Patents by Inventor Robert E. Jeter
Robert E. Jeter 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).
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Publication number: 20260064276Abstract: A memory subsystem is disclosed. The memory subsystem includes a memory controller and a memory having at least a first rank and a second rank, the first and second ranks being separately addressable from one another. The memory controller is configured to, in response to receiving a write command, determine if corresponding data is to be written to a single rank or to multiple ranks. When written to multiple ranks, data can be read from the multiple ranks, with comparisons being performed for error checking. Data associated with some write commands may be written to only a single rank, forgoing error protection.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2024Publication date: March 5, 2026Inventors: Robert E. JETER, Jingkui ZHENG
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Patent number: 12542189Abstract: A memory controller is configured to communicate with a memory. The memory controller includes a calibration control circuit configured to perform calibrations of memory signals conveyed between the memory controller and the memory. A storage circuit is configured to store results of the calibrations, including voltage and timing margins of the memory signals. A monitoring circuit is configured to access results of the calibrations stored in the storage circuit to determine whether a set of calibration metrics are being met or exceeded during a period of time. In response to the set of calibration metrics being met or exceeded during the period of time, the monitoring circuit is configured to cause the calibration control circuit to operate in a reduced calibration mode that reduces an amount of time the calibration control circuit spends performing one or more subsequent calibrations.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2023Date of Patent: February 3, 2026Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jean-Didier Allegrucci, Jingkui Zheng, Kai Lun Hsiung, Venkata Ramana Malladi, Srinivasa Rao Masanam, Alma L. Juarez Dominguez, Moosa Yahyazadeh, Karthik Vathool Jambunatha Ramani, Prerana P. Sarode, Satish B. Dulam, Brooke E. Benzenberg, Rahul Ranjan, Naveen Kumar Korada
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Publication number: 20260023491Abstract: Memory calibration with a margin check is disclosed. A memory subsystem includes a memory and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller includes a calibration circuit configured to perform, during an initialization process, horizontal memory calibrations for ones of a plurality of performance states and to determine and store, in a storage circuit, information indicative of a set of differences between calibration results for pairs of the plurality of performance states. The memory controller is further configured to, subsequent to the initialization process and in response to a change from a first one of the plurality of performance states to a second one of the plurality of performance states set initial memory parameters for the second performance state based on the set of differences. Thereafter, operation begins in the second performance state without performing an initial horizontal calibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2025Publication date: January 22, 2026Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, Ritesh J. Shah, Veera Chockalingam, Naveen Kumar Korada
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Patent number: 12444474Abstract: An apparatus for performing memory calibrations during a performance state change is disclosed. A memory controller is configured to convey a clock signal to a memory and includes a calibration control circuit configured to perform a plurality of calibrations of the clock signal during a change from a first one to a second one of a plurality of performance states, and a delay circuit configured to apply a delay to clock signal conveyed to the memory. In performing a one of the calibrations, the calibration control circuit is configured to convey, to the memory, a first command to begin a timing test that generates a count value indicative of a current voltage of the memory, receive the count value from the memory at a conclusion of the timing test, and cause the delay circuit to adjust, based on the count value, the delay applied to the clock signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2023Date of Patent: October 14, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, Srinivasa Rao Masanam
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Patent number: 12423009Abstract: An apparatus for performing a write data strobe concurrent with a reference voltage calibration is disclosed. A memory controller circuit is configured to convey a write clock signal to a memory. The memory controller circuit includes a calibration circuit configured to send a first command to memory to initiate a calibration of the write clock signal and, after an amount of time has elapsed, receive a calibration value from the memory. The memory controller further includes a delay circuit configured to apply a delay to the write clock signal, wherein the calibration circuit is configured to complete calibration of the write clock signal by adjusting the delay applied to the write clock signal in accordance with the calibration value. The calibration circuit is further configured to perform a reference voltage calibration concurrent with the calibration of the write clock signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2024Date of Patent: September 23, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, David A. Knopf, Satish B. Dulam, Kai Lun Hsiung, Venkata Ramana Malladi, Rahul Ranjan
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Patent number: 12399634Abstract: Memory calibration with a margin check is disclosed. A memory subsystem includes a memory and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller includes a calibration circuit configured to perform, during an initialization process, horizontal memory calibrations for ones of a plurality of performance states and to determine and store, in a storage circuit, information indicative of a set of differences between calibration results for pairs of the plurality of performance states. The memory controller is further configured to, subsequent to the initialization process and in response to a change from a first one of the plurality of performance states to a second one of the plurality of performance states set initial memory parameters for the second performance state based on the set of differences. Thereafter, operation begins in the second performance state without performing an initial horizontal calibration.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2024Date of Patent: August 26, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, Ritesh J. Shah, Veera Chockalingam, Naveen Kumar Korada
