Patents by Inventor Craig E. Hampel

Craig E. Hampel 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: 11467986
    Abstract: A memory module having reduced access granularity. The memory module includes a substrate having signal lines thereon that form a control path and first and second data paths, and further includes first and second memory devices coupled in common to the control path and coupled respectively to the first and second data paths. The first and second memory devices include control circuitry to receive respective first and second memory access commands via the control path and to effect concurrent data transfer on the first and second data paths in response to the first and second memory access commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware
  • Publication number: 20220278759
    Abstract: A method and system that provides for execution of a first calibration sequence, such as upon initialization of a system, to establish an operation value, which utilizes an algorithm intended to be exhaustive, and executing a second calibration sequence from time to time, to measure drift in the parameter, and to update the operation value in response to the measured drift. The second calibration sequence utilizes less resources of the communication channel than does the first calibration sequence. In one embodiment, the first calibration sequence for measurement and convergence on the operation value utilizes long calibration patterns, such as codes that are greater than 30 bytes, or pseudorandom bit sequences having lengths of 2N?1 bits, where N is equal to or greater than 7, while the second calibration sequence utilizes short calibration patterns, such as fixed codes less than 16 bytes, and for example as short as 2 bytes long.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware, Richard E. Perego
  • Publication number: 20220276956
    Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for “leveling” or averaging out more evenly the number of activate/precharge cycles seen by the rows of a memory component, so that one or more particular rows are not excessively stressed (relative to the other rows). In one embodiment, a memory controller includes remapping facilities arranged to move data stored in a physical row from RPK to RPK? and modify the mapping from logical row RLK while minimizing impact on normal read/write operations. Remapping operations may be scheduled relative to refresh or other maintenance operations. Remapping operations may be conditionally deferred so as to minimize performance impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 11405174
    Abstract: A signaling system is disclosed. The signaling system includes a first integrated circuit (IC) chip to receive a data signal and a strobe signal. The first IC includes circuitry to sample the data signal at times indicated by the strobe signal to generate phase error information and circuitry to output the phase error information from the first IC device. The system further includes a signaling link and a second IC chip coupled to the first IC chip via the signaling link to output the data signal and the strobe signal to the first IC chip. The second IC chip includes delay circuitry to generate the strobe signal by delaying an aperiodic timing signal for a first time interval and timing control circuitry to receive the phase error information from the first IC chip and adjust the first time interval in accordance with the phase error information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Bret G. Stott, Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware
  • Publication number: 20220147468
    Abstract: Space in a memory is allocated based on the highest used precision. When the maximum used precision is not being used, the bits required for that particular precision level (e.g., floating point format) are transferred between the processor and the memory while the rest are not. A given floating point number is distributed over non-contiguous addresses. Each portion of the given floating point number is located at the same offset within the access units, groups, and/or memory arrays. This allows a sequencer in the memory device to successively access a precision dependent number of access units, groups, and/or memory arrays without receiving additional requests over the memory channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas VOGELSANG, Craig E. HAMPEL
  • Publication number: 20220138042
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting and correcting address errors in a memory system. In the memory system, a memory device generates an error-detection code based on an address transmitted via an address bus and transmits the error-detection code to a memory controller. The memory controller transmits an error indication to the memory device in response to the error-detection code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Ian Shaeffer, Craig E. Hampel
  • Publication number: 20220069975
    Abstract: A signaling system is disclosed. The signaling system includes a first integrated circuit (IC) chip to receive a data signal and a strobe signal. The first IC includes circuitry to sample the data signal at times indicated by the strobe signal to generate phase error information and circuitry to output the phase error information from the first IC device. The system further includes a signaling link and a second IC chip coupled to the first IC chip via the signaling link to output the data signal and the strobe signal to the first IC chip. The second IC chip includes delay circuitry to generate the strobe signal by delaying an aperiodic timing signal for a first time interval and timing control circuitry to receive the phase error information from the first IC chip and adjust the first time interval in accordance with the phase error information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Bret G. Stott, Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11256613
    Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for “leveling” or averaging out more evenly the number of activate/precharge cycles seen by the rows of a memory component, so that one or more particular rows are not excessively stressed (relative to the other rows). In one embodiment, a memory controller includes remapping facilities arranged to move data stored in a physical row from RPK to RPK? and modify the mapping from logical row RLK while minimizing impact on normal read/write operations. Remapping operations may be scheduled relative to refresh or other maintenance operations. Remapping operations may be conditionally deferred so as to minimize performance impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 11258522
    Abstract: A method and system that provides for execution of a first calibration sequence, such as upon initialization of a system, to establish an operation value, which utilizes an algorithm intended to be exhaustive, and executing a second calibration sequence from time to time, to measure drift in the parameter, and to update the operation value in response to the measured drift. The second calibration sequence utilizes less resources of the communication channel than does the first calibration sequence. In one embodiment, the first calibration sequence for measurement and convergence on the operation value utilizes long calibration patterns, such as codes that are greater than 30 bytes, or pseudorandom bit sequences having lengths of 2N?1 bits, where N is equal to or greater than 7, while the second calibration sequence utilizes short calibration patterns, such as fixed codes less than 16 bytes, and for example as short as 2 bytes long.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware, Richard E. Perego
  • Publication number: 20220052802
    Abstract: A method and system provides for execution of calibration cycles from time to time during normal operation of the communication channel. A calibration cycle includes de-coupling the normal data source from the transmitter and supplying a calibration pattern in its place. The calibration pattern is received from the communication link using the receiver on the second component. A calibrated value of a parameter of the communication channel is determined in response to the received calibration pattern. The steps involved in calibration cycles can be reordered to account for utilization patterns of the communication channel. For bidirectional links, calibration cycles are executed which include the step of storing received calibration patterns on the second component, and retransmitting such calibration patterns back to the first component for use in adjusting parameters of the channel at first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Richard E. Perego, Craig E. Hampel
  • Publication number: 20220043762
    Abstract: Described are motherboards with memory-module sockets that accept legacy memory modules for backward compatibility or accept a greater number of configurable modules in support of increased memory capacity. The configurable modules can be backward compatible with legacy motherboards. Equipped with the configurable modules, the motherboards support memory systems with high signaling rates and capacities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely Tsern, John Eric Linstadt, Thomas J. Giovannini, Craig E. Hampel, Scott C. Best, John Yan
  • Patent number: 11232827
    Abstract: A memory component includes a memory core comprising dynamic random access memory (DRAM) storage cells and a first circuit to receive external commands. The external commands include a read command that specifies transmitting data accessed from the memory core. The memory component also includes a second circuit to transmit data onto an external bus in response to a read command and pattern register circuitry operable during calibration to provide at least a first data pattern and a second data pattern. During the calibration, a selected one of the first data pattern and the second data pattern is transmitted by the second circuit onto the external bus in response to a read command received during the calibration. Further, at least one of the first and second data patterns is written to the pattern register circuitry in response to a write command received during the calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Highlands, LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Hampel, Richard E. Perego, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Ely K. Tsern, Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11150982
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting and correcting address errors in a memory system. In the memory system, a memory device generates an error-detection code based on an address transmitted via an address bus and transmits the error-detection code to a memory controller. The memory controller transmits an error indication to the memory device in response to the error-detection code. The error indication causes the memory device to remove the received address and prevent a memory operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Shaeffer, Craig E. Hampel
  • Publication number: 20210318969
    Abstract: A memory module includes a substrate, plural memory devices, and a buffer. The plural memory devices are organized into at least one rank, each memory device having plural banks. The buffer includes a primary interface for communicating with a memory controller and a secondary interface coupled to the plural memory devices. For each bank of each rank of memory devices, the buffer includes data buffer circuitry and address buffer circuitry. The data buffer circuitry includes first storage to store write data transferred during a bank cycle interval (tRR). The address buffer circuitry includes second storage to store address information corresponding to the data stored in the first storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 11115179
