to add new function to the existing memory module and also has all information and hardware needed for proper interface with the motherboard of the computer system. The present invention can add a variety of function such as parity, error correction code and error correction code on SIMM as well as convert signals which form from the system for use on the SIMM which signals in the form generate by the computer are not compatible with the SIMM.