Patents by Inventor James A. McCall

James A. McCall 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: 20250141134
    Abstract: A multi-slot connector having reduced DIMM-to-DIMM pitch distances can support up to 64 memory channels for next generation DDR (double data rate) technology, including DDR6. To support the increase in memory channels, while compensating for limited form factor motherboards, the multi-slot connector includes two or more slots for devices, such as DIMMs, to connect to a motherboard or other platform. Reduced pitch distances between the DIMMs, shortened connector pins, thinner contacts, and complementary reduced pitch distances in a ball grid array (BGA) used to connect to the motherboard or other platform, provides a compact multi-slot connector that can support up to 64 memory channels with improved performance characteristics. An optional cooling device can be employed between the slots as needed to maintain optimal performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Xiang LI, George VERGIS, James A. McCALL, Yanjie ZHU
  • Publication number: 20250006250
    Abstract: Techniques to couple a high bandwidth memory device on a silicon substrate and a package substrate are disclosed. Examples include selectively activating input/out (I/O) or command and address (CA) contacts on a bottom side of a logic layer for the high bandwidth device based on a mode of operation. The I/O and CA contacts are for accessing one or more memory devices include in the high bandwidth memory device via one or more data channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Applicant: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong J. ZHAO, James A. McCALL, Shigeki TOMISHIMA, George VERGIS, Kuljit S. BAINS
  • Patent number: 12087352
    Abstract: Techniques to couple a high bandwidth memory device on a silicon substrate and a package substrate are disclosed. Examples include selectively activating input/out (I/O) or command and address (CA) contacts on a bottom side of a logic layer for the high bandwidth device based on a mode of operation. The I/O and CA contacts are for accessing one or more memory devices include in the high bandwidth memory device via one or more data channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong J. Zhao, James A. McCall, Shigeki Tomishima, George Vergis, Kuljit S. Bains
  • Patent number: 12073906
    Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a pattern of pins where the signals assigned to the pins are arranged in a manner to reduce cross-talk. In some examples, a socket substrate includes a first group of pins that includes a first group of data (DQ) pins separated by at least two Voltage Source Supply (VSS) pins from a second group of DQ pins and a third group of DQ pins separated by at least two VSS pins from a fourth group of DQ pins. In some examples, data strobe signal (DQS) pins are positioned in a column between the first and third groups of DQ pins and the second and fourth groups of DQ pins. In some examples, a second group of pins includes a first group of DQ pins separated by at least two VSS pins from a second group of DQ pins and a third group of DQ pins separated by at least two VSS pins from a fourth group of DQ pins. In some examples, the second group of pins, DQS pins are positioned between the first and third groups of DQ pins and the second and fourth groups of DQ pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chong J. Zhao, James A. McCall, Robert J. Friar, Yidnekachew S. Mekonnen, San K. Chhay
  • Publication number: 20240237193
    Abstract: An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a memory module. The memory module includes a first printed circuit board having a first transmission line. The first printed circuit board has memory chips disposed thereon. The memory module includes a second printed board having a second transmission line that is coupled to the first transmission line to form a signal path through the first and second printed circuit boards. The second printed circuit board has greater flexibility than the first printed circuit board. The memory module includes a connector to align an I/O that is coupled to the second transmission line with a corresponding I/O that is associated with a motherboard that is to send and/or receive a signal to and/or from the signal path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Yi HUANG, Xiaoning YE, Kai XIAO, James A. McCALL, Yanjie ZHU
  • Publication number: 20240145996
    Abstract: A new connector implemented with connector pins to reduce crosstalk significantly improves memory channel electrical performance for next generation DDR (double data rate) technology. To reduce crosstalk the connector pins include pins with three different pin shapes, including two differently shaped signal pins and a ground pin that combines the shapes of the signal pins. The shaped pins enables them to be positioned in a connector so that each signal pin can have its own independent and separate signal return path on a single ground pin. In this manner, crosstalk can be significantly reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Xiang LI, George VERGIS, James A. McCALL
  • Publication number: 20240088069
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are integrated circuit (IC) supports with microstrips, and related embodiments. For example, an IC support may include a plurality of microstrips and a plurality of conductive segments. Individual ones of the conductive segments may be at least partially over at least two microstrips, a dielectric material may be between the plurality of microstrips and the plurality of conductive segments, and the conductive segments are included in a tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Wenzhi Wang, Xiaoning Ye, Yunhui Chu, Chunfei Ye, James A. McCall
  • Publication number: 20240029785
    Abstract: Techniques to couple a high bandwidth memory device on a silicon substrate and a package substrate are disclosed. Examples include selectively activating input/out (I/O) or command and address (CA) contacts on a bottom side of a logic layer for the high bandwidth device based on a mode of operation. The I/O and CA contacts are for accessing one or more memory devices include in the high bandwidth memory device via one or more data channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong J. ZHAO, James A. McCALL, Shigeki TOMISHIMA, George VERGIS, Kuljit S. BAINS
  • Publication number: 20240028531
    Abstract: A memory subsystem triggers dynamic switching for memory devices to provide access to active memory devices and prevent access to inactive memory devices. Dynamic switching enables a single bus to switch between multiple memory devices whose capacity otherwise exceeds the capacity of the single bus. A switch can be mounted in a memory module or directly on a motherboard alongside the memory devices. A memory controller can toggle a chip select signal as a single control signal to drive the switch. Each switch includes pairs of field effect transistors (FETs), including any of CMOS, NMOS and PMOS FETs. The switch electrically isolates inactive memory devices to prevent access without the need to electrically short the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: John R. DREW, James A. McCALL, Tongyan ZHAI, Jun LIAO, Min Suet LIM, Shigeki TOMISHIMA
  • Patent number: 11776619
    Abstract: Techniques to couple a high bandwidth memory device on a silicon substrate and a package substrate are disclosed. Examples include selectively activating input/out (I/O) or command and address (CA) contacts on a bottom side of a logic layer for the high bandwidth device based on a mode of operation. The I/O and CA contacts are for accessing one or more memory devices include in the high bandwidth memory device via one or more data channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong J. Zhao, James A. McCall, Shigeki Tomishima, George Vergis, Kuljit S. Bains
