公开(公告)号：US20170331615A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-16

申请号：US15498031

申请日：2017-04-26

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware ,  Richard E. Perego ,  Craig E. Hampel

IPC: H04L7/00 ,  H04L25/12 ,  H04L25/02 ,  H04L7/10 ,  H04L7/033 ,  G11C7/04

CPC classification number: H04L7/0016 ,  G11C7/04 ,  G11C2207/2254 ,  H04L7/0087 ,  H04L7/0091 ,  H04L7/033 ,  H04L7/10 ,  H04L25/0292 ,  H04L25/12

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.

公开(公告)号：US20170329719A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-16

申请号：US15665284

申请日：2017-07-31

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Craig E. Hampel ,  Frederick A. Ware

IPC: G06F12/1081 ,  G06F13/16 ,  G06F13/28

CPC classification number: G06F13/1642 ,  G06F12/1081 ,  G06F13/1663 ,  G06F13/1678 ,  G06F13/1684 ,  G06F13/28 ,  G06F13/4243 ,  G06F2212/656 ,  G11C5/04 ,  G11C7/1012 ,  G11C7/1045 ,  G11C7/1075 ,  H05K1/181 ,  H05K2201/09227 ,  H05K2201/10159 ,  Y02D10/14 ,  Y02D10/151 ,  Y02P70/611

Abstract: A memory module having reduced access granularity. The memory module includes a substrate having signal lines thereon that form a control path and first and second data paths, and further includes first and second memory devices coupled in common to the control path and coupled respectively to the first and second data paths. The first and second memory devices include control circuitry to receive respective first and second memory access commands via the control path and to effect concurrent data transfer on the first and second data paths in response to the first and second memory access commands.

公开(公告)号：US20170317768A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-02

申请号：US15490627

申请日：2017-04-18

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Craig E. Hampel ,  Frederick A. Ware ,  Richard E. Perego

IPC: H04B17/11 ,  H04L7/10 ,  H04L7/04 ,  H04L7/00 ,  H04B17/00 ,  H04L27/00 ,  H04B17/21

CPC classification number: H04B17/11 ,  H04B17/00 ,  H04B17/21 ,  H04L7/0004 ,  H04L7/0016 ,  H04L7/0087 ,  H04L7/043 ,  H04L7/10 ,  H04L27/00

Abstract: A method and system that provides for execution of a first calibration sequence, such as upon initialization of a system, to establish an operation value, which utilizes an algorithm intended to be exhaustive, and executing a second calibration sequence from time to time, to measure drift in the parameter, and to update the operation value in response to the measured drift. The second calibration sequence utilizes less resources of the communication channel than does the first calibration sequence. In one embodiment, the first calibration sequence for measurement and convergence on the operation value utilizes long calibration patterns, such as codes that are greater than 30 bytes, or pseudorandom bit sequences having lengths of 2N−1 bits, where N is equal to or greater than 7, while the second calibration sequence utilizes short calibration patterns, such as fixed codes less than 16 bytes, and for example as short as 2 bytes long.

公开(公告)号：US09703503B2

公开(公告)日：2017-07-11

申请号：US14509572

申请日：2014-10-08

Applicant: RAMBUS INC.

Inventor： Ian Shaeffer ,  Frederick Ware ,  Craig E. Hampel

IPC: G06F3/06 ,  G06F13/16 ,  G11C7/22

CPC classification number: G06F3/0634 ,  G06F3/0665 ,  G06F3/0689 ,  G06F13/1694 ,  G06F2212/262 ,  G11C7/22

Abstract: In a reconfigurable data strobe-based memory system, data strobes may be re-tasked in different modes of operation. For example, in one mode of operation a differential data strobe may be used as a timing reference for a given set of data signals. In a second mode of operation, one of the components of the differential data strobe may be used as a timing reference for a first portion of the set of data signals and the other component used as a timing reference for a second portion of the set of data signals. Different data mask-related schemes also may be invoked for different modes of operation. For example, in a first mode of operation a memory controller may generate a data mask signal to prevent a portion of a set of data from being written to a memory array. Then, in a second mode of operation the memory controller may invoke a coded value replacement scheme or a data strobe transition inhibition scheme to prevent a portion of a set of data from being written to a memory array.

公开(公告)号：US20170097904A1

公开(公告)日：2017-04-06

申请号：US15314316

申请日：2015-05-26

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware ,  Craig E. Hampel

IPC: G06F13/16 ,  G11C11/4093 ,  G11C11/408 ,  G06F13/40

CPC classification number: G06F13/1673 ,  G06F13/4068 ,  G11C5/04 ,  G11C7/10 ,  G11C7/1042 ,  G11C11/4082 ,  G11C11/4093 ,  G11C2207/229

Abstract: A memory module includes a substrate, plural memory devices, and a buffer. The plural memory devices are organized into at least one rank, each memory device having plural banks. The buffer includes a primary interface for communicating with a memory controller and a secondary interface coupled to the plural memory devices. For each bank of each rank of memory devices, the buffer includes data buffer circuitry and address buffer circuitry. The data buffer circuitry includes first storage to store write data transferred during a bank cycle interval (tRR). The address buffer circuitry includes second storage to store address information corresponding to the data stored in the first storage.

