Patents by Inventor Frederick Ware

Frederick Ware 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: 11307243
    Abstract: A memory controller instantiated on a semiconductor IC device comprises a timing circuit to transfer a timing signal, the timing circuit being configured to receive a first test signal and to effect a delay in the timing signal in response to the first test signal, the first test signal including a first timing event. The memory controller further comprises an interface circuit configured to transfer the data signal in response to the timing signal, the interface circuit being further configured to receive a second test signal and to effect a delay in the data signal in response to the second test signal, the second test signal including a second timing event that is related to the first timing event according to a test criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11309017
    Abstract: A memory module with multiple memory devices includes a buffer system that manages communication between a memory controller and the memory devices. Each memory device supports an access mode and a low-power mode, the latter used to save power for devices that are not immediately needed. The module provides granular power management using a chip-select decoder that decodes chip-select signals from the memory controller into power-state signals that determine which of the memory devices are in which of the modes. Devices can thus be brought out of the low-power mode in relatively small numbers, as needed, to limit power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, James E. Harris
  • Patent number: 11309015
    Abstract: Memory devices, controllers and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device is disclosed. The memory device includes storage cells that are each formed with a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor having a floating body. Data is stored as charge in the floating body. A transfer interface receives a read command to access data stored in a first group of the storage cells. Sensing circuitry detects the data stored in the first group of storage cells. The transfer interface selectively performs a writeback operation of the sensed data associated with the read command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Zhichao Lu, Kenneth Lee Wright
  • Patent number: 11308009
    Abstract: Memory controllers, devices, modules, systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) memory component is disclosed that includes a memory core, a primary interface, and a secondary interface. The primary interface includes data input/output (I/O) circuitry and control/address (C/A) input circuitry, and accesses the memory core during a normal mode of operation. The secondary interface accesses the memory core during a fault mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Patent number: 11302367
    Abstract: A lateral transfer path within an adjustable-width signaling interface of an integrated circuit component is formed by a chain of logic segments that may be intercoupled in different groups to effect the lateral data transfer required in different interface width configurations, avoiding the need for a dedicated transfer path per width configuration and thereby substantially reducing number of interconnects (and thus the area) required to implement the lateral transfer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11301378
    Abstract: A hybrid volatile/non-volatile memory module employs a relatively fast, durable, and expensive dynamic, random-access memory (DRAM) cache to store a subset of data from a larger amount of relatively slow and inexpensive nonvolatile memory (NVM). A module controller prioritizes accesses to the DRAM cache for improved speed performance and to minimize programming cycles to the NVM. Data is first written to the DRAM cache where it can be accessed (written to and read from) without the aid of the NVM. Data is only written to the NVM when that data is evicted from the DRAM cache to make room for additional data. Mapping tables relating NVM addresses to physical addresses are distributed throughout the DRAM cache using cache line bits that are not used for data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Christopher Haywood
  • Publication number: 20220101912
    Abstract: Described are memory modules that support different error detection and correction (EDC) schemes in both single- and multiple-module memory systems. The memory modules are width configurable and support the different EDC schemes for relatively wide and narrow module data widths. Data buffers on the modules support the half-width and full-width modes, and also support time-division-multiplexing to access additional memory components on each module in support of enhanced EDC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220101908
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device outputs a sequence of differently delayed calibration data timing signals to a DRAM component via a data-signal timing line as part of a timing calibration operation and then stores a delay value, based on at least one of the calibration data timing signals, that compensates for a difference in signal propagation times over the data-signal timing line and a command/address-signal timing line. After the timing calibration operation, the integrated circuit device outputs write data to the DRAM component and outputs a write data timing signal, delayed according to the delay value, to via the data-signal timing line to time reception of the first write data within the DRAM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ware
  • Publication number: 20220083342
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including memory to store image data and filter weights, and a plurality of multiply-accumulator execution pipelines, each multiply-accumulator execution pipeline coupled to the memory to receive (i) image data and (ii) filter weights, wherein each multiply-accumulator execution pipeline processes the image data, using associated filter weights, via a plurality of multiply and accumulate operations. In one embodiment, the multiply-accumulator circuitry of each multiply-accumulator execution pipeline, in operation, receives a different set of image data, each set including a plurality of image data, and, using filter weights associated with the received set of image data, processes the set of image data associated therewith, via performing a plurality of multiply and accumulate operations concurrently with the multiply-accumulator circuitry of the other multiply-accumulator execution pipelines, to generate output data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Flex Logix Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Cheng C. Wang
  • Publication number: 20220084571
    Abstract: A memory controller includes an interface to receive a data strobe signal and corresponding read data. The data strobe signal and the read data correspond to a read command issued by the memory controller, and the read data is received in accordance with the data strobe signal and an enable signal. A circuit in the memory controller is to dynamically adjust a timing offset between the enable signal and the data strobe signal, and control logic is to issue a supplemental read command in accordance with a determination that a time interval since a last read command issued by the memory controller exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Bret Stott, Frederick A. Ware, Ian P. Shaeffer, Yuanlong Wang
  • Patent number: 11276440
