Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system includes two boards coupled by a bus. The bus having a dual-terminated transmission line that communicatively couples a memory control hub with a memory repeater hub that each have a Rambus ASIC Cell (RAC). Briefly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a connector has two metal traces that are of different lengths. The parasitic capacitance of the longer metal trace is increased so that the impedance of the two metal traces is substantially equal.

Abstract: A method of self-refresh in a memory array includes initializing a programmable refresh counter of a memory module to an offset value from at least another memory module in the memory array. A data line carrying a system-wide self-refresh indicator signal is interrogated to determine whether any memory module is in a self-refresh mode. The self-refresh mode for the memory module is entered if the programmable refresh counter indicates that a self-refresh cycle is due, and it is determined that no other memory modules are in the self-refresh mode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes: a plurality of memory modules; a memory controller coupled to the plurality of memory modules; a plurality of bus splitters coupled between the plurality of memory modules and the memory controller to split signals communicated between the plurality of memory modules and the memory controller; and a plurality of terminators to reduce signal reflections corresponding to the split signals.

Abstract: A memory architecture with a tree based topology. Memory devices are paired with intelligent memory hubs that service memory access requests and manage data in the network of memory devices. Memory hubs can reconfigure the network topology dynamically to compensate for failed devices or the addition or removal of devices. The memory architecture can also support input output devices and be shared between multiple systems.

Abstract: A method of self-refresh in a memory array includes initializing a programmable refresh counter of a memory module to an offset value from at least another memory module in the memory array. A data line carrying a system-wide self-refresh indicator signal is interrogated to determine whether any memory module is in a self-refresh mode. The self-refresh mode for the memory module is entered if the programmable refresh counter indicates that a self-refresh cycle is due, and it is determined that no other memory modules are in the self-refresh mode.

Abstract: A signal transmission unit includes a first transmission line, a second transmission line, and a tapered transmission line coupling the first transmission line to the second transmission line. The tapered transmission line has a width and a length and the width changes along the length according to one or more functions. The one or more functions include but are not limited to linear functions, non-linear functions, hyperbolic functions, and exponential functions.

Abstract: A signal transmission unit includes a first transmission line, a second transmission line, and a tapered transmission line coupling the first transmission line to the second transmission line. The tapered transmission line has a width and a length and the width changes along the length according to one or more functions. The one or more functions include but are not limited to linear functions, non-linear functions, hyperbolic functions, and exponential functions.