Abstract: A memory chip having a data bus having a plurality of bits. The number of bits is apportioned between a read portion and a write portion. The write portion is dedicated to receiving data that is to be written into an array on the memory chip; the read portion is dedicated to driving data that has been read from the array on the memory chip. The apportionment is programmable. Apportionment can be specified by programming signal pins on the memory chip, connecting the signal pins to appropriate logical values. The apportionment can alternatively be specified by scanning apportionment information into the memory chip at bring up time. The apportionment and also alternatively be specified by receiving apportionment information in an address/command word.

Abstract: A memory chip suitable for use in a daisy chain of memory chips. The memory chip receives an address/command word on a first input, determines if the address command word is directed to the memory chip; if so, the memory chip accesses an array on the memory chip respondent to the address/command word. If not, the memory chip re-drives the address/command word on a first output. Write data is received as part of the address/command word or from a first data bus port. Read data is read from the array or is received from a second data bus port for subsequent re-driving on the first data bus port. A bus clock is received and is used to receive and transmit information on the first input, the first output, the first data bus port and the second data bus port.

Abstract: A memory chip suitable for use in a daisy chain of memory chips. Timing of an array on the memory chip is dynamically determined by circuitry on the memory chip that tracks an access timing of the array. The memory chip is configured to receive an address/command word, determine if the address/command word is directed to the memory chip. If so, the array on the memory chip is accessed according to the address command word. If the address/command word is not directed to the memory chip, the memory chip re-drives the address/command word from an output of the memory chip.

Abstract: A computer system having a memory system, the memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of self timed memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. Access timing on each memory chip is determined by a self time block on each memory chip.

Abstract: A memory system having a memory controller and a daisy chain of memory chips. The memory controller is coupled to memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips by an address/command bus chain. The memory controller is coupled to memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips by a data bus chain having a number of data bus bits. The data bus chain has a first portion of data bus bits dedicated to transmitting write data from the memory controller to a memory chip. The data bus chain has a second portion of data bus bits dedicated to transmitting read data from a memory chip to the memory controller. Apportionment of data bus bits between the first portion and the second portion is programmable. Programming is done by pin connection, scanning of a value, or by request from a processor coupled to the memory controller.

Abstract: A memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory controller is coupled to a processor and to the memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. A daisy chain of memory chips can include memory chips on multiple carriers, or the daisy chain of memory chips can all be attached to a single carrier.

Abstract: A memory system having a data bus coupling a memory controller and a memory. The data bus has a number of data bus bits. The data bus is programmably apportioned to a first portion dedicated to transmitting data from the memory controller to the memory and a second portion dedicated to transmitting data from the memory to the memory controller. The apportionment can be assigned by suitable connection of pins on a memory chip in the memory and the memory controller to logical values. Alternatively, the apportionment can be scanned into the memory controller and the memory at bring up time. In another alternative, the apportionment can be changed by suspending data transfer and dynamically changing the sizes of the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of self timed memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. Access timing on a memory chip is determined by a self time block on the memory chip.

Abstract: A carrier having at least one self timed memory chip in a daisy chain of memory chips. A first carrier has at least a portion of a daisy chain of memory chips attached to the first carrier. An address/command bus input on the first carrier carries an address/command word to a first memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips. If the first memory chip determines that the address/command word is not directed to the first memory chip, the first memory chip re-drives the address/command word to a second memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips using a point to point address/command bus link. If there are no more memory chips on the first carrier, the address/command word is re-driven to an address/command bus off-carrier connector. An array on a memory chip has an access time dynamically determined by how fast the array can be accessed.

Abstract: A self timed memory chip having an apportionable data bus. Access timing to an array on the memory chip is dynamically determined by circuitry on the memory chip. A ring oscillator on the memory chip has a frequency that is indicative of how fast an array on the memory chip can be accessed. The ring oscillator includes a bit line that is periodically charged and a memory element that subsequently discharges the bit line. The memory chip has a data bus interface having a number of bits. The data bus interface has a first number of bits apportioned to write data and a second number of bits apportioned to read data. The first number of bits and the second number of bits is programmable.