  • Publication number: 20230214669
    Abstract: Decision feedback equalization (DFE) training time in a memory device is reduced through the use of a hybrid search to select values of tap coefficients for taps in the DFE. The hybrid search includes two searches. A first search is performed to identify initial values of tap coefficients, a second search uses the initial values of tap coefficients to find the final values of tap coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Wenzhi WANG, Yunhui CHU, James A. McCALL, Chunfei YE, Tonia M. ROSE, Caroline GRIMES
  • Publication number: 20230145937
    Abstract: Techniques to couple a high bandwidth memory device on a silicon substrate and a package substrate are disclosed. Examples include selectively activating input/out (I/O) or command and address (CA) contacts on a bottom side of a logic layer for the high bandwidth device based on a mode of operation. The I/O and CA contacts are for accessing one or more memory devices include in the high bandwidth memory device via one or more data channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong J. ZHAO, James A. McCALL, Shigeki TOMISHIMA, George VERGIS, Kuijit S. BAINS
  • Publication number: 20230044892
    Abstract: According to examples, a memory module with module rows of conductive contacts can enable multiple memory channels to be connected to the same memory module. In one example, a memory module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first face, a second face, and an edge to be received by a connector. The memory module includes a plurality of memory chips on at least one of the first and second faces of the PCB. The memory module includes two or more rows of conductive contacts on each of the first and second faces of the PCB, the two rows including a first row of conductive contacts proximate to the edge of the PCB to be received by the connector, and a second row of conductive contacts between the first row and a second edge of the PCB opposite to the first edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Xiang LI, Saravanan SETHURAMAN, George VERGIS, James A. McCALL
  • Patent number: 11557333
    Abstract: Techniques to couple a high bandwidth memory device on a silicon substrate and a package substrate are disclosed. Examples include selectively activating input/out (I/O) or command and address (CA) contacts on a bottom side of a logic layer for the high bandwidth device based on a mode of operation. The I/O and CA contacts are for accessing one or more memory devices include in the high bandwidth memory device via one or more data channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong J. Zhao, James A. McCall, Shigeki Tomishima, George Vergis, Kuljit S. Bains
  • Publication number: 20220418090
    Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a system that includes: a circuit board comprising a plurality of layers, first and second conductive connections, first and second trace portions, first, second, and third routings, and a via wherein: the first conductive connection is coupled to the first trace portion, the second conductive connection is coupled to the second trace portion, the first routing is formed in a first layer of the plurality of layers, the second routing is formed in a second layer of the plurality of layers, the third routing is formed in the first layer of the plurality of layers, a portion of the first routing overlaps with a portion of the second routing to provide a capacitive region, and the via conductively couples a portion of the second routing overlaps with a portion of the third routing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Landon HANKS, Xiang LI, George VERGIS, James A. McCALL
  • Publication number: 20220393682
    Abstract: A system has an unmatched communication architecture for a unidirectional command bus and compensates for drift on the command bus based on data provided on a bidirectional data bus. The memory device has an oscillator to measure drift or an amount of delay for the command bus over a time interval. The memory device can return a value over the data bus to the memory controller based on the delay measured with the oscillator. Based on receiving the value, the memory controller can adjust configuration settings for communication on the command bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: James A. McCALL, Kuljit S. BAINS, Christopher P. MOZAK
  • Publication number: 20220304142
    Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a system that includes: a circuit board comprising a plurality of layers and at least one conductive connection. In some examples, the at least one conductive connection is connected to a layer of the plurality of layers. In some examples, at least one layer of the plurality of layers comprises a conductive material. In some examples, the at least two layers of the plurality of layers comprise conductive material that extend in an axis towards the at least one conductive connection but do not overlap with the at least one layer of the plurality of layers comprising the conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Xiang LI, Landon HANKS, George VERGIS, James A. McCALL
  • Publication number: 20220263262
    Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a system that includes: a first signal pin and a first ground pin adjacent to the first signal pin. In some examples, the first signal pin comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. In some examples, the first ground pin comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the second portion of the first signal pin comprises a vertical mount, the second portion of the first ground pin comprises a vertical mount, and the second portion of the first signal pin and the second portion of the first ground pin are arranged proximate one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Landon HANKS, Xiang LI, George VERGIS, James A. McCALL
  • Patent number: 11335395
    Abstract: A memory subsystem triggers entry and exit of a memory device from low power mode with a chip select (CS) signal line. For a system where the command bus has no clock enable (CKE) signal line, the system can trigger low power modes with CS instead of CKE. The low power mode can include a powerdown state. The low power mode can include a self-refresh state. The memory device includes an interface to the command bus, and receives a CS signal combined with command encoding on the command bus to trigger a low power mode state change. The memory device can be configured to monitor the CS signal and selected other command signals while in low power mode. The system can send an ODT trigger while the memory device is in low power mode, even without a dedicated ODT signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cox, Kuljit S. Bains, Christopher P. Mozak, James A. McCall, Akshith Vasanth, Bill Nale
  • Publication number: 20220122929
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a substrate with traces for high speed communication that are subject to crosstalk. The traces include overlapping pads on different layers of the substrate, which can increase the mutual capacitance of the signal lines, which will offset the mutual inductance. Thus, the overlapping pads can reduce the crosstalk between the signal traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Xiang LI, George VERGIS, James A. McCALL