Abstract: The present invention relates to a memory system including an external clock and a memory chip connected to the external clock. The external clock generates an operating signal at an operating frequency that controls at least one electrical component of the memory system. The memory chip includes a frequency detector that detects at least a range of frequency values for the operating frequency. Further, the frequency detector includes a reference frequency generator that generates a reference signal at a reference frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a memory system comprising a memory chip. An operating signal is generated at an operating frequency. The operating frequency is applied to the memory chip to control one or more electrical components of the memory system. A reference signal is generated at a reference frequency within the memory chip and a range of values for the operating frequency is detected based on the reference signal and the operating signal.

Abstract: A method of protecting an integrated circuit that includes sensing a temperature of an integrated circuit, comparing the sensed temperature with a threshold temperature and controlling operation of the integrated circuit based on the comparing.

Abstract: A method of protecting an integrated circuit that includes sensing a temperature of an integrated circuit that has a data pin, generating a temperature data signal based on the sensing, implementing a temperature sensing protocol and supplying the temperature data signal to the data pin based on the temperature sensing protocol.

Abstract: A method of operating a memory system that includes generating an operating signal, controlling one or more electrical components with the operating signal and having a memory chip detect at the least a range of values for the operating frequency.

Abstract: A method of using a memory chip includes operating a memory chip of a memory system and sending a command signal to the memory chip, wherein the command signal contains information regarding an operational frequency of a system clock signal of the memory system. The method provides the advantage of enabling high operation frequencies and thus increasing the SDRAM internal timing margin.

Abstract: A method of protecting an integrated circuit that includes sensing a temperature of an integrated circuit, comparing the sensed temperature with a threshold temperature and controlling operation of the integrated circuit based on the comparing.

Abstract: A method of protecting an integrated circuit that includes sensing a temperature of an integrated circuit that has a data pin, generating a temperature data signal based on the sensing, implementing a temperature sensing protocol and supplying the temperature data signal to the data pin based on the temperature sensing protocol.

Abstract: A tunable analog-to-digital converter which generates samples having M-bits for use with an operating circuit. The operating circuit generates a first enable signal to instruct the analog-to-digital converter to turn on. Additionally, a sensor generates an analog signal in response to a condition. The tunable analog-to-digital converter includes a primary analog-to-digital converter which receives the analog signal and converts the analog signal to a primary digital signal upon receipt of the first enable signal. The tunable analog-to-digital converter also includes a comparator and a secondary analog-to-digital converter. The comparator compares the value of the primary digital signal to a predetermined value and generates a second enable signal depending on the value of the primary digital signal and the predetermined value. The secondary analog-to-digital converter receives the analog signal and converts the analog signal to a secondary digital signal upon receipt of the second enable signal.