Patents by Inventor Richard M. Barth

Richard M. Barth 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: 8756395
    Abstract: Methods of operation of a memory device and system are provided in embodiments. Initialization operations are conducted at a first frequency of operation during an initialization sequence. Memory access operations are then performed at a second frequency of operation. The second frequency of operation is higher than the first frequency of operation. Also, the memory access operations include a read operation and a write operation. In an embodiment, information that represents the first frequency of operation and the second frequency of operation is read from a serial presence detect device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware, Todd W. Bystrom, Bradley A. May, Paul G. Davis
  • Patent number: 8560797
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the apparatus comprising an interface to transmit, over a first plurality of wires, to the DRAM a first code to indicate that first data is to be written to the DRAM and a column address to indicate a column location of a memory core in the DRAM where the first data is to be written. The interface is further to transmit a second code to indicate whether mask information for the first data will be sent to the DRAM. If the second code indicates that mask information will be sent, a portion of the column address and a portion of the mask information are sent after the second code is sent. The interface is further to transmit to the DRAM, over a second plurality of wires separate from the first plurality of wires, the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Frederick A. Ware, Donald C. Stark, Craig E. Hampel, Paul G. Davis, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, James A. Gasborro, David Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20130227214
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit including an output driver. The integrated circuit device includes a first register to store a value representative of a drive strength setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the drive strength setting. The integrated circuit device also includes a second register to store a value representative of an equalization setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the equalization setting. The integrated circuit device further includes a third register to store a value representative of a slew rate setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the slew rate setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Horowitz, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampel, Alfredo Moncayo, Kevin S. Donnelly, Jared L. Zerbe
  • Patent number: 8458385
    Abstract: A chip includes a receiver circuit that uses a reference voltage to receive a data signal such that a logic level of the received data signal is determined using the reference voltage, and a register to store a value that represents an adjustment to the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Horowitz, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampel, Alfredo Moncayo, Kevin S. Donnelly, Jared L. Zerbe
  • Patent number: 8305839
    Abstract: A memory device having a memory core is described. The memory device includes a clock receiver circuit, a first interface to receive a read command, a data interface, and a second interface to receive power mode information. The data interface is separate from the first interface. The second interface is separate from the first interface and the data interface. The memory device has a plurality of power modes, including a first mode in which the clock receiver circuit, first interface, and data interface are turned off; a second mode in which the clock receiver is turned on and the first interface and data interface are turned off; and a third mode in which the clock receiver and first interface are turned on. In the third mode, the data interface is turned on when the first interface receives the command, to output data in response to the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Ely K. Tsern, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampel, Donald C. Stark
  • Publication number: 20120268199
    Abstract: A chip includes a receiver circuit that uses a reference voltage to receive a data signal such that a logic level of the received data signal is determined using the reference voltage, and a register to store a value that represents an adjustment to the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Mark A. Horowitz, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampel, Alfredo Moncayo, Kevin S. Donnelly, Jared L. Zerbe
  • Patent number: 8296540
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the performance of a memory system is provided. A memory system comprises a master device and a slave device. A memory channel couples the master device to the slave device such that the slave device receives the system operating information from the master device via the memory channel. The slave device further includes tuning circuitry within the slave device such that the performance of the memory system is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno Werner Garlepp, Pak Shing Chau, Kevin S. Donnelly, Clemenz Portmann, Donald C. Stark, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Richard M. Barth, Paul G. Davis, Ely K. Tsern
  • Publication number: 20120216059
    Abstract: Methods of operation of a memory device and system are provided in embodiments. Initialization operations are conducted at a first frequency of operation during an initialization sequence. Memory access operations are then performed at a second frequency of operation. The second frequency of operation is higher than the first frequency of operation. Also, the memory access operations include a read operation and a write operation. In an embodiment, information that represents the first frequency of operation and the second frequency of operation is read from a serial presence detect device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware, Todd W. Bystrom, Bradley A. May, Paul G. Davis
  • Patent number: 8248884
    Abstract: A memory device includes a clock receiver, a command interface, and a data interface separate from the command interface. A memory controller provides the command interface with a command that specifies a write operation. After a programmable latency period transpires from providing the command, data associated with the write operation is provided to the data interface by the memory controller. The memory controller provides power mode information that controls transitions between a plurality of power modes, where for each power mode of the plurality of power modes, less power is consumed than the amount of power consumed during the write operation. The power modes include a mode in which the clock receiver is on and the data interface is off; and a mode in which the clock receiver is off and the data interface is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Ely K. Tsern, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampel, Donald C. Stark
  • Publication number: 20120173811
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the apparatus comprising an interface to transmit to the DRAM a first code to indicate that first data is to be written to the DRAM. The first code is to be sampled by the DRAM and held by the DRAM for a first period of time before it is issued inside the DRAM. The interface is further to transmit the first data that is to be sampled by the DRAM after a second period of time has elapsed from when the first code is sampled by the DRAM. The interface is further to transmit a second code, different from the first code, to indicate that second data is to be read from the DRAM. The second code is to be sampled by the DRAM on one or more edges of the external clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Frederick A. Ware, Donald C. Stark, Craig E. Hampel, Paul G. Davis, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, James A. Gasbarro, David Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120173810