    Abstract: A signaling system is disclosed. The signaling system includes a first integrated circuit (IC) chip to receive a data signal and a strobe signal. The first IC includes circuitry to sample the data signal at times indicated by the strobe signal to generate phase error information and circuitry to output the phase error information from the first IC device. The system further includes a signaling link and a second IC chip coupled to the first IC chip via the signaling link to output the data signal and the strobe signal to the first IC chip. The second IC chip includes delay circuitry to generate the strobe signal by delaying an aperiodic timing signal for a first time interval and timing control circuitry to receive the phase error information from the first IC chip and adjust the first time interval in accordance with the phase error information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Bret G. Stott, Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11108510
    Abstract: A method and system provides for execution of calibration cycles from time to time during normal operation of the communication channel. A calibration cycle includes de-coupling the normal data source from the transmitter and supplying a calibration pattern in its place. The calibration pattern is received from the communication link using the receiver on the second component. A calibrated value of a parameter of the communication channel is determined in response to the received calibration pattern. The steps involved in calibration cycles can be reordered to account for utilization patterns of the communication channel. For bidirectional links, calibration cycles are executed which include the step of storing received calibration patterns on the second component, and retransmitting such calibration patterns back to the first component for use in adjusting parameters of the channel at first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Richard E. Perego, Craig E. Hampel
  • Publication number: 20210218546
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing cryptographic data processing operations in a manner resistant to external monitoring attacks. An example method may comprise: executing, by a processing device, a first data manipulation instruction, the first data manipulation instruction affecting a state of the processing device; executing a second data manipulation instruction, the second data manipulation instruction interacting with said internal state; and breaking a detectable interaction of the first data manipulation instruction and the second data manipulation instruction by executing a third data manipulation instruction utilizing an unpredictable data item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Sami James Saab, Pankaj Rohatgi, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 10983933
    Abstract: A memory module includes a substrate, plural memory devices, and a buffer. The plural memory devices are organized into at least one rank, each memory device having plural banks. The buffer includes a primary interface for communicating with a memory controller and a secondary interface coupled to the plural memory devices. For each bank of each rank of memory devices, the buffer includes data buffer circuitry and address buffer circuitry. The data buffer circuitry includes first storage to store write data transferred during a bank cycle interval (tRR). The address buffer circuitry includes second storage to store address information corresponding to the data stored in the first storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Craig E. Hampel
  • Publication number: 20210098048
    Abstract: A memory component includes a memory core comprising dynamic random access memory (DRAM) storage cells and a first circuit to receive external commands. The external commands include a read command that specifies transmitting data accessed from the memory core. The memory component also includes a second circuit to transmit data onto an external bus in response to a read command and pattern register circuitry operable during calibration to provide at least a first data pattern and a second data pattern. During the calibration, a selected one of the first data pattern and the second data pattern is transmitted by the second circuit onto the external bus in response to a read command received during the calibration. Further, at least one of the first and second data patterns is written to the pattern register circuitry in response to a write command received during the calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Craig E. HAMPEL, Richard E. PEREGO, Stefanos SIDIROPOULOS, Ely K. TSERN, Frederick A. WARE
  • Publication number: 20210091862
    Abstract: A method and system that provides for execution of a first calibration sequence, such as upon initialization of a system, to establish an operation value, which utilizes an algorithm intended to be exhaustive, and executing a second calibration sequence from time to time, to measure drift in the parameter, and to update the operation value in response to the measured drift. The second calibration sequence utilizes less resources of the communication channel than does the first calibration sequence. In one embodiment, the first calibration sequence for measurement and convergence on the operation value utilizes long calibration patterns, such as codes that are greater than 30 bytes, or pseudorandom bit sequences having lengths of 2N?1 bits, where N is equal to or greater than 7, while the second calibration sequence utilizes short calibration patterns, such as fixed codes less than 16 bytes, and for example as short as 2 bytes long.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware, Richard E. Perego