Patents Assigned to Rambus Inc.
  • Patent number: 12112063
    Abstract: A memory controller includes a request queue and associated logic for efficiently managing the request queue based on various timing constraints of the memory device. A single request queue for the memory device stores read and write requests spanning different banks of the memory device. In each memory controller cycle, selection logic may select both a row request and a column request (relating to a different bank than the row request) for issuing to the memory device based on a set of timing status bits. Following issuance of requests, the memory controller updates the queue to maintain the queued requests in a time-ordered, compressed sequence. The memory controller furthermore updates the timing status bits that are used by the selection logic to select requests from the queue based on a history of past memory requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Imel, Larry Arbuthnot, Charles J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 12111723
    Abstract: A memory module is disclosed that includes a substrate, a memory device that outputs read data, and a buffer. The buffer has a primary interface for transferring the read data to a memory controller and a secondary interface coupled to the memory device to receive the read data. The buffer includes error logic to identify an error in the received read data and to identify a storage cell location in the memory device associated with the error. Repair logic maps a replacement storage element as a substitute storage element for the storage cell location associated with the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely Tsern
  • Patent number: 12105975
    Abstract: Same sized blocks of data corresponding to a single read/write command are stored in the same memory array of a memory device, but using different formats. A first one of these formats spreads the data in the block across a larger number of memory subarrays (a.k.a., memory array tiles—MATs) than a second format. In this manner, the data blocks stored in the first format can be accessed with lower latency than the blocks stored in the second format because more data can be read from the array simultaneously. In addition, since the data stored in the second format is stored in fewer subarrays, it takes less energy to read a block stored in the second format. Thus, a system may elect, on a data block by data block basis, whether to conserve power or improve speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt
  • Patent number: 12099454
    Abstract: System and method for improved transferring of data involving memory device systems. A memory appliance (MA) comprising a plurality of memory modules is configured to store data within the plurality of memory modules and further configured to receive data commands from the first server and a second server coupled to the MA. The data commands may include direction memory access commands such that the MA can service the data commands while bypassing a host controller of the MA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Vlad Fruchter, Keith Lowery, George Michael Uhler, Steven Woo, Chi-Ming (Philip) Yeung, Ronald Lee
  • Patent number: 12094553
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
  • Patent number: 12093180
    Abstract: A device includes a memory controller and a cache memory coupled to the memory controller. The cache memory has a first set of cache lines associated with a first memory block and comprising a first plurality of cache storage locations, as well as a second set of cache lines associated with a second memory block and comprising a second plurality of cache storage locations. A first location of the second plurality of cache storage locations comprises cache tag data for both the first set of cache lines and the second set of cache lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Miller, Dennis Doidge, Collins Williams
  • Patent number: 12094565
    Abstract: A memory component includes a memory bank comprising a plurality of storage cells and a data interface block configured to transfer data between the memory component and a component external to the memory component. The memory component further includes a plurality of column interface buses coupled between the memory bank and the data interface block, wherein a first column interface bus of the plurality of column interface buses is configured to transfer data between a first storage cell of the plurality of storage cells and the data interface block during a first access operation and wherein a second column interface bus of the plurality of column interface buses is configured to transfer the data between the first storage cell and the data interface block during a second access operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern
  • Patent number: 12086441
    Abstract: An interconnected stack of one or more Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) die also has one or more custom logic, controller, or processor die. The custom die(s) of the stack include direct channel interfaces that allow direct access to memory regions on one or more DRAMs in the stack. The direct channels are time-division multiplexed such that each DRAM die is associated with a time slot on a direct channel. The custom die configures a first DRAM die to read a block of data and transmit it via the direct channel using a time slot that is assigned to a second DRAM die. The custom die also configures the second memory device to receive the first block of data in its assigned time slot and write the block of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Miller, Steven C. Woo, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 12087681
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit die of a memory buffer integrated circuit that is placed aggregately closer to the solder balls that connect to the input (i.e., host command/address—C/A) signals than the output solder balls (i.e., memory device C/A) signals. This decreases the length of the host C/A signals from the memory controller to the memory buffer device when the memory module is placed in a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Shahram Nikoukary, Jonghyun Cho, Nitin Juneja, Ming Li
  • Patent number: 12086010
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that supports dynamic bursts to facilitate frequency-agile communication between a memory controller and a memory device. During operation, the system monitors a reference clock signal received at an interface between the memory device and the memory controller. Upon detecting a frequency change in the reference clock signal from a fullrate to a subrate, the interface operates in a burst mode, wherein data is communicated through bursts separated by intervening low-power intervals during which portions of the interface are powered down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Brian Hing-Kit Tsang, Barry William Daly
  • Patent number: 12086039
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein describe technologies for non-volatile memory persistence in a multi-tiered memory system including two or more memory technologies for volatile memory and non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, J. James Tringali, Ely Tsern
