For Multiple Memory Modules (e.g., Banks, Interleaved Memory) Patents (Class 711/5)
  • Publication number: 20110029712
    Abstract: A memory device includes an on-board cache system that facilitates the ability of the memory device to interface with a plurality of processors operating in a parallel processing manner. The cache system operates in a manner that can be transparent to a memory controller to which the memory device is connected. Alternatively, the memory controller can control the operation of the cache system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: David Resnick
  • Patent number: 7882324
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a system, method and memory device for accessing memory. One embodiment includes synchronization circuitry configured to determine timing skew between a first memory device and a second memory device, and introduce a delta delay to at least one of the first memory device and the second memory device to adjust the timing skew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventors: Josef Schnell, Klaus Hummler, Jong Hoon Oh, Wayne Frederick Ellis, Jung Pill Kim, Oliver Kiehl, Octavian Beldiman, Lee Ward Collins
  • Patent number: 7873800
    Abstract: Method and device for generating an address value for addressing an interleaver memory. Consecutive address fragments to which a most significant bit(s) is to be appended are generated. Only a fraction of the address fragments generated, which potentially will exceed a maximum allowable value, is compared to the maximum allowable value. If the compared address fragment exceeds the maximum allowable value it is discarded. If the compared address fragment does not exceed the maximum allowable value it is accepted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventor: Anders Berkeman
  • Patent number: 7873776
    Abstract: A multiple-core processor with support for multiple virtual processors. In one embodiment, a processor may include a cache including a number of cache banks, a number of processor cores and core/bank mapping logic coupled to the cache banks and processor cores. During a first mode of processor operation, each of the processor cores may be configurable to access any of the cache banks, and during a second mode of processor operation, the core/bank mapping logic may be configured to implement a plurality of virtual processors within the processor. A first virtual processor may include a first subset of the processor cores and a first subset of the banks, and a second virtual processor may include a second subset of the processor cores and a second subset of the cache banks. Subsets of processor cores and cache banks included in the first and second virtual processors may be distinct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky C. Hetherington, Bikram Saha
  • Patent number: 7870351
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling memory access operation are disclosed. The system may include one or more requestors performing requests to memory devices. Within a memory controller, a request queue receives requests from a requestor, a bank decoder determines a destination bank, and the request is placed in an appropriate bank queue. An ordering unit determines if the current request can be reordered relative to the received order and generates a new memory cycle order based on the reordering determination. The reordering may be based on whether there are multiple requests to the same memory page, multiple reads, or multiple writes. A memory interface executes each memory request in the memory cycle order. A data buffer holds write data until it is written to the memory and read data until it is returned to the requestor. The data buffer also may hold memory words used in read-modify-write operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Resnick
  • Patent number: 7870326
    Abstract: A multiprocessor system and method thereof are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Hee Shin, Han-Gu Sohn, Young-Min Lee, Ho-Cheol Lee, Soo-Young Kim, Dong-Hyuk Lee, Chang-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7865761
    Abstract: A data storage apparatus (e.g., a flash memory appliance) includes a set of memory modules, an interface and a main controller coupled to the each memory module and to the interface. Each memory module has non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., flash memory). The interface is arranged to communicate with a set of external devices. The main controller is arranged to (i) store data within and (ii) retrieve data from the non-volatile semiconductor memory of the set of memory modules in an uneven manner on behalf of the set of external devices to unevenly wear out the memory modules over time. Due to the ability of the data storage apparatus to utilize each memory module through its maximum life and to stagger the failures of the modules, such a data storage apparatus is well-suited as a high availability storage device, e.g., a semiconductor cache for a fault tolerant data storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventor: Kendell Chilton
  • Patent number: 7865674
    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 in a memory module. The memory system includes a first memory device data interface integrated in the memory hub device that communicates with a first set of memory devices integrated in the memory module. The memory system also includes a second memory device data interface integrated in the memory hub device that communicates with a second set of memory devices integrated in the memory module. In the memory system, the first set of memory devices are separate from the second set of memory devices. In the memory system, the first and second set of memory devices are communicated with by the memory hub device via the separate first and second memory device data interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 7865672