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory controller with a plurality N of memory-controller blocks, each of which conveys independent transaction requests over external request ports. The request ports are coupled, via point-to-point connections, to from one to N memory devices, each of which includes N independently addressable memory blocks. All of the external request ports are connected to respective external request ports on the memory device or devices used in a given configuration. The number of request ports per memory device and the data width of each memory device changes with the number of memory devices such that the ratio of the request-access granularity to the data granularity remains constant irrespective of the number of memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Perego, Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11270741
    Abstract: Row activation operations within a memory component are carried out with respect to subrows instead of complete storage rows to reduce power consumption. Further, instead of activating subrows in response to row commands, subrow activation operations are deferred until receipt of column commands that specify the column operation to be performed and the subrow to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Harris, Thomas Vogelsang, Frederick A. Ware, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Publication number: 20220069975
    Abstract: A signaling system is disclosed. The signaling system includes a first integrated circuit (IC) chip to receive a data signal and a strobe signal. The first IC includes circuitry to sample the data signal at times indicated by the strobe signal to generate phase error information and circuitry to output the phase error information from the first IC device. The system further includes a signaling link and a second IC chip coupled to the first IC chip via the signaling link to output the data signal and the strobe signal to the first IC chip. The second IC chip includes delay circuitry to generate the strobe signal by delaying an aperiodic timing signal for a first time interval and timing control circuitry to receive the phase error information from the first IC chip and adjust the first time interval in accordance with the phase error information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Bret G. Stott, Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware
  • Publication number: 20220066672
    Abstract: A compute system includes an execution unit (e.g. of a CPU) with a memory controller providing access to a hybrid physical memory. The physical memory is “hybrid” in that it combines a cache of relatively fast, durable, and expensive memory (e.g. DRAM) with a larger amount of relatively slow, wear-sensitive, and inexpensive memory (e.g. flash). A hybrid controller component services memory commands from the memory controller component and additionally manages cache fetch and evict operations that keep the cache populated with instructions and data that have a high degree of locality of reference. The memory controller alerts the hybrid controller of available access slots to the cache so that the hybrid controller can use the available access slots for cache fetch and evict operations with minimal interference to the memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt
  • Patent number: 11264085
    Abstract: In a memory component having a page buffer with 2N independently accessible regions, N bits of a command/address value are decoded to access contents within a first one of the 2N page-buffer regions if a configuration value specifies a first addressing resolution and, if the configuration value specifies a second addressing resolution, a composite address that includes fewer than N bits of the command/address value together with a plurality of bits generated within the memory component to access contents within a second one of the 2N page-buffer regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20220057994
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising a plurality MAC pipelines wherein each MAC pipeline includes: (i) a plurality of MACs connected in series and (ii) a plurality of data paths including an accumulation data path, wherein each MAC includes a multiplier to multiply to generate product data and an accumulator to generate sum data. The integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of control/configure circuits, wherein each control/configure circuit connects directly to and is associated with a MAC pipeline, wherein each control/configure circuit includes an accumulation data path which is configurable to directly connect to the accumulation data path of the MAC pipeline to form an accumulation ring when the control/configure circuit is configured in an accumulation mode, and an output data path configurable to directly connect to the output of the accumulation data path of the MAC pipeline when the control/configure circuit is configured in an output data mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Flex Logix Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Cheng C. Wang
  • Patent number: 11258522
    Abstract: A method and system that provides for execution of a first calibration sequence, such as upon initialization of a system, to establish an operation value, which utilizes an algorithm intended to be exhaustive, and executing a second calibration sequence from time to time, to measure drift in the parameter, and to update the operation value in response to the measured drift. The second calibration sequence utilizes less resources of the communication channel than does the first calibration sequence. In one embodiment, the first calibration sequence for measurement and convergence on the operation value utilizes long calibration patterns, such as codes that are greater than 30 bytes, or pseudorandom bit sequences having lengths of 2N?1 bits, where N is equal to or greater than 7, while the second calibration sequence utilizes short calibration patterns, such as fixed codes less than 16 bytes, and for example as short as 2 bytes long.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Hampel, Frederick A. Ware, Richard E. Perego
  • Patent number: 11256613
    Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for “leveling” or averaging out more evenly the number of activate/precharge cycles seen by the rows of a memory component, so that one or more particular rows are not excessively stressed (relative to the other rows). In one embodiment, a memory controller includes remapping facilities arranged to move data stored in a physical row from RPK to RPK? and modify the mapping from logical row RLK while minimizing impact on normal read/write operations. Remapping operations may be scheduled relative to refresh or other maintenance operations. Remapping operations may be conditionally deferred so as to minimize performance impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Craig E. Hampel
  • Patent number: 11257544
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a first resistive memory element, a second resistive memory element electrically coupled with the first resistive memory element at a common node, and a switching element comprising an input terminal electrically coupled with the common node, the switching element comprising a driver configured to float during one or more operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hefei Reliance Memory Limited
    Inventors: Deepak Chandra Sekar, Gary Bela Bronner, Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11257539
    Abstract: A memory stack comprises at least two memory components. The memory components have a first data link interface and are to transmit signals on a data link coupled to the first data link interface at a first voltage level. A buffer component has a second data link interface coupled to the data link. The buffer component is to receive signals on the second data link interface at the first voltage level. A level shifting latch produces a second voltage level in response to receiving the signals at the second data link interface, where the second voltage level is higher than the first voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Thomas Vogelsang