Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. Sabrowski

Jeffrey A. Sabrowski 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: 10096353
    Abstract: A refresh command is communicated to a memory device to initiate an interruptible refresh which contains multiple segment refreshes separated by interrupt boundaries. A command is communicated to the memory device before execution of a segment refresh and the segment refresh is delayed at an interrupt boundary. Alternatively, a first number of commands in a queue is determined. A first number of segment refreshes to execute is determined based on the first number of commands. The first number of segment refreshes to execute is communicated to the memory device to cause execution of the first number of segment refreshes. A second number of commands in the queue is determined. A second number of segment refreshes to execute is determined based on the second number of commands. The second number of segment refreshes to execute is communicated to the memory device to cause execution of the second number of segment refreshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Carlos A. Fernandez, Joab D. Henderson, William P. Hovis, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 10067886
    Abstract: This disclosure includes a method for securing a memory of an electronic system that includes initializing the memory, creating a security key, transmitting the security key to memory, storing the security key in the memory, transmitting the current security key and a a new security key to the memory by the memory controller. If the current security key transmitted is the same as the security key stored in memory, then access to the memory is enabled and the current security key in the memory is replaced with the new security key. If the current security key transmitted is not the same as the security key stored in the memory, then access to the memory is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Connolly, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Saravanan Sethuraman, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Patent number: 9972376
    Abstract: A refresh command is received from a memory controller. An interruptible refresh containing multiple segment refreshes is initiated. The segment refreshes are separated by interrupt boundaries. A command is received before execution of a segment refresh. The first command is executed and execution of the first segment refresh is delayed at a first interrupt boundary. Alternatively, a first number of segment refreshes to execute is received from a memory controller. The received first number of segment refreshes is executed. A second number of segment refreshes to execute is received from a memory controller. The received second number of segment refreshes is executed. No segment refreshes are executed between the execution of the first number of segment refreshes and the execution of the second number of segment refreshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Carlos A. Fernandez, Joab D. Henderson, William P. Hovis, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Publication number: 20180067874
    Abstract: This disclosure includes a method for securing a memory of an electronic system that includes initializing the memory, creating a security key, transmitting the security key to memory, storing the security key in the memory, transmitting the current security key and a a new security key to the memory by the memory controller. If the current security key transmitted is the same as the security key stored in memory, then access to the memory is enabled and the current security key in the memory is replaced with the new security key. If the current security key transmitted is not the same as the security key stored in the memory, then access to the memory is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Brian J. Connolly, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Saravanan Sethuraman, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Patent number: 9858208
    Abstract: This disclosure includes a method for securing a memory of an electronic system that includes initializing the memory, creating a security key, transmitting the security key to memory, storing the security key in the memory, transmitting the current security key and a new security key to the memory by the memory controller. If the current security key transmitted is the same as the security key stored in memory, then access to the memory is enabled and the current security key in the memory is replaced with the new security key. If the current security key transmitted is not the same as the security key stored in the memory, then access to the memory is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Connolly, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Saravanan Sethuraman, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Patent number: 9535784
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for monitoring a first Error Correcting Code (ECC) device for failure and replacing the first ECC device with a second ECC device if the first ECC device begins to fail or fails. In a step, an exemplary embodiment performs a loopback test on an ECC device if a specified number of correctable errors is exceeded or if an uncorrectable error occurs. In another step, an exemplary embodiment replaces an ECC device that fails the loopback test with an ECC device that passes a loopback test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Timothy J. Dell, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 9418722
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for refreshing a row of a memory device prior to a scheduled refresh. A memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. The memory array may be configured to be refreshed at a first refresh time interval. The memory device may also include an intermediate refresh circuit. The intermediate refresh circuit may be configured to detect a triggering event and request a refresh for a row of the memory array in response to detecting a triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Joab D. Henderson, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow
  • Patent number: 9348744
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing enhanced reliability of memory subsystems utilizing a dual port Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configuration. The DRAM configuration includes a first buffer and a second buffer, each buffer including a validity counter. The validity counter for a receiving buffer is incremented as each respective data row from a transferring buffer is validated through Error Correction Code (ECC), Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) logic and transferred to the receiving buffer, while the validity counter for the transferring buffer is decremented. Data are read from or written to either the first buffer or the second buffer based upon a respective count value of the validity counters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Carlos A. Fernandez, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 9349432
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying a reference voltage between refreshes in a memory device are disclosed. The memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. The memory device may also include a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier may be configured to read data from the plurality of memory cells using a reference voltage. The memory device may also include a sense amplifier reference voltage modification circuit. The sense amplifier reference voltage modification circuit may be configured to detect a triggering event and modify the reference voltage in response to detecting a triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Joab D. Henderson, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow
  • Patent number: 9305619
    Abstract: A method, system and memory controller are provided for implementing simultaneous read and write operations in a memory subsystem utilizing a dual port Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configuration. A DRAM includes a first partition and a second partition. A memory controller determines if memory requirements are above or below a usage threshold. If the memory requirements are below the usage threshold, the memory is partitioned into a read buffer and a write buffer, with writes going to the write buffer and reads coming from the read buffer, data being transferred from the write buffer to the read buffer through an Error Correction Code (ECC) engine. If the memory requirements are above the usage threshold, the entire memory is used for reads and writes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Carlos A. Fernandez, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 9305618