    Abstract: An electronic system has a first electronic unit for carrying out a first predetermined operation and a second electronic unit for carrying out a second predetermined operation. The first and second electronic units are electrically communicable with each other. In the system, the first electronic unit stores control data. The second control unit requires the control data for carrying out the second predetermined operation. The second electronic unit sends to the first electronic unit a request to send the control data when the second electronic unit is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Ito
  • Patent number: 7865656
    Abstract: A storage controller that can control memory addresses even when a memory module having a different device configuration than an already mounted memory module is added as an expansion module. More specifically, a storage controller for controlling a storage unit that can be constructed using a plurality of memory modules is configured so as to include: a register which stores memory module configuration information for a basic memory module and an expansion memory module independently of each other; and an address conversion unit which, based on the memory module configuration information stored in the register, generates an address that can access the storage unit even when the memory address space of the expansion memory module is different from the memory address space of the basic memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yoshitsugu Goto
  • Publication number: 20100332718
    Abstract: Memory devices, memory controllers, methods, and systems are provided, such as methods for masking the row cycle latency time of a memory array. In one embodiment, a memory device that is configurable to operate in full or reduced density modes is provided. In a reduced density mode, certain banks within the memory array function as duplicate memory banks associated with an addressable memory bank. Write operations performed in the reduced density mode may write a data segment to an addressed memory bank as well as its associated duplicate banks. When repeated read requests are issued for the data segment, the read requests may be interleaved between the addressed bank and its duplicate banks, thereby masking the row cycle time of each physical bank. That is, the interval between each read out of the data segment from the memory array will appear to be less than the row cycle time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd D. Farrell, Christopher S. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100332719
    Abstract: In a method of controlling a memory device, the following is conveyed over a first set of interconnect resources: a first command that specifies activation of a row of memory cells; a second command that specifies a write operation, wherein write data is written to the row; a bit that specifies whether precharging occurs after the write data is written; and a code that specifies whether data mask information will be issued for the write operation. If the code specifies that the information will be issued, then the information, which specifies whether to selectively write portions of the write data, is conveyed over the first set of interconnect resources after conveying the code. The write data to be written in connection with the write operation is conveyed over a second set of interconnect resources that is separate from the first set of interconnect resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Richard M. Barth, Frederick A. Ware, Donald C. Stark, Craig E. Hampel, Paul G. Davis, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, James A. Gasbarre, David Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7861039
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus for FIFO memories made up of multiple local memory arrays. These embodiments limit the number and length of interconnect lines that are necessary to join two or more local memory arrays into a single, larger functional unit. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a FIFO made up of a number of FIFO sub-blocks connected in series. Each FIFO sub-block includes local read and write address counters such that read and write addresses are not bused between the FIFO sub-blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Bain
  • Patent number: 7861030
    Abstract: A method for providing field updates through the use of a memory emulation circuit with a content addressable memory (CAM) as the intelligent portion of the emulation circuit's arbiter. CAM circuit 200 is comprised of configurable memory and is initially unprogrammed. Address requests are passed straight through multiplexer 201 to Read Only Memory (ROM) 202. As a result the data in the data location in ROM 202 that corresponds to the requested address will be output to data bus 205. If data locations in ROM 202 become defective or contain data that needs to be upgraded the circuit implements a remapping of the data location. CAM circuit 200 is programmed with direct addresses to be replaced in ROM 202. The direct addresses are paired to emulation addresses of data locations in configurable memory 203. Upgraded or substitute data is programmed into the configurable memory 203 at the paired emulation address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul G. Davis
  • Patent number: 7861014
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 7861052
