Patents by Inventor Kevin C. Gower

Kevin C. Gower 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: 20090063785
    Abstract: A memory system is provided that enhances the memory bandwidth available through a memory module. The memory system includes a memory hub device integrated into a memory module, a first memory device data interface integrated that communicates with a first set of memory devices and a second memory device data interface integrated that communicates with a second set of memory devices. In the memory system, the first set of memory devices are spaced in a first plane and coupled to a substrate of the memory module and the second set of memory devices are spaced in a second plane above the first plane and coupled to the substrate. In the memory system, data buses of the first set of memory devices are coupled to the substrate separately from data buses of the second set of memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20090063923
    Abstract: A memory system is provided that performs error correction at a memory device level that is transparent to a memory channel. The memory system comprises a memory hub device integrated in the memory module and a set of memory devices coupled to the memory hub device. The memory hub device comprises first error correction logic provided in write logic integrated in the memory hub device. The memory hub device comprises second error correction logic provided in read logic integrated in the memory hub device. The first error correction logic and the second error correction logic performs error correction operations on data transferred between a link interface and the set of memory devices. The memory hub device transmits and receives data via a memory channel between the external memory controller and the link interface without any error correction code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20090063729
    Abstract: A memory system is provided that supports partial cache line read operations to a memory module to reduce read data traffic on a memory channel. The memory system comprises a memory hub device integrated in the memory module and a set of memory devices coupled to the memory hub device. The memory hub comprises burst logic integrated in the memory hub device. The burst logic determines an amount of read data to be transmitted from the set of memory devices and generates a burst length field corresponding to the amount of read data. The memory hub also comprises a memory hub controller integrated in the memory hub device. The memory hub controller controls the amount of read data that is transmitted using the burst length field. The memory hub device transmits the amount of read data that is equal to or less than a conventional data burst amount of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20090063731
    Abstract: A method is provided that supports partial cache line read and write operations to a memory module to reduce read and write data traffic on a memory channel. In a memory hub controller integrated in the memory module determines an amount of data to be transmitted to or from a set of memory devices of the memory module, in responsive to an access request. The memory hub controller generates a burst length field corresponding to the amount of data. The memory controller controls the amount of data that is transmitted to or from the memory devices using the burst length field. The amount of data is equal to or less than a standard data burst amount of data for the set of memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20090063761
    Abstract: A memory system is provided that enhances the memory bandwidth available through a memory module. The memory system includes a memory controller and a memory module coupled to the memory controller. In the memory system, the memory controller is coupled to the memory module via at least two independent memory channels. In the memory system, the at least two independent memory channels are coupled to one or more memory hub devices of the memory module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 7493439
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing performance monitoring in a memory system. Embodiments include a memory system for storing and retrieving data for a processing system. The memory system includes a memory controller, a plurality of memory devices, a memory bus and a memory hub device. The memory controller receives and responds to memory access requests. The memory bus is in communication with the memory controller. The memory hub device is in communication with the memory bus. The memory hub device includes a memory interface for transferring one or more of address, control and data information between the memory hub device and the memory controller via the memory bus. The memory hub device also includes a memory device interface for communicating with the memory devices. The memory hub device further includes a performance monitor for monitoring and reporting one or more of memory bus utilization, memory device utilization, and performance characteristics over defined intervals during system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Carl E. Love, Dustin J. VanStee
  • Patent number: 7484161
    Abstract: A memory subsystem with a memory bus and a memory assembly. The memory bus includes multiple bitlanes. The memory assembly is in communication with the memory bus and includes instructions for receiving an error code correction (ECC) word in multiple packets via the memory bus. The ECC word includes data bits and ECC bits arranged into multiple multi-bit ECC symbols. Each of the ECC symbols is associated with one of the bitlanes on the memory bus. The memory assembly also includes instructions for utilizing one of the ECC symbols to perform error detection and correction for the bits in the ECC word received via the bitlane associated with the ECC symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dell, Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 7480830
    Abstract: A buffered memory module including a downstream buffer, a downstream receiver, an upstream driver, an upstream receiver. The downstream buffer and the downstream receiver are both adapted for connection to a downstream memory bus in a packetized cascaded interconnect memory subsystem. The upstream driver and the upstream receiver are both adapted for connection to an upstream memory bus in the memory subsystem. During a test of the memory module, the upstream driver is connected to the downstream receiver and the downstream driver is connected to the upstream receiver. The memory module also includes one or more storage registers, a microprocessor and a service interface port. The microprocessor includes instructions for executing the test of the memory module including storing results of the test in the storage registers. The service interface port receives service interface signals that initiate the execution of the test and accesses the storage registers to determine the results of the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Cowell, Frank D. Ferraiolo, Kevin C. Gower, Frank LaPietra
  • Patent number: 7480759
    Abstract: A cascaded interconnect system including a memory controller, one or more memory modules, an upstream memory bus and a downstream memory bus. The one or more memory modules include a first memory module with cache data. The memory modules and the memory controller are interconnected by a packetized multi-transfer interface via the downstream memory bus and the upstream memory bus. The first memory module and the memory controller are in direct communication via the upstream memory bus and the downstream memory bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Mark W. Kellogg, Warren E. Maule, Thomas B. Smith, III, Robert B. Tremaine
  • Patent number: 7478259