  • Patent number: 12086060
    Abstract: Row addresses received by a module are mapped before being received by the memory devices of the module such that row hammer affects different neighboring row addresses in each memory device. Thus, because the mapped respective, externally received, row addresses applied to each device ensure that each set of neighboring rows for a given row address received by the module is different for each memory device on the module, row hammering of a given externally addressed row spreads the row hammering errors across different externally addressed rows on each memory device. This has the effect of confining the row hammer errors for each row that is hammered to a single memory device per externally addressed neighboring row. By confining the row hammer errors to a single memory device, the row hammer errors are correctible using a SDDC scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Taeksang Song, Steven C. Woo, Torsten Partsch
  • Patent number: 12079486
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for implementing high-throughput low-latency hybrid memory modules with improved data backup and restore throughput, enhanced non-volatile memory controller (NVC) resource access, and enhanced mode register setting programmability. Embodiments comprise a command replicator to generate sequences of one or more DRAM read and/or write and/or other commands to be executed in response to certain local commands from a non-volatile memory controller (NVC) during data backup and data restore operations. Other embodiments comprise an access engine to enable an NVC in a host control mode to trigger entry into a special mode and issue commands to access a protected register space. Some embodiments comprise a mode register controller to capture and store the data comprising mode register setting commands issued during a host control mode, such that an NVC can program the DRAM mode registers in an NVC control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Aws Shallal, Micheal Miller, Stephen Horn
  • Patent number: 12079135
    Abstract: A memory controller includes logic circuitry to generate a first data address identifying a location in a first external memory array for storing first data, a first tag address identifying a location in a second external memory array for storing a first tag, a second data address identifying a location in the second external memory array for storing second data, and a second tag address identifying a location in the first external memory array for storing a second tag. The memory controller includes an interface that transfers the first data address and the first tag address for a first set of memory operations in the first and the second external memory arrays. The interface transfers the second data address and the second tag address for a second set of memory operations in the first and the second external memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 12072817
    Abstract: A method of operation of a flash integrated circuit (IC) memory device is described. The flash IC memory device has an array of memory cells and an interface to receive control, address and data signals using an internal reference voltage. The method includes, at boot-up, initializing the internal reference voltage to a default voltage. At boot-up, the interface is operable to receive, using the internal reference voltage, signals having a first voltage swing at a first signaling frequency. The method includes receiving a first command that specifies calibration of the interface during a calibration mode. The calibration mode is used to calibrate the interface to operate at a second signaling frequency and receive signals having a second voltage swing. The second voltage swing is smaller than the first voltage swing and the second signaling frequency is higher than the first signaling frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Pravin Kumar Venkatesan, Liji Gopalakrishnan, Kashinath Ullhas Prabhu, Makarand Ajit Shirasgaonkar
  • Patent number: 12073111
    Abstract: A control component implements pipelined data processing operations in either of two timing domains bridged by a domain-crossing circuit according to one or more configuration signals that indicate relative clock frequencies of the two domain and/or otherwise indicate which of the two timing domains will complete the data processing operations with lowest latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Miller, Dongyun Lee
  • Patent number: 12072807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic random access memory that has columns, data rows, tag rows and comparators. Each comparator compares address bits and tag information bits from the tag rows to determine a cache hit and generate address bits to access data information in the DRAM as a multiway set associative cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Frederick A. Ware, Michael Raymond Miller, Collins Williams
  • Patent number: 12072802
    Abstract: A hybrid memory includes cache of relatively fast and durable dynamic, random-access memory (DRAM) in service of a larger amount of relatively slow and wear-sensitive flash memory. An address buffer on the module maintains a static, random-access memory (SRAM) cache of addresses for data cached in DRAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 12074623
    Abstract: Decision feedback equalization (DFE) is used to help reduce inter-symbol interference (ISI) from a data signal received via a band-limited (or otherwise non-ideal) channel. A first PAM-4 DFE architecture has low latency from the output of the samplers to the application of the first DFE tap feedback to the input signal. This is accomplished by not decoding the sampler outputs in order to generate the feedback signal for the first DFE tap. Rather, weighted versions of the raw sampler outputs are applied directly to the input signal without further analog or digital processing. Additional PAM-4 DFE architectures use the current symbol in addition to previous symbol(s) to determine the DFE feedback signal. Another architecture transmits PAM-4 signaling using non-uniform pre-emphasis. The non-uniform pre-emphasis allows a speculative DFE receiver to resolve the transmitted PAM-4 signals with fewer comparators/samplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Masum Hossain, Nhat Nguyen, Yikui Jen Dong, Arash Zargaran-Yazd, Wendemagegnehu Beyene
  • Patent number: 12066958
    Abstract: A memory controller includes a clock generator to generate a first clock signal and a timing circuit to generate a second clock signal from the first clock signal. The second clock signal times communications with any of a plurality of memory devices in respective ranks, including a first memory device in a first rank and a second memory device in a second rank. The timing circuit is configured to adjust a phase of the first clock signal, when the memory controller is communicating with the second memory device, based on calibration data associated with the second memory device and timing adjustment data associated with feedback from at least the first memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Ian P. Shaeffer, John Eble