    Abstract: A migration destination storage creates an expansion device for virtualizing a migration source logical unit. A host computer accesses an external volume by way of an access path of a migration destination logical unit, a migration destination storage, a migration source storage, and an external volume. After destaging all dirty data accumulated in the disk cache of the migration source storage to the external volume, an expansion device for virtualizing the external volume is mapped to the migration destination logical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Kawamura, Yasutomo Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20100325338
    Abstract: First and second modules output a predetermined volume of data at a certain rate around the same time. A setting is made so that transfer addresses from the second module are shifted relative to transfer addresses from the first module such that a bank to which the first module issues a data transfer request is in a position separate from a bank to which the second module issues a data transfer request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
    Inventors: Akira UENO, Naruyasu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100325337
    Abstract: A method and system for visualizing a SAN is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for visualizing a SAN includes scanning SAN components in the SAN to determine respective types of the SAN components and connectivity information between the SAN components. The method also includes generating a hierarchically-laid-out SAN graph by determining respective positions of the SAN components in the SAN based on the types of the SAN components and the connectivity information. The method further applying a force-directed model to the hierarchically-laid-out SAN graph to generate a SAN topology layout, wherein attractive and repulsive forces between the SAN components are tuned based on the types of the SAN components and the connectivity information. In addition, the method includes displaying the SAN topology layout on the display area of a display device in a management station coupled to the SAN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Satish Kumar MOPUR, Karthigeyan Kasthurirengan, Unnikrishnan Ponnan Katangot, Suman Sathyanarayana Palavalli, Vijetha Vasanth Thanthry
  • Patent number: 7856528
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for enhanced protection of data stored in a FLASH memory system involve a controller capable of using variable size page stripes in the memory system. The controller is configured to store data such that each page stripe comprises a plurality of data pages, with each data page in the page stripe being stored in a different FLASH memory chip. The controller is also configured to maintain one or more buffers containing information reflecting blocks of memory within the FLASH memory chips that have been erased and are available for information storage, and to dynamically determine the number of data pages to be included in a page stripe based on the information in the one or more buffers such that a first page stripe and a second page strip can have different numbers of data pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Memory Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Holloway H. Frost, James A. Fuxa, Charles J. Camp
  • Patent number: 7856541
    Abstract: A system is composed of multiple storage control modules, which are connected to each other via interconnects. The aforesaid interconnects connecting the storage control modules may cause certain extra latency. Each storage control module may have data preservation module, which can preserve data stored by host computers. The system incorporates a latency table and provides a volume according to the latency table in accordance with a request from a host computer or an administrator. The latency table is dynamically created or statically stored in the inventive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Kaneda, Hiroshi Arakawa
  • Publication number: 20100312945
    Abstract: An intelligent memory bank for use with interleaved memories storing plural vectors comprises setup apparatus (96) receives an initial address (B+C+V+NMSK) and spacing data (D) for each vector. Addressing logic (90) associates a memory cell select (C) to each initial and subsequent address of each of the plurality of vectors. Cell select apparatus (98) accesses a memory cell (in 92) using a memory cell select (C) associated to a respective one of the initial and successive addresses of each vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Maurice L. Hutson
  • Publication number: 20100312944
    Abstract: The present techniques provide systems and methods of controlling access to more than one open page in a memory component, such as a memory bank. Several components may request access to the memory banks. A controller can receive the requests and open or close the pages in the memory bank in response to the requests. In some embodiments, the controller assigns priority to some components requesting access, and assigns a specific page in a memory bank to the priority component. Further, additional available pages in the same memory bank may also be opened by other priority components, or by components with lower priorities. The controller may conserve power, or may increase the efficiency of processing transactions between components and the memory bank by closing pages after time outs, after transactions are complete, or in response to a number of requests received by masters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Walker
  • Publication number: 20100312990
