Patents by Inventor Donald C. Stark

Donald C. Stark 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: 10310999
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Publication number: 20180095916
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Patent number: 9824036
    Abstract: Described are memory systems in which a memory controller issues commands and addresses to multiple memory modules that collectively support each read and write transactions. A common set of control signal lines from the controller communicates the same command and address signals to the modules. For write commands, the controller sends subsets of write data to each module over a respective subset of data lines. For read commands, each module responds with a subset of the requested data over the respective subset of data lines. The memory modules can be width configurable so that a single full-width module can connect to both subsets of data lines to convey full-width data, or two half-width modules can connect one each to the subsets of data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Perego, Donald C. Stark, Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 9785589
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Publication number: 20170031854
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Patent number: 9405678
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Patent number: 9257151
    Abstract: Described is a printed-circuit board (PCB) that supports memory systems in which the memory core organization changes with device width. The PCB includes a memory-controller mounting location and module connectors to receive respective memory modules. Each module connector connects directly to the controller mounting location via a respective set of system data lines that does not connect to any other module connector. System data lines also extend directly between module connectors to support memory configurations with different numbers of modules. The memory systems support one memory module of a wide data width or multiple memory modules of narrower data widths. The number of physical memory banks accessed reduces with device data width, resulting in reduced power usage for relatively narrow memory configurations. Increasing the number of logic memory banks for narrow memory widths reduces the likelihood of bank conflicts, and consequently improves speed performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Perego, Donald C. Stark, Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel
  • Publication number: 20160011973
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Patent number: 9164933
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Publication number: 20150234754
    Abstract: Described are memory systems in which a memory controller issues commands and addresses to multiple memory modules that collectively support each read and write transactions. A common set of control signal lines from the controller communicates the same command and address signals to the modules. For write commands, the controller sends subsets of write data to each module over a respective subset of data lines. For read commands, each module responds with a subset of the requested data over the respective subset of data lines. The memory modules can be width configurable so that a single full-width module can connect to both subsets of data lines to convey full-width data, or two half-width modules can connect one each to the subsets of data lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Richard E. Perego, Donald C. Stark, Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel
  • Publication number: 20150169478
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Patent number: 8948212
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Publication number: 20140293671
    Abstract: Describes is a memory system that utilizes motherboard traces in a way that permits maximum utilization of system data lines while accommodating varying numbers of memory modules. It is possible in a system such as this to utilize all individual sets of point-to-point signaling lines, even when less than all of the available memory sockets are occupied. Memory modules with configurable data widths support a relatively wide mode in which one module utilizes all available system data lines, or a relatively narrow mode in which multiple, narrower modules split the available system data lines between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Perego, Donald C. Stark, Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel
  • Publication number: 20140229667
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Patent number: 8769234
    Abstract: Described are memory apparatus organized in physical banks and including configurable data control circuit to support multiple data-width configurations. Relatively narrow width configurations load fewer sense amplifiers, resulting in reduced power usage for relatively narrow memory configurations. Also described are memory controllers that convey configuration value to configurable memory apparatus and support point-to-point data buffers for multiple width configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Perego, Donald C. Stark, Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 8630317
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit operable to transmit a timing signal over a first wire to a DRAM. The DRAM receives a first signal having a balanced number of logical zero-to-one transitions and one-to-zero transitions and samples the first signal at a rising edge of the timing signal to produce a respective sampled value. The device further includes a receiver circuit to receive the respective sampled value from the DRAM over a plurality of wires separate from the first wire. In a first mode, the transmitter circuit repeatedly transmits incrementally offset versions of the timing signal to the DRAM until sampled values received from the DRAM change from a logical zero to a logical one or vice versa; and in a second mode, it transmits write data over the plurality of wires to the DRAM according to a write timing offset generated based on the sampled values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Jared LeVan Zerbe, Kevin S. Donnelly, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Donald C. Stark, Mark A. Horowitz, Leung Yu, Roxanne Vu, Jun Kim, Bruno W. Garlepp, Tsyr-Chyang Ho, Benedict Chung-Kwong Lau
  • Publication number: 20130286706
    Abstract: Described are memory apparatus organized in physical banks and including configurable data control circuit to support multiple data-width configurations. Relatively narrow width configurations load fewer sense amplifiers, resulting in reduced power usage for relatively narrow memory configurations. Also described are memory controllers that convey configuration value to configurable memory apparatus and support point-to-point data buffers for multiple width configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Richard E. Perego, Donald C. Stark, Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8412906
    Abstract: Described are memory apparatus organized in memory subsections and including configurable routing to support multiple data-width configurations. Relatively narrow width configurations load fewer sense amplifiers, resulting in reduced power usage for relatively narrow memory configurations. Also described are memory controllers that convey width selection information to configurable memory apparatus and support point-to-point data interfaces for multiple width configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Perego, Donald C. Stark, Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 8313712
    Abstract: The current invention provide a microfluidic valve having a housing that includes a microfluid control port disposed adjacent to a microfluid exhaust port, where a movable rigid material having a first diameter is disposed in the housing between the microfluid control port and the microfluid exhaust port. The housing further includes a microfluid pressure port having a first microfluid pressure. The microfluid pressure port is connected to the microfluid exhaust port by a microfluid valve orifice having a second diameter, where the first diameter is larger than the second diameter, and when a second microfluid pressure is applied to the control port the moveable rigid material closes the microfluid valve orifice, where the first microfluid pressure is greater than the second microfluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Jessica E. Melin, Donald C. Stark, James A. Weaver