Abstract: Various module structures are disclosed which may be used to implement modules having 1 to N channels. Bus systems may be formed by the interconnection of such modules.

Abstract: A memory system with serialized data transfer. The memory system includes within a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices. The memory controller receives a plurality of write data values from a host and outputs the write data values as respective serial streams of bits. Each of the memory devices receives at least one of the serial streams of bits from the memory controller and converts the serial stream of bits to a set of parallel bits for storage.

Abstract: A method and system provides for execution of calibration cycles from time to time during normal operation of the communication channel. A calibration cycle includes de-coupling the normal data source from the transmitter and supplying a calibration pattern in its place. The calibration pattern is received from the communication link using the receiver on the second component. A calibrated value of a parameter of the communication channel is determined in response to the received calibration pattern. The steps involved in calibration cycles can be reordered to account for utilization patterns of the communication channel. For bidirectional links, calibration cycles are executed which include the step of storing received calibration patterns on the second component, and retransmitting such calibration patterns back to the first component for use in adjusting parameters of the channel at first component.

Abstract: Described are systems that employ configurable on-die termination elements that allow users to select from two or more termination topologies. One topology is programmable to support rail-to-rail or half-supply termination. Another topology selectively includes fixed or variable filter elements, thereby allowing the termination characteristics to be tuned for different levels of speed performance and power consumption. Termination voltages and impedances might also be adjusted.

Abstract: A memory device, system and method for allowing an early read operation after one or more write operations is provided according to an embodiment of the present invention. The memory device comprises an interface for providing a first write address, a first write data, and a read address. A memory core is coupled to the interface and includes a first memory section having a first data path and a first address path and a second memory section having a second data path and a second address path. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first data and first address path is independent of the second data and second address path. The first write data is provided on the first data path responsive to the first write address being provided on the first address path while a read data is provided on the second data path responsive to the read address being provided on the second address path.

Abstract: A method, system and memory controller that uses adjustable read data delay settings. The memory controller includes control transmit circuitry, data reception circuitry and timing circuitry. The control circuitry transmits a control signal to multiple memory devices via a shared control signal path. The data reception circuitry receives data signals from the memory devices via respective data signal paths. The timing circuitry delays reception of data signals on each of the data signal paths by a respective time interval that is based, at least in part, on a time required for the control signal to propagate on the control signal path from the memory controller to a respective one of the memory devices.

Abstract: A module having first and second memory devices and a termination component. A first signal line is coupled to the first memory device to provide first data thereto, the first data to be stored in a memory array of the first memory device during a write operation. A second signal line is coupled to the second memory device to provide thereto, the second data to be stored in a memory array of the second memory device during the write operation. A control signal path is coupled to the first memory device, the second memory device and the termination component such that a write command propagating on the control signal path propagates past the first memory device and the second memory device before reaching the first termination component, wherein the write command specifies the write operation.

Abstract: A method, system and memory controller that uses adjustable write data delay settings. The memory controller includes control transmit circuitry, data transmit circuitry and timing circuitry. The control circuitry transmits a control signal to multiple memory devices via a shared control signal path. The data transmit circuitry transmits data signals to the memory devices via respective data signal paths. The timing circuitry delays transmission of data signals on each of the data signal paths by a respective time interval that is based, at least in part, on a time required for the control signal to propagate on the control signal path from the memory controller to a respective one of the memory devices.

Abstract: A memory system architecture/interconnect topology that includes at least one point-to-point link between a master, and at least one memory subsystem. The memory subsystem includes a buffer device coupled to a plurality of memory devices. The memory system may be upgraded through dedicated point-to-point links and corresponding memory subsystems.

Abstract: A memory module having a termination component. The memory module includes multiple memory devices, a termination component, a control signal path and multiple data signal paths. The control signal path is coupled to each of the memory devices and the termination component, and extends along the memory devices such that signals propagating on the control signal path propagate past each of the memory devices in succession before reaching the termination component. A unique set of data signal paths is coupled to each of the memory devices.

Abstract: A memory module having a termination component. The memory module includes first and second memory devices, a termination component and three sets of signal lines. A first set of signal lines is coupled to the first memory device and dedicated to data transfers involving the first memory device. A second signal lines is coupled to the second memory device and dedicated to data transfers involving the second memory device. A third set of signal lines is coupled to the first and second memory devices and the termination component such that a signal propagating on the third set of signal lines propagates past the first memory device before reaching the second memory device, and propagates past the second memory device before reaching the termination component.