    Abstract: Systems, methods of operating a memory device, and methods of arbitrating access to a memory array in a memory device having an internal processor are provided. In one or more embodiments, conflicts in accessing the memory array are reduced by interfacing an external processor, such as a memory controller, with the internal processor, which could be an embedded ALU, through a control interface. The external processor can control access to the memory array, and the internal processor can send signals to the external processor to request access to the memory array. The signals may also request a particular bank in the memory array. In different embodiments, the external processor and the internal processor communicate via the control interface or a standard memory interface to grant access to the memory array, or to a particular bank in the memory array, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Walker
  • Patent number: 7849255
    Abstract: A memory comprises at least one array of memory elements, a partition of the at least one array into a plurality of sub-arrays of the memory elements, and an array configuration circuit for selectively putting the at least one array in one of two operating configurations. In a first operating configuration, the memory elements of the at least one array are coupled one to another to form a monodimensional sequentially-accessible memory, while in a second operating configuration the memory elements in each sub-array are coupled to one another so as to form an independent monodimensional sequentially-accessible memory block, a data content of any memory element of the sub-array being rotatable by shifts through the memory elements of the sub-array. A sub-array selector, responsive to a first memory address, selects one among the at least two sub-arrays according to the first memory address, and enables access to the selected sub-array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bernard Plessier, Ming Kiat Yap
  • Patent number: 7848855
    Abstract: There is described a method for operating a system of modular structure, which can be extended during operation by adding modules that consume electrical energy, in particular a process automation system, the system having a power supply, which supplies the other modules of the system with electrical energy, with at least one signal being generated and displayed before a further module that consumes electrical energy is added, from which signal it is possible to identify or derive the level of current electrical power, which the power supply can still supply to the further module to be added given the already added modules—residual power—and/or the level of power, which the power supply supplies currently to the already added modules and/or from which it can be identified or derived whether the module to be added can be added without overloading the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Matthias Metzler
  • Patent number: 7844771
    Abstract: A system for implementing a memory subsystem command interface, the system including a cascaded interconnect system including one or more memory modules, a memory controller and a memory bus. The memory controller generates a data frame that includes a plurality of commands. The memory controller and the memory module are interconnected by a packetized multi-transfer interface via the memory bus and the frame is transmitted to the memory modules via the memory bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 7844773
    Abstract: A refresh method for a semiconductor memory device having more than one bank group is provided. The refresh method may include applying an all-refresh command to one the bank groups, determining if one of the bank groups includes a bank undergoing a refresh operation when the all-refresh command is received, and performing an all-refresh operation based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Sunwoo, Yun-Sang Lee, Hoe-Ju Chung
  • Patent number: 7840744
    Abstract: In an aspect, a first method of interfacing a processor and memory is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) generating a first command and associated address of a first type that does not indicate a rank of memory targeted by the first command; (2) determining whether the memory includes a plurality of ranks; (3) if the memory includes a plurality of ranks, employing the processor to update the address associated with the first command to indicate a memory rank targeted by the first command; (4) if the memory does not include a plurality of ranks, employing the processor to update the address associated with the first command to indicate the memory does not include a plurality of ranks; and (5) converting the first command and associated updated address to a second command and associated address that are employed to access the memory. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark David Bellows, Kent Harold Haselhorst, John David Irish, David Alan Norgaard
  • Patent number: 7840762
    Abstract: A multipath accessible semiconductor memory device having a mailbox area and a mailbox access control method thereof are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes N number of ports, at least one shared memory area allocated in a memory cell array, and N number of mailbox areas for message communication. The at least one shared memory area is operationally connected to the N number of ports, and is accessible through a plurality of data input/output lines to form a data access path between the at least one shared memory area and one port, having an access right to the at least one memory area, among the N number of ports. The N number of mailbox areas are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the N number of ports and are accessible through the plurality of data input/output lines when an address of a predetermined area of the at least one shared memory area is applied to the semiconductor memory device. An efficient layout of mailboxes and an efficient message access path can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chi-Sung Oh, Yong-Jun Kim, Kyung-Woo Nam, Jin-Kuk Kim, Soo-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7836263