公开(公告)号：US20170054549A1

公开(公告)日：2017-02-23

申请号：US15250685

申请日：2016-08-29

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Bret G. Stott ,  Craig E. Hampel ,  Frederick A. Ware

IPC: H04L7/033 ,  H04L1/20 ,  H04L7/00

CPC classification number: H04L7/0337 ,  G11C7/04 ,  G11C7/1051 ,  G11C7/1069 ,  G11C7/1078 ,  G11C7/1093 ,  G11C7/1096 ,  G11C7/20 ,  G11C7/22 ,  G11C7/222 ,  G11C2207/2254 ,  H03L7/0814 ,  H04L1/203 ,  H04L7/0004 ,  H04L7/0008 ,  H04L7/0037 ,  H04L7/0041

Abstract: A signaling system is disclosed. The signaling system includes a first integrated circuit (IC) chip to receive a data signal and a strobe signal. The first IC includes circuitry to sample the data signal at times indicated by the strobe signal to generate phase error information and circuitry to output the phase error information from the first IC device. The system further includes a signaling link and a second IC chip coupled to the first IC chip via the signaling link to output the data signal and the strobe signal to the first IC chip. The second IC chip includes delay circuitry to generate the strobe signal by delaying an aperiodic timing signal for a first time interval and timing control circuitry to receive the phase error information from the first IC chip and adjust the first time interval in accordance with the phase error information.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种信令系统。 信令系统包括用于接收数据信号和选通信号的第一集成电路（IC）芯片。 第一IC包括在由选通信号指示的时间采样数据信号以产生相位误差信息的电路，以及从第一IC器件输出相位误差信息的电路。 该系统还包括信令链路和经由信令链路耦合到第一IC芯片的第二IC芯片，以将数据信号和选通信号输出到第一IC芯片。 第二IC芯片包括延迟电路，用于通过延迟第一时间间隔的非周期性定时信号和定时控制电路来产生选通信号，以从第一IC芯片接收相位误差信息，并根据相位误差调整第一时间间隔 信息。

公开(公告)号：US20170031864A1

公开(公告)日：2017-02-02

申请号：US15228614

申请日：2016-08-04

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Mark A. Horowitz ,  Craig E. Hampel ,  Alfredo Moncayo ,  Kevin S. Donnelly ,  Jared L. Zerbe

IPC: G06F13/42 ,  G06F13/40 ,  G06F13/364

CPC classification number: G06F13/4291 ,  G06F3/061 ,  G06F3/0611 ,  G06F3/0619 ,  G06F3/0658 ,  G06F3/0661 ,  G06F3/0679 ,  G06F3/0688 ,  G06F12/0246 ,  G06F12/1081 ,  G06F13/102 ,  G06F13/1689 ,  G06F13/364 ,  G06F13/4072 ,  G06F13/4086 ,  G06F13/4234 ,  G06F13/4243 ,  G06F2206/1014 ,  G06F2212/7201 ,  G11C5/04 ,  G11C5/063 ,  G11C7/1048 ,  G11C7/1072 ,  G11C7/22 ,  G11C7/222 ,  G11C16/32 ,  G11C19/00 ,  H03K19/00384 ,  H03K19/018585

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit including an output driver. The integrated circuit device includes a first register to store a value representative of a drive strength setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the drive strength setting. The integrated circuit device also includes a second register to store a value representative of an equalization setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the equalization setting. The integrated circuit device further includes a third register to store a value representative of a slew rate setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the slew rate setting.

Abstract translation: 集成电路装置包括具有输出驱动器的发送器电路。 集成电路装置包括第一寄存器，用于存储表示与发送器电路相关联的驱动强度设置的值，使得输出驱动器根据驱动强度设置输出数据。 集成电路装置还包括第二寄存器，用于存储代表与发送器电路相关联的均衡设置的值，使得输出驱动器根据均衡设置输出数据。 集成电路装置还包括第三寄存器，用于存储表示与发送器电路相关联的转换速率设置的值，使得输出驱动器根据转换速率设置输出数据。

公开(公告)号：US20160196864A1

公开(公告)日：2016-07-07

申请号：US15070376

申请日：2016-03-15

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware ,  Ely K. Tsern ,  Richard E. Perego ,  Craig E. Hampel