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Patent number: 12326768Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a computing device in which memory calibrations may be modified based on an energy budget. A computing device is configured to operate using energy provided from at least one energy source. The computing device includes a memory and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller includes a calibration circuit configured to perform a memory calibration. The computing device further includes an energy detection circuit configured to detect and indicate an amount of energy available to the computing device. The memory controller is configured to, based on the amount of energy available to the computing device and a specified energy limit, modify a resolution of the memory calibration such that the memory calibration consumes less energy than the specified energy limit.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2022Date of Patent: June 10, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, Yi Chun Chen
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Patent number: 12293808Abstract: A memory subsystem and method for performing calibrations therein is disclosed. A memory subsystem includes a memory controller coupled to a memory by a plurality of signal paths. The memory controller is configured to perform an initial calibration to determine respective eye patterns corresponding to the ones of the plurality of signal paths. For a subsequent calibration, updated eye patterns are determined for a subset of the plurality of signal paths. Remaining ones of the plurality of signal paths (not included in the subset), are not active during the subsequent calibrations. Updated eye patterns for the remaining ones of the plurality of signal paths are determined based on information obtained during the initial calibration and information from signal paths in the subset designated proxies for the remaining ones of the plurality of signal paths.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Rakesh L. Notani, Kai Lun Hsiung, Venkata Ramana Malladi, Rahul Ranjan, Naveen Kumar Korada
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Publication number: 20250104790Abstract: An apparatus for performing memory calibrations during a performance state change is disclosed. A memory controller is configured to convey a clock signal to a memory and includes a calibration control circuit configured to perform a plurality of calibrations of the clock signal during a change from a first one to a second one of a plurality of performance states, and a delay circuit configured to apply a delay to clock signal conveyed to the memory. In performing a one of the calibrations, the calibration control circuit is configured to convey, to the memory, a first command to begin a timing test that generates a count value indicative of a current voltage of the memory, receive the count value from the memory at a conclusion of the timing test, and cause the delay circuit to adjust, based on the count value, the delay applied to the clock signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, Srinivasa Rao Masanam
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Publication number: 20240295976Abstract: Memory calibration with a margin check is disclosed. A memory subsystem includes a memory and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller includes a calibration circuit configured to perform, during an initialization process, horizontal memory calibrations for ones of a plurality of performance states and to determine and store, in a storage circuit, information indicative of a set of differences between calibration results for pairs of the plurality of performance states. The memory controller is further configured to, subsequent to the initialization process and in response to a change from a first one of the plurality of performance states to a second one of the plurality of performance states set initial memory parameters for the second performance state based on the set of differences. Thereafter, operation begins in the second performance state without performing an initial horizontal calibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2024Publication date: September 5, 2024Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, Ritesh J. Shah, Veera Chockalingam, Naveen Kumar Korada
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Publication number: 20240211151Abstract: An apparatus for performing a write data strobe concurrent with a reference voltage calibration is disclosed. A memory controller circuit is configured to convey a write clock signal to a memory. The memory controller circuit includes a calibration circuit configured to send a first command to memory to initiate a calibration of the write clock signal and, after an amount of time has elapsed, receive a calibration value from the memory. The memory controller further includes a delay circuit configured to apply a delay to the write clock signal, wherein the calibration circuit is configured to complete calibration of the write clock signal by adjusting the delay applied to the write clock signal in accordance with the calibration value. The calibration circuit is further configured to perform a reference voltage calibration concurrent with the calibration of the write clock signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2024Publication date: June 27, 2024Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, David A. Knopf, Satish B. Dulam, Kai Lun Hsiung, Venkata Ramana Malladi, Rahul Ranjan
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Patent number: 12014060Abstract: Memory calibration with a margin check is disclosed. A memory subsystem includes a memory and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller includes a calibration circuit configured to perform, during an initialization process, horizontal memory calibrations for ones of a plurality of performance states and to determine and store, in a storage circuit, information indicative of a set of differences between calibration results for pairs of the plurality of performance states. The memory controller is further configured to, subsequent to the initialization process and in response to a change from a first one of the plurality of performance states to a second one of the plurality of performance states set initial memory parameters for the second performance state based on the set of differences. Thereafter, operation begins in the second performance state without performing an initial horizontal calibration.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, Ritesh J. Shah, Veera Chockalingam, Naveen Kumar Korada
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Patent number: 11960739Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a reference voltage calibration. An apparatus includes a memory and a memory controller including a calibration circuit configured to perform a reference voltage calibration to determine a reference voltage used to distinguish between logic values read from the memory. The reference voltage calibration comprises performing horizontal calibrations at different reference voltage values to determine a range of delay values applied to a data strobe signal at which valid data is read from the memory. The calibration includes determining scores corresponding to ones of the plurality of horizontal calibrations in which a score for a particular one of the plurality of horizontal calibrations is based on a corresponding range of delay values and a reference voltage margin. Thereafter, the calibration circuit selects a calibrated reference voltage based on the scores corresponding to ones of the plurality of horizontal calibrations.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, David A. Knopf, Satish B. Dulam, Kai Lun Hsiung, Venkata Ramana Malladi, Rahul Ranjan