    Abstract: A method, system and memory controller are provided for implementing simultaneous read and write operations in a memory subsystem utilizing a dual port Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configuration. A DRAM includes a first partition and a second partition. A memory controller determines if memory requirements are above or below a usage threshold. If the memory requirements are below the usage threshold, the memory is partitioned into a read buffer and a write buffer, with writes going to the write buffer and reads coming from the read buffer, data being transferred from the write buffer to the read buffer through an Error Correction Code (ECC) engine. If the memory requirements are above the usage threshold, the entire memory is used for reads and writes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Carlos A. Fernandez, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 9251054
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing enhanced reliability of memory subsystems utilizing a dual port Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configuration. The DRAM configuration includes a first buffer and a second buffer, each buffer including a validity counter. The validity counter for a receiving buffer is incremented as each respective data row from a transferring buffer is validated through Error Correction Code (ECC), Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) logic and transferred to the receiving buffer, while the validity counter for the transferring buffer is decremented. Data are read from or written to either the first buffer or the second buffer based upon a respective count value of the validity counters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Carlos A. Fernandez, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Publication number: 20160027494
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for refreshing a row of a memory device prior to a scheduled refresh. A memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. The memory array may be configured to be refreshed at a first refresh time interval. The memory device may also include an intermediate refresh circuit. The intermediate refresh circuit may be configured to detect a triggering event and request a refresh for a row of the memory array in response to detecting a triggering event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Joab D. Henderson, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow
  • Patent number: 9245604
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for refreshing a row of a memory device prior to a scheduled refresh. A memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. The memory array may be configured to be refreshed at a first refresh time interval. The memory device may also include an intermediate refresh circuit. The intermediate refresh circuit may be configured to detect a triggering event and request a refresh for a row of the memory array in response to detecting a triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Joab D. Henderson, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow
  • Patent number: 9230687
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing ECC (Error Correction Codes) redundancy using reconfigurable logic blocks in a computer system. When a fail is detected when reading from memory, it is determined if the incorrect data is in the data or the ECC component of the data. When incorrect data is found in the ECC component of the data, and an actionable threshold is not reached, a predetermined Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) action is taken. When the actionable threshold is reached with incorrect data identified in the ECC component of the data, an analysis process is performed to determine if the ECC logic is faulty. When a fail in the ECC logic is detected, the identified ECC failed logic is replaced with a spare block of logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Timothy J. Dell, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 9224450
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying a reference voltage between refreshes in a memory device are disclosed. The memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. The memory device may also include a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier may be configured to read data from the plurality of memory cells using a reference voltage. The memory device may also include a sense amplifier reference voltage modification circuit. The sense amplifier reference voltage modification circuit may be configured to detect a triggering event and modify the reference voltage in response to detecting a triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Joab D. Henderson, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow
  • Publication number: 20150278086
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing enhanced reliability of memory subsystems utilizing a dual port Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configuration. The DRAM configuration includes a first buffer and a second buffer, each buffer including a validity counter. The validity counter for a receiving buffer is incremented as each respective data row from a transferring buffer is validated through Error Correction Code (ECC), Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) logic and transferred to the receiving buffer, while the validity counter for the transferring buffer is decremented. Data are read from or written to either the first buffer or the second buffer based upon a respective count value of the validity counters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Carlos A. Fernandez, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Publication number: 20150278005
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing enhanced reliability of memory subsystems utilizing a dual port Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configuration. The DRAM configuration includes a first buffer and a second buffer, each buffer including a validity counter. The validity counter for a receiving buffer is incremented as each respective data row from a transferring buffer is validated through Error Correction Code (ECC), Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) logic and transferred to the receiving buffer, while the validity counter for the transferring buffer is decremented. Data are read from or written to either the first buffer or the second buffer based upon a respective count value of the validity counters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Carlos A. Fernandez, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Publication number: 20150228328
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying a reference voltage between refreshes in a memory device are disclosed. The memory array may include a plurality of memory cells. The memory device may also include a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier may be configured to read data from the plurality of memory cells using a reference voltage. The memory device may also include a sense amplifier reference voltage modification circuit. The sense amplifier reference voltage modification circuit may be configured to detect a triggering event and modify the reference voltage in response to detecting a triggering event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Joab D. Henderson, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow
  • Publication number: 20150213854
    Abstract: A method, system and memory controller are provided for implementing simultaneous read and write operations in a memory subsystem utilizing a dual port Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configuration. A DRAM includes a first partition and a second partition. A memory controller determines if memory requirements are above or below a usage threshold. If the memory requirements are below the usage threshold, the memory is partitioned into a read buffer and a write buffer, with writes going to the write buffer and reads coming from the read buffer, data being transferred from the write buffer to the read buffer through an Error Correction Code (ECC) engine. If the memory requirements are above the usage threshold, the entire memory is used for reads and writes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, Carlos A. Fernandez, Joab D. Henderson, Jeffrey A. Sabrowski, Anuwat Saetow, Saravanan Sethuraman