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the apparatus comprising an interface to transmit, over a first plurality of wires, to the DRAM a first code to indicate that first data is to be written to the DRAM and a column address to indicate a column location of a memory core in the DRAM where the first data is to be written. The interface is further to transmit a second code to indicate whether mask information for the first data will be sent to the DRAM. If the second code indicates that mask information will be sent, a portion of the column address and a portion of the mask information are sent after the second code is sent. The interface is further to transmit to the DRAM, over a second plurality of wires separate from the first plurality of wires, the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Frederick A. Ware, Donald C. Stark, Craig E. Hampel, Paul G. Davis, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, James A. Gasbarro, David Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8214570
    Abstract: A chip includes a transmitter circuit and a register provided to store a value representative of an equalization co-efficient setting. The transmitter circuit includes an output driver configured to adjust an output data signal based at least in part on the equalization co-efficient setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Horowitz, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampel, Alfredo Moncayo, Kevin S. Donnelly, Jared L. Zerbe
  • Patent number: 8205056
    Abstract: A memory controller has an interface to convey, over a first set of interconnect resources: a first command that specifies activation of a row of memory cells, a second command that specifies a write operation directed to the row of memory cells, a bit that specifies whether precharging will occur in connection with the write operation, a code that specifies whether data mask information will be issued in connection with the write operation, and if the code specifies that data mask information will be issued, data mask information that specifies whether to selectively write portions of write data associated with the write operation. The memory controller interface further conveys, over a second set of interconnect resources, separate from the first set of interconnect resource, the write data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Frederick A. Ware, Donald C. Stark, Craig E. Hampel, Paul G. Davis, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, James A. Gasbarro, David Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120113738
    Abstract: A memory device having a memory core is described. The memory device includes a clock receiver circuit, a first interface to receive a read command, a data interface, and a second interface to receive power mode information. The data interface is separate from the first interface. The second interface is separate from the first interface and the data interface. The memory device has a plurality of power modes, including a first mode in which the clock receiver circuit, first interface, and data interface are turned off; a second mode in which the clock receiver is turned on and the first interface and data interface are turned off; and a third mode in which the clock receiver and first interface are turned on. In the third mode, the data interface is turned on when the first interface receives the command, to output data in response to the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Ely K. Tsern, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampe, Donald C. Stark
  • Publication number: 20120057424
    Abstract: A memory device having a memory core is described. The memory device includes a clock receiver circuit, a first interface to receive a read command, a data interface, and a second interface to receive power mode information. The data interface is separate from the first interface. The second interface is separate from the first interface and the data interface. The memory device has a plurality of power modes, including a first mode in which the clock receiver circuit, first interface, and data interface are turned off; a second mode in which the clock receiver is turned on and the first interface and data interface are turned off; and a third mode in which the clock receiver and first interface are turned on. In the third mode, the data interface is turned on when the first interface receives the command, to output data in response to the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Ely K. Tsern, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampel, Donald C. Stark
  • Patent number: 8127152
    Abstract: Methods of operation of a memory device and system are provided in embodiments. Initialization operations are conducted at a first frequency of operation during an initialization sequence. Memory access operations are then performed at a second frequency of operation. The second frequency of operation is higher than the first frequency of operation. Also, the memory access operations include a read operation and a write operation. In an embodiment, information that represents the first frequency of operation and the second frequency of operation is read from a serial presence detect device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware, Todd W. Bystrom, Bradley A. May, Paul G. Davis
  • Publication number: 20120005437
    Abstract: A memory controller has an interface to convey, over a first set of interconnect resources: a first command that specifies activation of a row of memory cells, a second command that specifies a write operation directed to the row of memory cells, a bit that specifies whether precharging will occur in connection with the write operation, a code that specifies whether data mask information will be issued in connection with the write operation, and if the code specifies that data mask information will be issued, data mask information that specifies whether to selectively write portions of write data associated with the write operation. The memory controller interface further conveys, over a second set of interconnect resources, separate from the first set of interconnect resource, the write data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Frederick A. Ware, Donald C. Stark, Craig E. Hampel, Paul G. Davis, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, James A. Gasbarro, David Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20110289245
    Abstract: A chip includes a transmitter circuit and a register provided to store a value representative of an equalization co-efficient setting. The transmitter circuit includes an output driver configured to adjust an output data signal based at least in part on the equalization co-efficient setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Mark A. Horowitz, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampel, Alfredo Moncayo, Kevin S. Donnelly, Jared L. Zerbe
  • Patent number: 8019958
    Abstract: In a method of controlling a memory device, the following is conveyed over a first set of interconnect resources: a first command that specifies activation of a row of memory cells; a second command that specifies a write operation, wherein write data is written to the row; a bit that specifies whether precharging occurs after the write data is written; and a code that specifies whether data mask information will be issued for the write operation. If the code specifies that the information will be issued, then the information, which specifies whether to selectively write portions of the write data, is conveyed over the first set of interconnect resources after conveying the code. The write data to be written in connection with the write operation is conveyed over a second set of interconnect resources that is separate from the first set of interconnect resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Frederick A. Ware, Donald C. Stark, Craig E. Hampel, Paul G. Davis, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, James A. Gasbarre, David Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8001305
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory device (DRAM) receiver circuit includes an input to receive a data signal, and also includes decision circuitry to make a decision about the received data signal based on a present sampled data signal and a coefficient value corresponding to at least one of a previously sampled data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Horowitz, Richard M. Barth, Craig E. Hampel, Alfredo Moncayo, Kevin S. Donnelly, Jared L. Zerbe