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).

  • Publication number: 20230376249
    Abstract: A micro-threaded memory device. A plurality of storage banks are provided, each including a plurality of rows of storage cells and having an access restriction in that at least a minimum access time interval must transpire between successive accesses to a given row of the storage cells. Transfer control circuitry is provided to transfer a first amount of data between the plurality of storage banks and an external signal path in response to a first memory access request, the first amount of data being less than a product of the external signal path bandwidth and the minimum access time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Craig E. Hampel, Wayne S. Richardson, Chad A. Bellows, Lawrence Lai
  • Publication number: 20230377668
    Abstract: A method of operation in an integrated circuit (IC) memory device is disclosed. The method includes refreshing a first group of storage rows in the IC memory device at a first refresh rate. A retention time for each of the rows is tested. The testing for a given row under test includes refreshing at a second refresh rate that is slower than the first refresh rate. The testing is interruptible based on an access request for data stored in the given row under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ely Tsern, Frederick A Ware, Suresh Rajan, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11823732
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein describe technologies for using the memory modules in different modes of operation, such as in a standard multi-drop mode or as in a dynamic point-to-point (DPP) mode (also referred to herein as an enhanced mode). The memory modules can also be inserted in the sockets of the memory system in different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Suresh Rajan, Scott C. Best
  • Patent number: 11822822
    Abstract: An memory component includes a memory bank and a command interface to receive a read-modify-write command, having an associated read address indicating a location in the memory bank and to either access read data from the location in the memory bank indicated by the read address after an adjustable delay period transpires from a time at which the read-modify-write command was received or to overlap multiple read-modify-write commands. The memory component further includes a data interface to receive write data associated with the read-modify-write command and an error correction circuit to merge the received write data with the read data to form a merged data and write the merged data to the location in the memory bank indicated by the read address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11815940
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely Tsern, John Eric Linstadt, Thomas J. Giovannini, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20230360695
    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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, James E. Harris
  • Publication number: 20230359437
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes broadcast data paths, a weighting-value memory, multiply-accumulate (MAC) units, and shared shift-out circuitry. The MAC units are coupled in common to each of the broadcast data paths and coupled to receive respective weighting values from the weighting-value memory via respective weighting-value paths. Each of the MAC units includes MAC circuits that each receive an input data value via a respective one of the broadcast data paths and a shared one of the weighting values via a shared one of the respective weighting-value paths; generate a sequence of multiplication products by multiplying the input data value with the shared one of the weighting values; accumulate a sum of the multiplication products; and output the sum of the multiplication products to a respective one of a plurality of serially coupled storage elements within the shared shift-out path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Cheng C. Wang
  • Publication number: 20230359559
    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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Christopher Haywood
  • Publication number: 20230359526
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Wright, Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11809712
    Abstract: Memory modules, systems, memory controllers and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory module includes a module substrate having first and second memory devices. Buffer circuitry disposed on the substrate couples to the first and second memory devices via respective first and second secondary interfaces. The buffer circuitry includes a primary signaling interface for coupling to a group of signaling links associated with a memory controller. The primary signaling interface operates at a primary signaling rate and the first and second secondary data interfaces operate at a secondary signaling rate. During a first mode of operation, the primary interface signaling rate is at least twice the secondary signaling rate. A first time interval associated with a transfer of first column data via the first secondary interface temporally overlaps a second time interval involving second column data transferred via the second secondary interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely Tsern
  • Patent number: 11811397
    Abstract: An signal switching integrated-circuit die includes an array of switch cells, control signal contacts, data input contacts and data output contacts. Switch control signals are received from an external control-signal source via respective control signal contacts, inbound data signals are received from one or more external data-signal sources via respective data input contacts and outbound data signals are conveyed to one or more external data-signal destinations via respective data output contacts. The array of switch cells receives the control signals directly from the control signal contacts and response to the control signals by switchably interconnecting the data input contacts with selected ones of the data output contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Carl W. Werner
  • Patent number: 11803328
    Abstract: An integrated-circuit memory component receives, as part of respective first and second memory read transactions, a first column access command that identifies a first volume of data and a second column read command that identifies a second volume of data, the second volume of data being constituted by not more than half as many data bits as the first volume of data. In response to receiving the first column access command, the integrated-circuit memory component transmits the first volume of data as N parallel bit-serial data signals over N external signaling links. In response to receiving the second column access command, the integrated-circuit memory component transmits the second volume of data as M parallel bit-serial data signals over M of the N external signaling links, where M is less than N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11804259
    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: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Zhichao Lu, Kenneth Lee Wright
  • Patent number: 11803323
    Abstract: A cascaded memory system includes a memory module having a primary interface coupled to a memory controller via a first communication channel and a secondary interface coupled to a second memory module via a second communication channel. The first memory module buffers and repeats signals received on the primary and secondary interfaces to enable communications between the memory controller and the secondary memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Haywood, Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11804250
    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: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Harris, Thomas Vogelsang, Frederick A. Ware, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Patent number: 11797227
    Abstract: A micro-threaded memory device. A plurality of storage banks are provided, each including a plurality of rows of storage cells and having an access restriction in that at least a minimum access time interval must transpire between successive accesses to a given row of the storage cells. Transfer control circuitry is provided to transfer a first amount of data between the plurality of storage banks and an external signal path in response to a first memory access request, the first amount of data being less than a product of the external signal path bandwidth and the minimum access time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Craig E. Hampel, Wayne S. Richardson, Chad A. Bellows, Lawrence Lai
  • Publication number: 20230335177
    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: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ware
  • Patent number: 11790973
    Abstract: A memory component includes a first memory bank. The first memory bank has a plurality of sub-arrays having sub-rows of memory elements. The memory component includes a write driver, coupled to the first memory bank, to perform a write operation of an entire sub-row of a sub-array. To perform the write operation, the write driver is to load a burst of write data to the memory bank. The memory bank may then activate a plurality of sense amplifiers associated with a plurality of memory elements of the entire sub-row to load the burst of write data to the plurality of sense amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John Eric Linstadt, Brent Steven Haukness, Kenneth L. Wright, Thomas Vogelsang
  • Patent number: 11790962
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Bret Stott, Frederick A. Ware, Ian P. Shaeffer, Yuanlong Wang
  • Patent number: 11782788
    Abstract: A hybrid volatile/non-volatile memory 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). The memory supports error-detection and correction (EDC) techniques by allocating a fraction of DRAM storage to information calculated for each unit of stored data that can be used to detect and correct errors. An interface between the DRAM cache and NVM executes a wear-leveling scheme that aggregates and distributes NVM data and EDC write operations in a manner that prolongs service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Ware