Abstract: A controller includes a link interface that is to couple to a first link to communicate bi-directional data and a second link to transmit unidirectional error-detection information. An encoder is to dynamically add first error-detection information to at least a portion of write data. A transmitter, coupled to the link interface, is to transmit the write data. A delay element is coupled to an output from the encoder. A receiver, coupled to the link interface, is to receive second error-detection information corresponding to at least the portion of the write data. Error-detection logic is coupled to an output from the delay element and an output from the receiver. The error-detection logic is to determine errors in at least the portion of the write data by comparing the first error-detection information and the second error-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is to assert an error condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for implementing hybrid memory modules with improved inter-memory data transmission paths. The claimed embodiments address the problem of implementing a hybrid memory module that exhibits improved transmission latencies and power consumption when transmitting data between DRAM devices and NVM devices (e.g., flash devices) during data backup and data restore operations. Some embodiments are directed to approaches for providing a direct data transmission path coupling a non-volatile memory controller and the DRAM devices to transmit data between the DRAM devices and the flash devices. In one or more embodiments, the DRAM devices can be port switched devices, with a first port coupled to the data buffers and a second port coupled to the direct data transmission path. Further, in one or more embodiments, such data buffers can be disabled when transmitting data between the DRAM devices and the flash devices.

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.

Abstract: A source-synchronous clocking signal is sampled by an edge sampler triggered by a phase-adjusted version of the clocking signal. The output of the edge sampler is used as a phase-error indicator for a filtered feedback loop that aligns the phase-adjusted clocking signal to minimize, on average, the difference between the received source-synchronous clocking signal and the phase-adjusted version of the clocking signal minus the setup time of the sampler. This forms a delay-locked loop configuration. The phase adjustment information used to produce the aligned phase-adjusted clocking signal is then to produce a receiver clocking signal that is used to sample the source-synchronous data signal.

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.

Abstract: A memory controller component includes transmit circuitry and adjusting circuitry. The transmit circuitry transmits a clock signal and write data to a DRAM, the write data to be sampled by the DRAM using a timing signal. The adjusting circuitry adjusts transmit timing of the write data and of the timing signal such that an edge transition of the timing signal is aligned with an edge transition of the clock signal at the DRAM.

Abstract: A memory system includes dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) components that include interconnected and redundant component data interfaces. The redundant interfaces facilitate memory interconnect topologies that accommodate considerably more DRAM components per memory channel than do traditional memory systems, and thus offer considerably more memory capacity per channel, without concomitant reductions in signaling speeds. The memory components can be configured to route data around defective data connections to maintain full capacity and continue to support memory transactions.

Abstract: Described are integrated-circuit die with differential receivers, the inputs of which are coupled to external signal pads. Termination legs coupled to the signal pads support multiple termination topologies. These termination legs can support adjustable impedances, capacitances, or both, which may be controlled using an integrated memory.

Abstract: A receiver includes a variable resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and variable resolution processing logic/circuitry. The processing logic may use feed-forward equalization (FFE) techniques to process the outputs from the ADC. When receiving data from a channel having low attenuation, distortion, and/or noise, the ADC and processing logic may be configured to sample and process the received signal using fewer bits, and therefore less logic, than when configured to receiving data from a channel having a higher attenuation, distortion, and/or noise. Thus, the number of (valid) bits output by the ADC, and subsequently processed (e.g., for FFE equalization) can be reduced when a receiver of this type is coupled to a low loss channel. These reductions can reduce power consumption when compared to operating the receiver using the full (i.e., maximum) number of bits the ADC and processing logic is capable of processing.

Abstract: A signaling system is described. The signaling system comprises a transmit device, a receive device including a partial response receive circuit, and a signaling path coupling the transmit device and the receive device. The receive device observes an equalized signal from the signaling path, and includes circuitry to use feedback from the most recent previously resolved symbol to sample a currently incoming symbol. The transmit device equalizes transmit data to transmit the equalized signal, by applying weighting based on one or more data values not associated with the most recent previously resolved symbol value.

Abstract: An optical phase grating produces an interference pattern rich in intensity and spatial-frequency information from the external scene. The grating includes an odd number of repeated sets of adjacent horizontal portions, separated by steps, that fill an area that radiates outward from a central region. At a given distance from the central region and within the area of the phase grating, each of the first horizontal portions is of a first width that differs from a second width of the adjacent second horizontal portions. The interference patterns produced by the grating can be processed to extract images and other information of interest about an imaged scene.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein describe technologies of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) components for high-performance, high-capacity registered memory modules, such as registered dual in-line memory modules (RDIMMs). One DRAM component may include a set of memory cells and steering logic. The steering logic may include a first data interface and a second data interface. The first and second data interfaces are selectively coupled to a controller component in a first mode and the first data interface is selectively coupled to the controller component in a second mode and the second data interface is selectively coupled to a second DRAM component in the second mode.

