Abstract: A memory module including a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and a controller that provides address, data, and control interfaces to the memories and to a host system, such as, for example, a personal computer, is operable to interact with the host system so as to provide one or more additional layers in the memory hierarchy of the host system. In one aspect of the present invention the controller operates the volatile memory of the memory module as a cache for the non-volatile memory of the memory module. In another aspect of the present invention data representing one or more software applications and/or one or more data sets are stored in the non-volatile memory of the memory module along with security information such that a host system may quickly launch applications from the memory module rather than from a slower hard disk drive.

Abstract: Memory modules address the growing gap between main memory performance and disk drive performance in computational apparatus such as personal computers. Memory modules disclosed herein fill the need for substantially higher storage capacity in end-user add-in memory modules. Such memory modules accelerate the availability of applications, and data for those applications. An exemplary application of such memory modules is as a high capacity consumer memory product that can be used in Hi-Definition video recorders. In various embodiments, memory modules include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and a command interpreter that includes interfaces to the memories and to various busses. The first memory acts as an accelerating buffer for the second memory, and the second memory provides non-volatile backup for the first memory. In some embodiments data transfer from the first memory to the second memory may be interrupted to provide read access to the second memory.

Abstract: A computer system memory module includes a bi-directional repeater hub that in a first direction takes as an input a memory bus signal in a first port, regenerates the memory signals, and outputs the regenerated memory signal at a second port as at least one separate signal for coupling to a memory bus for each of the regenerated separate signals. In a second direction, the bi-directional repeater hub takes as input at least one memory bus signal at the second port, regenerates each input memory bus signal, and outputs the regenerated memory signal at the first port for coupling to a memory bus.

Abstract: A computer system memory module includes a bi-directional repeater hub that in a first direction takes as an input a memory bus signal in a first port, regenerates the memory signals, and outputs the regenerated memory signal at a second port as at least one separate signal for coupling to a memory bus for each of the regenerated separate signals. In a second direction, the bi-directional repeater hub takes as input at least one memory bus signal at the second port, regenerates each input memory bus signal, and outputs the regenerated memory signal at the first port for coupling to a memory bus. A method includes determining whether a memory device to which signals are addressed is on a first memory module. Signals are routed to a first memory bus on the first memory module connected to the memory device if the memory is on the first memory module. Signals are routed to a second memory bus on a second memory module if the memory device is not on the first memory module.

Abstract: An output driver circuit within an electronic device to provide a configurable driver circuit. When placed in a first mode of operation, the driver circuit drives an output signal. When placed in a second mode of operation, the driver circuit provides impedance matching to prevent signal reflection.

Abstract: A memory module includes a first memory bus. A memory repeater hub is coupled to the first memory bus. A second memory bus is coupled in series with the memory repeater hub.