    Abstract: A nonvolatile-memory controlling method is disclosed which continuously accesses a plurality of memory banks structured so as to have each memory bank accessible independently. The method comprises the steps of: in a busy cycle of one of the plurality of memory banks being accessed, issuing access information to a second memory bank for access thereto; bringing the second memory bank into a selected state while the access information is being issued to the second memory bank using a selection signal for controlling a selected state and an unselected state for any one of the plurality of memory banks; bringing the memory bank in the busy cycle into an unselected state while the access information is being issued; and accessing the plurality of memory banks continuously based on the access information issued to the second memory bank in the busy cycle of one of the memory banks being accessed and in keeping with the selection signal for controlling the second memory bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukushige, Kenichi Satori, Kenichi Nakanishi, Hideaki Bando, Junko Sasaki, Kunihiko Miura, Toshinori Nakamura, Kensuke Hatsukawa
  • Publication number: 20100287357
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a serial processor is configured to execute software instructions in a software program in serial. A serial memory is configured to store data for use by the serial processor in executing the software instructions in serial. A plurality of parallel processors are configured to execute software instructions in the software program in parallel. A plurality of partitioned memory modules are provided and configured to store data for use by the plurality of parallel processors in executing software instructions in parallel. Accordingly, a processor/memory structure is provided that allows serial programs to use quick local serial memories and parallel programs to use partitioned parallel memories. The system may switch between a serial mode and a parallel mode. The system may incorporate pre-fetching commands of several varieties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: XMTT INC.
    Inventor: Uzi Y. Vishkin
  • Patent number: 7822911
    Abstract: A memory device includes an on-board cache system that facilitates the ability of the memory device to interface with a plurality of processors operating in a parallel processing manner. The cache system operates in a manner that can be transparent to a memory controller to which the memory device is connected. Alternatively, the memory controller can control the operation of the cache system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David Resnick
  • Patent number: 7822910
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may generally provide techniques that allow mapping of memory devices in a multi-chip package (MCP) to memory segments of an address space. For some embodiments, a multi-bit device ID, which corresponds to a memory segment to which that device is mapped, is loaded for each memory device. Higher order address bits are then compared to the device IDs assigned to each device. An internally generated chip select line is asserted for a device having a match between the address bits and its device ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Qimonda North America Corp.
    Inventor: Rom-Shen Kao
  • Patent number: 7818501
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, where a plurality of extents are stored in a first set of storage units coupled to a controller. A determination is made that a second set of storage units has been coupled to the controller. The plurality of extents are distributed among all storage units included in the first set of storage units and the second set of storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Smith Hyde, II, Bruce McNutt
  • Patent number: 7818488
    Abstract: Pairs of registers with reduced pins are disposed to overlap on front and back surfaces of a memory module. An input signal INS is transferred through the registers in series in a daisy chain fashion to avoid divergence of the input signal INS for preserved signal integrity. Each register buffers the input signal INS to memory banks disposed closely to sides of the register for reduced wiring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Soo Park, Jeong-Hyeon Cho, Byung-Se So, Jung-Joon Lee, Young Yun, Kwang-Seop Kim
  • Publication number: 20100262751
    Abstract: A processor for low rank addressing of processor memory with non-power-of-two ranks. The processor includes cores that receive access requests to the processor memory (e.g., one or more DIMMs). The processor includes a memory controller connected to the core(s) that generates an address to the processor memory. The generating of the address includes identifying select rank bits in the physical address, determining whether the select rank bits map to a rank that is absent, and, when the physical address maps to an absent rank, modifying the physical address to include a modified set of select rank bits that are mapped to one of the ranks present in the processor memory. The modifying of the physical address may include swapping the lower rank bits with a higher order set of bits in the physical address. The memory controller proceeds with PA to DA conversions with the modified physical address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Karthikeyan Avudaiyappan