Abstract: A memory controller for controlling a daisy chain of self timed memory chips. The memory controller has information as to how long each self timed memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips takes to make a read access and a write access to an array on the self timed memory chip. The memory controller determines current access time information on a memory chip by sending a command to the memory chip. The memory chip returns a data word containing the current access time information. Alternatively, the memory controller transmits an address/command word to the memory chip and, after completing an access, transmits a responsive data word to the memory controller. The memory controller determines the access time information using the interval from transmission of the address/command word to reception of the responsive data word.

Abstract: A computer system having a memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory controller is coupled to a processor and to the memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. A daisy chain of memory chips can include memory chips on multiple carriers, or the daisy chain of memory chips can all be attached to a single carrier.

Abstract: A carrier having at least one memory chip in a daisy chain of memory chips. A first carrier has at least a portion of an entire daisy chain of memory chips attached to the first carrier. An address/command bus input on the first carrier carries an address/command word to a first memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips. If the first memory chip determines that the address/command word is not directed to the first memory chip, the first memory chip re-drives the address/command word to a second memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips using a point to point address/command bus link. If there are no more memory chips on the first carrier, the address/command word is re-driven to a memory chip on a second carrier.

Abstract: A memory controller configured to control a daisy chain of memory chips. The memory controller receives read and write requests from a processor, determines a daisy chain of memory chips that the request is directed to, determines which memory chip in the chain of memory chips the request is directed to, and transmits an address/command word recognizable by the correct memory chip. The memory controller sends write data words to the daisy chain of memory chips that can be associated by the correct memory chip for writing into the correct memory chip. The memory controller receives read data words from the daisy chain of memory chips and returns the read data to the processor. The memory controller transmits a bus clock to the daisy chain of memory chips for controlling transmission of address/command words and data words.

Abstract: A method, structures and computer program product are provided for implementing enhanced wiring capability for electronic laminate packages. Electronic package physical design data are received. Instances of line width and space limit violations in the electronic package physical design data are identified. The identified instances of line width and space limit violations are evaluated using predefined qualified options and tolerance limitations and the electronic package physical design data are modified to optimize shapes to replace the instances of line width and space limit violations.

Abstract: A high speed computer processor system has a high speed interface for a graphics processor. A preferred embodiment combines a PowerPC microprocessor called the Giga-Processor Ultralite (GPUL) 110 from International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) with a high speed interface on a multi-chip module.

Abstract: A method of testing and an embedded probe-enabling socket are provided for implementing debug and testing functions. The socket includes an integral probe structure enabling Top Side of the Module (TSM) signal probing. The socket includes a substrate with a topside including a plurality of probe pads. A TSM socket frame includes a plurality of probe pins electrically connecting to respective probe pads on the substrate topside. The probe pins are electrically connected with a respective signal to be monitored.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing automated detection of excess aggressor shape capacitance coupling in printed circuit board layouts. A PCB design file containing an electronic representation of a printed circuit board design is received. A list of candidate shapes is identified. The candidate shapes are disposed on layers adjacent to aggressor planes. A capacitance coupling the candidate shapes to adjacent aggressor planes is calculated. A ratio of the calculated capacitance and a decoupling capacitance connecting the candidate shapes to a reference plane is determined.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided to control common mode impedance in fan-out regions for printed circuit board applications. A differential pair transmission line includes a narrow signal trace portion in the fan-out region and a wider signal trace portion outside of the fan-out region. A dielectric material separates the differential pair transmission line from a reference power plane. A thickness of the narrow signal trace is increased and a thickness of the dielectric material is correspondingly decreased in the fan-out region.

Abstract: A method and stiffener-embedded waveguide structure are provided for implementing enhanced data transfer for printed circuit board applications. At least one microwave channel is defined within a stiffener. The microwave channel provides a high frequency path for data transfers. Use of the waveguide channel in the stiffener for data transfers can replace or supplement otherwise required transmission paths in an associated printed circuit board.