Patents by Inventor John S. Dodson

John S. Dodson 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: 9594647
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to out-of-synchronization detection and out-of-order detection in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a plurality of channels, each providing communication with a memory buffer chip and a plurality of memory devices. A memory control unit is coupled to the plurality of channels. The memory control unit is configured to perform a method that includes receiving frames on two or more of the channels. The memory control unit identifies alignment logic input in each of the received frames and generates a summarized input to alignment logic for each of the channels of the received frames based on the alignment logic input. The memory control unit adjusts a timing alignment based on a skew value per channel. Each of the timing adjusted summarized inputs is compared. Based on a mismatch between at least two of the timing adjusted summarized inputs, a miscompare signal is asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. Meaney, Glenn D. Gilda, Eric E. Retter, John S. Dodson, Gary A. Van Huben, Brad W. Michael, Stephen J. Powell
  • Patent number: 9594646
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to reestablishing synchronization across multiple channels in a memory system. One aspect is a computer implemented method that includes receiving an out-of-synchronization indication associated with at least one of a plurality of channels in the memory system. A memory control unit in communication with the channels performs a first stage of reestablishing synchronization that includes selectively stopping new traffic on the plurality of channels, waiting for a first time period to expire, resuming traffic on the plurality of channels based on the first time period expiring, and verifying that synchronization is reestablished for a second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Glenn D. Gilda, Patrick J. Meaney, Vesselina K. Papazova, John S. Dodson
  • Patent number: 9535778
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to reestablishing synchronization across multiple channels in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a plurality of channels, each providing communication with a memory buffer chip and a plurality of memory devices. A memory control unit is coupled to the plurality of channels. The memory control unit is configured to perform a method that includes receiving an out-of-synchronization indication associated with at least one of the channels. The memory control unit performs a first stage of reestablishing synchronization that includes selectively stopping new traffic on the plurality of channels, waiting for a first time period to expire, resuming traffic on the plurality of channels based on the first time period expiring, and verifying that synchronization is reestablished for a second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Glenn D. Gilda, Patrick J. Meaney, Vesselina K. Papazova, John S. Dodson
  • Publication number: 20160371159
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to out-of-synchronization detection and out-of-order detection in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a plurality of channels, each providing communication with a memory buffer chip and a plurality of memory devices. A memory control unit is coupled to the plurality of channels. The memory control unit is configured to perform a method that includes receiving frames on two or more of the channels. The memory control unit identifies alignment logic input in each of the received frames and generates a summarized input to alignment logic for each of the channels of the received frames based on the alignment logic input. The memory control unit adjusts a timing alignment based on a skew value per channel. Each of the timing adjusted summarized inputs is compared. Based on a mismatch between at least two of the timing adjusted summarized inputs, a miscompare signal is asserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick J. Meaney, Glenn D. Gilda, Eric E. Retter, John S. Dodson, Gary A. Van Huben, Brad W. Michael, Stephen J. Powell
  • Publication number: 20160364303
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to reestablishing synchronization across multiple channels in a memory system. One aspect is a computer implemented method that includes receiving an out-of-synchronization indication associated with at least one of a plurality of channels in the memory system. A memory control unit in communication with the channels performs a first stage of reestablishing synchronization that includes selectively stopping new traffic on the plurality of channels, waiting for a first time period to expire, resuming traffic on the plurality of channels based on the first time period expiring, and verifying that synchronization is reestablished for a second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Glenn D. Gilda, Patrick J. Meaney, Vesselina K. Papazova, John S. Dodson
  • Patent number: 9495231
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to reestablishing synchronization across multiple channels in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a plurality of channels, each providing communication with a memory buffer chip and a plurality of memory devices. A memory control unit is coupled to the plurality of channels. The memory control unit is configured to perform a method that includes receiving an out-of-synchronization indication associated with at least one of the channels. The memory control unit performs a first stage of reestablishing synchronization that includes selectively stopping new traffic on the plurality of channels, waiting for a first time period to expire, resuming traffic on the plurality of channels based on the first time period expiring, and verifying that synchronization is reestablished for a second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Glenn D. Gilda, Patrick J. Meaney, Vesselina K. Papazova, John S. Dodson
  • Patent number: 9495254
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to out-of-synchronization detection and out-of-order detection in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a plurality of channels, each providing communication with a memory buffer chip and a plurality of memory devices. A memory control unit is coupled to the plurality of channels. The memory control unit is configured to perform a method that includes receiving frames on two or more of the channels. The memory control unit identifies alignment logic input in each of the received frames and generates a summarized input to alignment logic for each of the channels of the received frames based on the alignment logic input. The memory control unit adjusts a timing alignment based on a skew value per channel. Each of the timing adjusted summarized inputs is compared. Based on a mismatch between at least two of the timing adjusted summarized inputs, a miscompare signal is asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. Meaney, Glenn D. Gilda, Eric E. Retter, John S. Dodson, Gary A. Van Huben, Brad W. Michael, Stephen J. Powell