    Abstract: A system, method and storage medium for deriving clocks in a memory system. The method includes receiving a reference oscillator clock at a hub device. The hub device is in communication with a controller channel via a controller interface and in communication with a memory device via a memory interface. A base clock operating at a base clock frequency is derived from the reference oscillator clock. A memory interface clock is derived by multiplying the base clock by a memory multiplier. A controller interface clock is derived by multiplying the base clock by a controller multiplier. The memory interface clock is applied to the memory interface and the controller interface clock is applied to the controller interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank D. Ferraiolo, Kevin C. Gower, Martin L. Schmatz
  • Patent number: 7475316
    Abstract: A buffer device for testing a memory subsystem. The buffer device includes a parallel bus port adapted for connection to a slow speed bus and a serial bus port adapted for connection to a high speed bus. The high speed bus operates at a faster speed than the slow speed bus. The buffer device also includes a bus converter having a standard operating mode for converting serial packetized input data received via the serial bus port into parallel bus output data for output via the parallel bus port. The buffer device also includes an alternate operating mode for converting parallel bus input data received via the parallel bus port into serial packetized output data for output via the serial bus port. The serial packetized input data is consistent in function and timing to the serial packetized output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Cowell, Kevin C. Gower, Frank LaPietra
  • Publication number: 20090006900
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a high fault tolerant memory system. The system includes a memory system having a memory controller, a plurality of memory modules and a mechanism. The plurality of memory modules are in communication with the memory controller and with a plurality of memory devices. The plurality of memory devices include at least one spare memory device for providing memory device sparing capability. The mechanism is for detecting that one of the memory modules has failed possibly coincident with a memory device failure on an other of the memory modules. The mechanism allows the memory system to continue to run unimpaired in the presence of the memory module failure and the possible memory device failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luis A. Lastras-Montano, James A. O'Connor, Luiz C. Alves, William J. Clarke, Timothy J. Dell, Thomas J. Dewkett, Kevin C. Gower
  • Publication number: 20090006886
    Abstract: A system and method for error correction and detection in a memory system. The system includes a memory controller, a plurality of memory modules and a mechanism. The memory modules are in communication with the memory controller and with a plurality of memory devices. The mechanism detects that one of the memory modules has failed possibly coincident with a memory device failure on an other of the memory modules. The mechanism allows the memory system to continue to run unimpaired in the presence of the memory module failure and the memory device failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. O'Connor, Luis A. Lastras-Montano, Luis C. Alves, William J. Clarke, Timothy J. Dell, Thomas J. Dewkett, Kevin C. Gower
  • Publication number: 20080320191
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a configurable command sequence for a memory interface device (MID). The system includes a MID intended for use in a cascade interconnect system and in communication with one or more memory devices. The MID includes a first connection to a high speed bus operating at a first data rate, a second connection to the high speed bus, an alternate communication means and logic. The first connection to the high speed bus includes receiver circuitry operating at the first data rate. The alternate communication means operates at a second data rate that is slower than the first data rate. The logic facilitates receiving commands via the first connection from the high speed bus operating at the first data rate and using a first command sequence. The logic also facilitates receiving the commands via the alternate communication means using a second command sequence which differs from the first command sequence in the speed in which the commands are transferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Elianne A. Bravo, Kevin C. Gower, Dustin J. VanStee
  • Publication number: 20080320265
    Abstract: A memory system for providing a slow command decode over an untrained high-speed interface. The memory system includes a memory system having a memory interface device, an untrained high-speed interface, and a memory controller. The untrained high-speed interface is in communication with the memory interface device. The memory controller generates slow commands and transmits the slow commands to the memory interface device via the untrained high-speed interface. The slow commands operate at a first data rate that is slower than a second data rate utilized by the high-speed interface after it has been trained. The memory interface device receives the slow commands via the untrained high-speed interface, decodes the slow commands, and executes the slow commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: ChiWei Yung, Kevin C. Gower
  • Publication number: 20080313374
    Abstract: A cascaded interconnect system for providing a service interface to a memory system. The cascaded interconnect system includes a master service interface module, a service interface bus, and one or more slave service interface modules. The master service interface module and the slave interface modules are cascade interconnected via the service interface bus. Each slave service interface module is in communication with a corresponding memory module for providing a service to the memory module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule, Juergen Saalmueller
  • Publication number: 20080301337
    Abstract: Memory systems are disclosed that include a memory controller; an outbound link, the memory controller connected to the outbound link, the outbound link comprising a number of conductive pathways that conduct memory signals from the memory controller to memory buffer devices in a first memory layer; and at least two memory buffer devices in a first memory layer, each memory buffer device in the first memory layer connected to the outbound link to receive memory signals from the memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule, Robert B. Tremaine
  • Patent number: 7451273
    Abstract: A cascaded interconnect system including a memory controller, one or more memory modules, an upstream memory bus and a downstream memory bus. The one or more memory modules include a first memory module with cache data. The memory modules and the memory controller are interconnected by a packetized multi-transfer interface via the downstream memory bus and the upstream memory bus. The first memory module and the memory controller are in direct communication via the upstream memory bus and the downstream memory bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Mark W. Kellogg, Warren E. Maule, Thomas B. Smith, III, Robert B. Tremaine
  • Patent number: 7447831
    Abstract: Memory systems are disclosed that include a memory controller and an outbound link with the memory controller connected to the outbound link. The outbound link typically includes a number of conductive pathways that conduct memory signals from the memory controller to memory buffer devices in a first memory layer; and at least two memory buffer devices in a first memory layer. Each memory buffer device in the first memory layer typically is connected to the outbound link to receive memory signals from the memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule, Robert B. Tremaine
  • Patent number: 7441060
    Abstract: A cascaded interconnect system for providing a service interface to a memory system. The cascaded interconnect system includes a master service interface module, a service interface bus, and one or more slave service interface modules. The master service interface module and the slave interface modules are cascade interconnected via the service interface bus. Each slave service interface module is in communication with a corresponding memory module for providing a service to the memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule, Juergen Saalmueller