  • Patent number: 7814239
    Abstract: A memory device is configured to operate in first and second data input/output modes. The memory device includes a first electrode pad, a second electrode pad, a clock signal line, a first switching unit, and a second switching unit. The clock signal line is configured to transmit a clock to an integrated circuit inside the memory device. The first switching unit switches to electrically connect the first electrode pad and the clock signal line in response to a control signal occurring for the first data input/output mode. The second switching unit switches to electrically connect the second electrode pad and the clock signal line in response to an inverse signal of the control signal occurring for the second data input/output mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-gook Kim, Kwang-il Park, Seung-jun Bae
  • Patent number: 7805561
    Abstract: A single instruction, multiple data (“SIMD”) computer system includes a central control unit coupled to 256 processing elements (“PEs”) and to 32 static random access memory (“SRAM”) devices. Each group of eight PEs can access respective groups of eight columns in a respective SRAM device. Each PE includes a local column address register that can be loaded through a data bus of the respective PE. A local column address stored in the local column address register is applied to an AND gate, which selects either the local column address or a column address applied to the AND gate by the central control unit. As a result, the central control unit can globally access the SRAM device, or a specific one of the eight columns that can be accessed by each PE can be selected locally by the PE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Skull
  • Publication number: 20100241782
    Abstract: A configurable memory access controller and related systems and methods. In embodiments described herein, the configurable memory controller is adapted to provide a separate memory access configuration for each of a plurality of memory banks in a given memory system. The memory access configuration provided for each memory bank can either be to leave open or close at least one memory page in each memory bank. In this manner, a memory access configuration can be provided for each memory bank on an individualized basis to optimize memory access times based on the type of data activity in each memory bank. In embodiments described herein, the memory controller can also be configured to allow for dynamic configuration of one or more memory banks. Dynamic configuration involves changing or overriding the memory access configuration for a particular memory bank to optimize memory access times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Srinivas Maddali, Deepti Vijayalakshmi Sriramagiri
  • Publication number: 20100241783
    Abstract: A memory node for use within a data storage system having a plurality of interconnected memory nodes is provided. The memory node comprises three data input interfaces, three data output interfaces, a memory module for storing data, and a controller coupled to the three data output interfaces, the three data input interfaces, and the memory module. The controller is configured to receive data via one of the three input interfaces, the data having a predetermined destination, read a first portion of the data to determine if the memory node is the predetermined destination, store a second portion of the data on the memory module, if the memory node is the predetermined destination, and transmit the received data via at least one of the three data output interfaces, if the memory node is not the predetermined destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Garcia, David Christopher Hearn
  • Publication number: 20100238186
    Abstract: A display controller is provided. The display controller includes an external memory and a timing controller which compresses current frame data to generate front first in-first out (FIFO) input data, temporarily stores the front FIFO input data and writes the front FIFO input data to the external memory in a burst mode, and reads data from the external memory in the burst mode, temporarily stores the read data as back FIFO output data, and decodes the back FIFO output data to output previous frame data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Yong-Yun Park, Won-Gab Jung, Jong-Seon Kim, Sang-Woo Kim, Hae-Yong Ahn
  • Publication number: 20100241784
    Abstract: A system and method for providing high-speed memory operations is disclosed. The technique uses virtualization of memory space to map a virtual address space to a larger physical address space wherein no memory bank conflicts will occur. The larger physical address space is used to prevent memory bank conflicts from occurring by moving the virtualized memory addresses of data being written to memory to a different location in physical memory that will eliminate a memory bank conflict.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Sundar Iyer, Shang-Tse Chuang
  • Patent number: 7797477
    Abstract: In order to manage the various types of attribute information within the storage system, the storage system includes the following databases within a file-access controlling memory: a database for managing index information for managing contents of the files, and an index retrieval program, a database for managing the attribute information on the files, and a database for managing storage positions of blocks configuring a file. When the storage system receives an access request to a file, the utilization of these databases allows the storage system to make the access to the access-target file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Ogawa, Naoto Matsunami, Masaaki Iwasaki, Koji Sonoda, Kenichi Tsukiji