  • Publication number: 20160314072
    Abstract: A computer cache memory organization called Probabilistic Set Associative Cache (PAC) has the hardware complexity and latency of a direct-mapped cache but functions as a set-associative cache for a fraction of the time, thus yielding better than direct mapped cache hit rates. The organization is considered a (1+P)-way set associative cache, where the chosen parameter called Override Probability P determines the average associativity, for example, for P=0.1, effectively it operates as if a 1.1-way set associative cache.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Bulent Abali, John S. Dodson, Moinuddin K. Qureshi, Balaram Sinharoy
  • Patent number: 9471410
    Abstract: In a data processing system, a memory subsystem detects whether or not at least one potentially transient condition is present that would prevent timely servicing of one or more memory access requests directed to the associated system memory. In response to detecting at least one such potentially transient condition, the memory system identifies a first read request affected by the at least one potentially transient condition. In response to identifying the read request, the memory subsystem signals to a request source to issue a second read request for the same target address by transmitting to the request source dummy data and a data error indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Dodson, Benjiman L. Goodman, Guy L. Guthrie, Eric E. Retter, William J. Starke, Jeffrey A. Stuecheli
  • Patent number: 9430418
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to out-of-synchronization detection and out-of-order detection in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a plurality of channels, each providing communication with a memory buffer chip and a plurality of memory devices. A memory control unit is coupled to the plurality of channels. The memory control unit is configured to perform a method that includes receiving frames on two or more of the channels. The memory control unit identifies alignment logic input in each of the received frames and generates a summarized input to alignment logic for each of the channels of the received frames based on the alignment logic input. The memory control unit adjusts a timing alignment based on a skew value per channel. Each of the timing adjusted summarized inputs is compared. Based on a mismatch between at least two of the timing adjusted summarized inputs, a miscompare signal is asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. Meaney, Glenn D. Gilda, Eric E. Retter, John S. Dodson, Gary A. Van Huben, Brad W. Michael, Stephen J. Powell
  • Patent number: 9384136
    Abstract: A prefetch stream is established in a prefetch unit of a memory controller for a system memory at a lowest level of a volatile memory hierarchy of the data processing system based on a memory access request received from a processor core. The memory controller receives an indication of an upcoming high latency event affecting access to the system memory. In response to the indication, the memory controller temporarily increases a prefetch depth of the prefetch stream with respect to the system memory and issues, to the system memory, a plurality of prefetch requests in accordance with the temporarily increased prefetch depth in advance of the upcoming high latency event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S Dodson, Miles R. Dooley, Benjiman L. Goodman, Jody B. Joyner, Stephen J. Powell, Eric E. Retter, Jeffrey A. Stuecheli
  • Publication number: 20160188398
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to reestablishing synchronization across multiple channels in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a plurality of channels, each providing communication with a memory buffer chip and a plurality of memory devices. A memory control unit is coupled to the plurality of channels. The memory control unit is configured to perform a method that includes receiving an out-of-synchronization indication associated with at least one of the channels. The memory control unit performs a first stage of reestablishing synchronization that includes selectively stopping new traffic on the plurality of channels, waiting for a first time period to expire, resuming traffic on the plurality of channels based on the first time period expiring, and verifying that synchronization is reestablished for a second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Glenn D. Gilda, Patrick J. Meaney, Vesselina K. Papazova, John S. Dodson
  • Publication number: 20160188423
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to out-of-synchronization detection and out-of-order detection in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a plurality of channels, each providing communication with a memory buffer chip and a plurality of memory devices. A memory control unit is coupled to the plurality of channels. The memory control unit is configured to perform a method that includes receiving frames on two or more of the channels. The memory control unit identifies alignment logic input in each of the received frames and generates a summarized input to alignment logic for each of the channels of the received frames based on the alignment logic input. The memory control unit adjusts a timing alignment based on a skew value per channel. Each of the timing adjusted summarized inputs is compared. Based on a mismatch between at least two of the timing adjusted summarized inputs, a miscompare signal is asserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick J. Meaney, Glenn D. Gilda, Eric E. Retter, John S. Dodson, Gary A. Van Huben, Brad W. Michael, Stephen J. Powell
  • Patent number: 9378144