Abstract: A memory controller and buffers on memory modules each operate in two modes, depending on the type of mother-board through which the controller and modules are connected. In a first mode, the controller transmits decoded chip-select signals independently to each module, and the motherboard data channel uses multi-drop connections to each module. In a second mode, the motherboard has point-to-point data channel and command address connections to each of the memory modules, and the controller transmits a fully encoded chip-select signal group to each module. The buffers operate modally to correctly select ranks or partial ranks of memory devices on one or more modules for each transaction, depending on the mode.

Abstract: A method includes providing a data processor having an instruction pipeline, where the instruction pipeline has a plurality of instruction pipeline stages, and where the plurality of instruction pipeline stages includes a first instruction pipeline stage and a second instruction pipeline stage. The method further includes providing a data processor instruction that causes the data processor to perform a first set of computational operations during execution of the data processor instruction, performing the first set of computational operations in the first instruction pipeline stage if the data processor instruction is being executed and a first mode has been selected, and performing the first set of computational operations in the second instruction pipeline stage if the data processor instruction is being executed and a second mode has been selected.

Abstract: A clock and data recovery circuit (CDR) includes a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). A data sampler is coupled to receive a clock signal from the DCO. A deserializer includes an input coupled to an output of the data sampler. A first phase detector is coupled between a first output of the deserializer and a first input of the DCO. A second phase detector is coupled to a second output of the deserializer. An accumulator is coupled between an output of the second phase detector and a second input of the DCO. A frequency lock detection block is coupled to an output of the accumulator. An eye monitor is coupled to an input of the data sampler. The first phase detector controls a delay of the DCO and the accumulator controls a frequency of the DCO. An edge mute signal is coupled to the deserializer.

Abstract: A low-power, high-performance source-synchronous chip interface which provides rapid turn-on and facilitates high signaling rates between a transmitter and a receiver located on different chips is described in various embodiments. Some embodiments of the chip interface include, among others: a segmented “fast turn-on” bias circuit to reduce power supply ringing during the rapid power-on process; current mode logic clock buffers in a clock path of the chip interface to further reduce the effect of power supply ringing; a multiplying injection-locked oscillator (MILO) clock generator to generate higher frequency clock signals from a reference clock; a digitally controlled delay line which can be inserted in the clock path to mitigate deterministic jitter caused by the MILO clock generator; and circuits for periodically re-evaluating whether it is safe to retime transmit data signals in the reference clock domain directly with the faster clock signals.

Abstract: A multi-rank memory system in which calibration operations are performed between a memory controller and one rank of memory while data is transferred between the controller and other ranks of memory. A memory controller performs a calibration operation that calibrates parameters pertaining to transmission of data via a first data bus between the memory controller and a memory device in a first rank of memory. While the controller performs the calibration operation, the controller also transfers data with a memory device in a second rank of memory via a second data bus.

Abstract: A memory space of a module connected to a memory controller via a memory interface may be used as a command buffer. Commands received by the module via the command buffer are executed by the module. The memory controller may write to the command buffer out-of-order. The memory controller may delay or eliminate writes to the command buffer. Tags associated with commands are used to specify the order commands are executed. A status buffer in the memory space of the module is used to communicate whether commands have been received or executed. Information received via the status buffer can be used as a basis for a determination to re-send commands to the command buffer.

Abstract: A memory system includes nonvolatile physical memory, such as flash memory, that exhibits a wear mechanism asymmetrically associated with write operations. A relatively small cache of volatile memory reduces the number of writes, and wear-leveling memory access methods distribute writes evenly over the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: An integrated receiver supports adaptive receive equalization. An incoming bit stream is sampled using edge and data clock signals derived from a reference clock signal. A phase detector determines whether the edge and data clock signals are in phase with the incoming data, while some clock recovery circuitry adjusts the edge and data clock signals as required to match their phases to the incoming data. The receiver employs the edge and data samples used to recover the edge and data clock signals to note the locations of zero crossings for one or more selected data patterns. The pattern or patterns may be selected from among those apt to produce the greatest timing error. Equalization settings may then be adjusted to align the zero crossings of the selected data patterns with the recovered edge clock signal.