  • Patent number: 7793043
    Abstract: A memory architecture includes at least one unbuffered dual inline memory module (DIMM). At least one advanced memory buffer (AMB) provides an interface between the at least one DIMM and a host memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert J. Blakely, Ray Woodward, Christian Petersen
  • Patent number: 7793034
    Abstract: In a method of translating a physical memory address to a device address in a device memory space, a fast address translate of the physical memory address, adapted to translate addresses in uniformly configured device memory space, is performed thereby generating a first translated address. A full address translate of the physical memory address, adapted to translate addresses in non-uniformly configured device memory space, is also performed thereby generating a second translated address. Boundaries of a uniform portion of the device memory space are identified, to which the physical memory address is compared to determine if the physical memory address is in the uniform portion of the device memory space. When the physical memory address is in the uniform portion, the first translated address is selected as the device address. Otherwise, the second translated address is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Allison, Joseph A. Kirscht, Elizabeth A. McGlone
  • Patent number: 7788471
    Abstract: A system and method for performing vector arithmetic is disclosed. The method includes loading two operand vectors, each composed of a number of vector elements, into two storage locations. A selected arithmetic operation is performed on the operand vectors to produce a result vector having the number of vector elements. Each vector element of the result vector is associated with an arithmetic logic cell that has a first input that can receive any vector element from the first vector and a second input that can receive any vector element from the second vector. Accordingly each vector element of the result vector is a function of any two individual vector elements of the operand vectors. By applying the operand vector elements to the appropriate arithmetic logic cells, and by selecting the appropriate arithmetic operation, complex vector operations can be performed efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Chengke Sheng
  • Patent number: 7788633
    Abstract: A bank note processing machine includes a plurality of sensors, a transport system, an input/output device, a control device and an interface. The control device has a memory configured to control elements of the bank note processing machine by means of software and/or data stored in the memory. The interface is arranged to couple memory systems of different kinds to the bank note processing machine in order to alter, supplement or replace software and/or data stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Kersten, Hans Wilhelm Buntscheck
  • Patent number: 7788487
    Abstract: In a data processing apparatus that switches between a secure mode and a normal mode during execution, the secure mode allowing access to secure resources to be protected, the normal mode not allowing access to the secure resources, when the secure resources increase in the secure mode, the load on a protection mechanism for protecting the resources becomes large. Thus, there is a demand for data processing apparatuses that are able to reduce secure resources. The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus that stores therein a secure program including one or more processing procedures which use secure resources and a call instruction for calling a normal program to be executed in a normal mode. While executing the secure program, the data processing apparatus calls the normal program with the call instruction and operates according to the called normal program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Ito, Teruto Hirota, Kouichi Kanemura, Tomoyuki Haga, Yoshikatsu Ito
  • Patent number: 7787311
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses and systems including a storage configured to store and output multiple address strides of varying sizes to enable access and precharge circuitry to access and precharge a first and a second group of memory cells based at least in part on the multiple address strides during operation of the host apparatus/system, the first and second group of memory cells being different groups of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: G. R. Mohan Rao
  • Publication number: 20100217915
    Abstract: A memory system with high availability is provided. The memory system includes multiple memory channels. Each memory channel includes at least one memory module with memory devices organized as partial ranks coupled to memory device bus segments. Each partial rank includes a subset of the memory devices accessible as a subchannel on a subset of the memory device bus segments. The memory system also includes a memory controller in communication with the multiple memory channels. The memory controller distributes an access request across the memory channels to access a full rank. The full rank includes at least two of the partial ranks on separate memory channels. Partial ranks on a common memory module can be concurrently accessed. The memory modules can use at least one checksum memory device as a dedicated checksum memory device or a shared checksum memory device between at least two of the concurrently accessible partial ranks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. O'Connor, Kevin C. Gower, Luis A. Lastras-Montano, Warren E. Maule