    Abstract: A prefetch stream is established in a prefetch unit of a memory controller for a system memory at a lowest level of a volatile memory hierarchy of the data processing system based on a memory access request received from a processor core. The memory controller receives an indication of an upcoming high latency event affecting access to the system memory. In response to the indication, the memory controller temporarily increases a prefetch depth of the prefetch stream with respect to the system memory and issues, to the system memory, a plurality of prefetch requests in accordance with the temporarily increased prefetch depth in advance of the upcoming high latency event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S Dodson, Miles R. Dooley, Benjiman L. Goodman, Jody B. Joyner, Stephen J. Powell, Eric E. Retter, Jeffrey A. Stuecheli
  • Publication number: 20160132085
    Abstract: A system with a local data collector that collects power management data for a subsystem. The local data collector can determine whether a first formatting associated with a first channel between the local data collector and a system power management data collector is equivalent to a second formatting associated with a second channel between the local data collector and the system power management data collector, and in response to a determination that the first formatting and second formatting are not equivalent format the power management data according to the first formatting; store the power management data formatted according to the first formatting in a first location in a memory; format the power management data according to the second formatting; and store the power management data formatted according to the second formatting in a second location the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Irving G. Baysah, John S. Dodson, Karthick Rajamani, Eric E. Retter, Scot H. Rider, Todd Jon Rosedahl, Gregory Scott Still, Gary Van Huben, Malcolm S. Allen-Ware
  • Patent number: 9318171
    Abstract: A computer-system implemented method for dual asynchronous and synchronous memory operation in a memory subsystem includes establishing a synchronous channel between a memory controller and a memory buffer chip. A mode selector determines a reference clock source for a memory domain phase-locked loop of the memory buffer chip based on an operating mode of the memory buffer chip. An output of a nest domain phase-locked loop is provided as the reference clock source to the memory domain phase-locked loop in the memory buffer chip based on the operating mode being synchronous. The nest domain phase-locked loop is operable synchronous to a memory controller phase-locked loop of the memory controller. A separate reference clock is provided independent of the nest domain phase-locked loop as the reference clock to the memory domain phase-locked loop based on the operating mode being asynchronous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Van Huben, Patrick J. Meaney, John S. Dodson, Scot H. Rider, James C. Gregerson, Eric E. Retter, Irving G. Baysah, Glenn D. Gilda, Lawrence D. Curley, Vesselina K. Papazova
  • Patent number: 9250666
    Abstract: A system with scalable data collection for system management comprises a plurality of local data collectors and a system collector. Each of the local data collectors is coupled with a corresponding subsystem of the system. Each of the local data collectors is configured to periodically collect power management related data from the corresponding subsystem, and to format the collected power management related data for conveyance along any one of a plurality of channels between the local data collector and the system collector. The system collector is coupled with the plurality of local data collectors via the plurality of channels. The system collector selects from the channels between the system collector and each of the local data collectors based, at least in part, on channel states, and retrieves the power management related data collected by each of the local data collectors along a selected channel for the local data collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Irving Baysah, John S. Dodson, Karthick Rajamani, Eric E. Retter, Gregory S. Still, Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Scot H. Rider, Todd J. Rosedahl, Gary Van Huben
  • Patent number: 9142272
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a dual asynchronous and synchronous memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a memory controller and a memory buffer chip coupled to the memory controller via a synchronous channel. The memory buffer chip includes a memory buffer unit configured to synchronously communicate with the memory controller in a nest domain, and a memory buffer adaptor configured to communicate with at least one memory interface port in a memory domain. The at least one memory interface port is operable to access at least one memory device. A boundary layer is connected to the nest domain and the memory domain, where the boundary layer is configurable to operate in a synchronous transfer mode between the nest and memory domains and to operate in an asynchronous transfer mode between the nest and memory domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Van Huben, Patrick J. Meaney, John S. Dodson, Scot H. Rider, James C. Gregerson, Eric E. Retter, Irving G. Baysah, Glenn D. Gilda, Lawrence D. Curley, Vesselina K. Papazova
  • Patent number: 9136987
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to replay suspension in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a replay buffer coupled to a memory controller interface, and a replay control coupled to the replay buffer and a memory controller. The replay control is configured to receive an error indication associated with sending data from the memory controller interface to a memory subsystem as part of an operation. A replay pending signal is provided to the memory controller based on the error indication. Based on waiting for a period of time sufficient for the memory controller to provide remaining data associated with the operation to the replay buffer, a replay signal is asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Hodges, Irving G. Baysah, John S. Dodson, Patrick J. Meaney, Glenn D. Gilda
  • Patent number: 9128834
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing ECC (Error Correction Codes) memory module communications with a host processor in multi-ported memory configurations in a computer system. Each of multiple memory modules operating in unison is enabled to identify which memory module is the one required to communicate module specific information back to the host processor. All of the multiple memory modules operating in unison are enabled to generate back to the host processor a valid ECC word, while other multiple memory modules individually being unaware of data contents of the one memory module required to communicate back to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Dodson, Luis A. Lastras-Montano, Warren E. Maule, Adam J. McPadden, Kenneth L. Wright