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Publication number: 20240078029Abstract: Memory calibration with a margin check is disclosed. A memory subsystem includes a memory and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller includes a calibration circuit configured to perform, during an initialization process, horizontal memory calibrations for ones of a plurality of performance states and to determine and store, in a storage circuit, information indicative of a set of differences between calibration results for pairs of the plurality of performance states. The memory controller is further configured to, subsequent to the initialization process and in response to a change from a first one of the plurality of performance states to a second one of the plurality of performance states set initial memory parameters for the second performance state based on the set of differences. Thereafter, operation begins in the second performance state without performing an initial horizontal calibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2022Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Jingkui Zheng, Ritesh J. Shah, Veera Chockalingam, Naveen Kumar Korada
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Publication number: 20240062792Abstract: A memory subsystem and method for performing calibrations therein is disclosed. A memory subsystem includes a memory controller coupled to a memory by a plurality of signal paths. The memory controller is configured to perform an initial calibration to determine respective eye patterns corresponding to the ones of the plurality of signal paths. For a subsequent calibration, updated eye patterns are determined for a subset of the plurality of signal paths. Remaining ones of the plurality of signal paths (not included in the subset), are not active during the subsequent calibrations. Updated eye patterns for the remaining ones of the plurality of signal paths are determined based on information obtained during the initial calibration and information from signal paths in the subset designated proxies for the remaining ones of the plurality of signal paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Rakesh L. Notani, Kai Lun Hsiung, Venkata Ramana Malladi, Rahul Ranjan, Naveen Kumar Korada
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Patent number: 11875871Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes an energy source and an integrated circuit that is coupled to one or more memory devices via a plurality of memory channels. A memory controller in the integrated circuit is programmable with a plurality of identifiers corresponding to the plurality of channels, and is further programmable with a command and a first identifier associated with the command. Responsive to the command, the memory controller is configured to perform one or more calibrations on a subset of the plurality of channels for which corresponding identifiers of the plurality of identifiers match the first identifier. Other ones of the plurality of channels, for which the corresponding identifiers do not match the first identifier, do not perform the calibration.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Rakesh L. Notani, Alma L. Juarez Dominguez
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Patent number: 11776597Abstract: A memory subsystem and method for performing calibrations therein is disclosed. A memory subsystem includes a memory controller coupled to a memory by a plurality of signal paths. The memory controller is configured to perform an initial calibration to determine respective eye patterns corresponding to the ones of the plurality of signal paths. For a subsequent calibrations, updated eye patterns are determined for a subset of the plurality of signal paths. Remaining ones of the plurality of signal paths (not included in the subset), are not active during the subsequent calibrations. Updated eye patterns for the remaining ones of the plurality of signal paths are determined based on information obtained during the initial calibration and information from signal paths in the subset designated proxies for the remaining ones of the plurality of signal paths.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Rakesh L. Notani, Kai Lun Hsiung, Venkata Ramana Malladi, Rahul Ranjan, Naveen Kumar Korada
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Publication number: 20230115215Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes an energy source and an integrated circuit that is coupled to one or more memory devices via a plurality of memory channels. A memory controller in the integrated circuit is programmable with a plurality of identifiers corresponding to the plurality of channels, and is further programmable with a command and a first identifier associated with the command. Responsive to the command, the memory controller is configured to perform one or more calibrations on a subset of the plurality of channels for which corresponding identifiers of the plurality of identifiers match the first identifier. Other ones of the plurality of channels, for which the corresponding identifiers do not match the first identifier, do not perform the calibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Rakesh L. Notani, Alma L. Juarez Dominguez
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Patent number: 11527269Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes an energy source and an integrated circuit that is coupled to one or more memory devices via a plurality of memory channels. A memory controller in the integrated circuit is programmable with a plurality of identifiers corresponding to the plurality of channels, and is further programmable with a command and a first identifier associated with the command. Responsive to the command, the memory controller is configured to perform one or more calibrations on a subset of the plurality of channels for which corresponding identifiers of the plurality of identifiers match the first identifier. Other ones of the plurality of channels, for which the corresponding identifiers do not match the first identifier, do not perform the calibration.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Rakesh L. Notani, Alma L. Juarez Dominguez
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Patent number: 11501820Abstract: A method and apparatus for selective reference voltage calibration in a memory subsystem is disclosed. A memory subsystem includes a memory coupled to a memory controller. The memory controller may operate in one of a number of different performance states. The memory controller further includes a calibration circuit configured to perform reference voltage calibrations for the various ones of the performance states to determine corresponding reference voltages. For a performance state change from an initial performance state to a final performance state, via an intermediate performance state, the memory controller is configured to transition to the intermediate performance state without causing the calibration circuit to perform a reference voltage calibration in that state. Thereafter, the memory controller transitions to the final performance state.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Jeter, Kai Lun Hsiung, Rakesh L. Notani, Venkata Ramana Malladi, John H. Kelm, Taehyun Kim