Abstract: Described are dynamic memory systems that perform overlapping refresh and data-access (read or write) transactions that minimize the impact of the refresh transaction on memory performance. The memory systems support independent and simultaneous activate and precharge operations directed to different banks. Two sets of address registers enable the system to simultaneously specify different banks for refresh and data-access transactions.

Abstract: A communication channel is operated by storing a calibrated parameter value in nonvolatile memory during manufacturing, testing, or during a first operation of the device. Upon starting operation of the communication channel in the field, the calibrated parameter value is obtained from the nonvolatile memory, and used in applying an operating parameter of the communication channel. After applying the operating parameter, communication is initiated on a communication channel. The operating parameter can be adjusted to account for drift immediately after starting up, or periodically. The process of starting operation in the field includes power up events after a power management operation. In embodiments where one component includes memory, steps can be taken prior to a power management operation using the communication channel, such as transferring calibration patterns to be used in calibration procedures.

Abstract: A memory controller comprises a circuit to convert a set of parallel constituent bits to a serial stream of constituent bits. A first output driver receives at least four bits of the serial stream of constituent bits in succession from the circuit. The first output driver outputs the at least four bits of the serial stream of constituent bits onto a first external signal line.

Abstract: An integrated circuit buffer device comprising a receiver circuit to receive control information and address information. A first interface portion provides at least a first control signal that specifies a write operation to a first memory device. The first control signal corresponds to the control information. A second interface portion provides a first address to the first memory device. The first address corresponds to the address information. The first address specifies a memory location for the write operation to the first memory device. A third interface portion provides a first signal to the first memory device. The first signal synchronizes communication of the first control signal from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device. A fourth interface portion provides at least a second control signal that specifies a write operation to a second memory device. The second control signal corresponds to the control information.

Abstract: A memory module includes an integrated circuit buffer device that receives control information via a connector interface. A first plurality of signal lines carries a first address from the integrated circuit buffer device to a first memory device. A second plurality of signal lines carries a first control signal from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device. The first control signal specifies a read operation by the first memory device such that the first memory device provides first data, accessed from a memory location in the first memory device based on the first address, to the integrated circuit buffer device. A first signal line carries a first signal from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device. The first signal synchronizes communication of the first control signal from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device. A third plurality of signal lines carries a second address from the integrated circuit device to the second memory device.

Abstract: A system comprises a controller device, an integrated circuit buffer device and a first and second memory device. A first plurality of signal lines is coupled to the controller device. A second plurality of signal lines is coupled to the first memory device and the integrated circuit buffer device. The second plurality of signal lines carries first address information from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device. A third plurality of signal lines is coupled to the first memory device and the integrated circuit buffer device. The third plurality of signal lines carries first control information from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device. A first signal line is coupled to the first memory device and the integrated circuit buffer device. The first signal line carries a first signal from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit buffer device comprises a first receiver circuit to receive control information and address information from a controller device. A first interface includes a first interface portion to provide a first address to a first memory device. A second interface portion provides a first control signal to the first memory device. The first control signal specifies a read operation such that the first memory device provides a first data, accessed from a memory location based on the first address, to the integrated circuit buffer device in response to the first control signal specifying the read operation. A third interface portion provides a first clock signal to the first memory device. The first clock signal synchronizes communication of the first control signal from the integrated circuit buffer device to the first memory device. A fourth interface portion receives the first data. A second interface includes a first interface portion to provide a second address to a second memory device.

Abstract: Techniques for increasing bandwidth in port-per-module memory systems having mismatched memory modules are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the techniques are realized through a memory controller for controlling access to a memory module, wherein the memory module has a memory component with a memory core for storing data therein. The memory controller comprises a first set of interface connections for providing access to the memory module, and a second set of interface connections for providing access to the memory module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coordinating memory operations among diversely-located memory components is described. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wave-pipelining is implemented for an address bus coupled to a plurality of memory components. The plurality of memory components are configured according to coordinates relating to the address bus propagation delay and the data bus propagation delay. A timing signal associated with address and/or control signals which duplicates the propagation delay of these signals is used to coordinate memory operations.