IPC: G11C11/4076 ,  G11C11/4096

CPC classification number: G11C11/4076 ,  G06F1/06 ,  G06F1/105 ,  G06F1/12 ,  G06F3/0604 ,  G06F3/0658 ,  G06F3/0673 ,  G06F13/1684 ,  G06F13/1689 ,  G06F13/1694 ,  G06F13/4086 ,  G11C5/063 ,  G11C7/04 ,  G11C7/1051 ,  G11C7/1072 ,  G11C7/1078 ,  G11C7/22 ,  G11C7/222 ,  G11C8/18 ,  G11C11/409 ,  G11C11/4096 ,  G11C29/02 ,  G11C29/022 ,  G11C29/023 ,  G11C29/028 ,  G11C29/50008 ,  G11C29/50012

Abstract: A memory controller component includes transmit circuitry and adjusting circuitry. The transmit circuitry transmits a clock signal and write data to a DRAM, the write data to be sampled by the DRAM using a timing signal. The adjusting circuitry adjusts transmit timing of the write data and of the timing signal such that an edge transition of the timing signal is aligned with an edge transition of the clock signal at the DRAM.

Abstract translation: 存储器控制器组件包括发射电路和调整电路。 发送电路使用定时信号发送时钟信号并将数据写入DRAM，由DRAM采样的写入数据。 调整电路调整写入数据和定时信号的发送定时，使得定时信号的边沿转换与DRAM处的时钟信号的边沿转换对齐。

公开(公告)号：US20160026599A1

公开(公告)日：2016-01-28

申请号：US14875433

申请日：2015-10-05

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Mark A. Horowitz ,  Craig E. Hampel ,  Alfredo Moncayo ,  Kevin S. Donnelly ,  Jared L. Zerbe

IPC: G06F13/42 ,  G06F12/02 ,  G06F13/40 ,  G11C16/32

CPC classification number: G06F13/4291 ,  G06F3/061 ,  G06F3/0611 ,  G06F3/0619 ,  G06F3/0658 ,  G06F3/0661 ,  G06F3/0679 ,  G06F3/0688 ,  G06F12/0246 ,  G06F12/1081 ,  G06F13/102 ,  G06F13/1689 ,  G06F13/364 ,  G06F13/4072 ,  G06F13/4086 ,  G06F13/4234 ,  G06F13/4243 ,  G06F2206/1014 ,  G06F2212/7201 ,  G11C5/04 ,  G11C5/063 ,  G11C7/1048 ,  G11C7/1072 ,  G11C7/22 ,  G11C7/222 ,  G11C16/32 ,  G11C19/00 ,  H03K19/00384 ,  H03K19/018585

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a transmitter circuit including an output driver. The integrated circuit device includes a first register to store a value representative of a drive strength setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the drive strength setting. The integrated circuit device also includes a second register to store a value representative of an equalization setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the equalization setting. The integrated circuit device further includes a third register to store a value representative of a slew rate setting associated with the transmitter circuit such that the output driver outputs data in accordance with the slew rate setting.

Abstract translation: 集成电路装置包括具有输出驱动器的发送器电路。 集成电路装置包括第一寄存器，用于存储表示与发送器电路相关联的驱动强度设置的值，使得输出驱动器根据驱动强度设置输出数据。 集成电路装置还包括第二寄存器，用于存储代表与发送器电路相关联的均衡设置的值，使得输出驱动器根据均衡设置输出数据。 集成电路装置还包括第三寄存器，用于存储表示与发送器电路相关联的转换速率设置的值，使得输出驱动器根据转换速率设置输出数据。

公开(公告)号：US09123433B2

公开(公告)日：2015-09-01

申请号：US13949982

申请日：2013-07-24

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Craig E. Hampel ,  Richard E. Perego ,  Stefanos Sidiropoulos ,  Ely K. Tsern ,  Frederick A. Ware

IPC: G11C7/22 ,  G11C11/406 ,  G11C7/10 ,  G11C11/4078 ,  G06F12/02 ,  G11C21/00 ,  H04L7/00

CPC classification number: G11C11/4076 ,  G06F3/061 ,  G06F3/0629 ,  G06F3/0671 ,  G06F12/0246 ,  G11C7/10 ,  G11C7/1051 ,  G11C7/106 ,  G11C7/1066 ,  G11C7/1078 ,  G11C7/1087 ,  G11C7/22 ,  G11C7/222 ,  G11C11/40611 ,  G11C11/4072 ,  G11C11/4078 ,  G11C11/4093 ,  G11C21/00 ,  G11C2207/2254 ,  H04L7/0025 ,  H04L7/0079 ,  H04L7/0091

Abstract: A memory component includes a memory core comprising dynamic random access memory (DRAM) storage cells and a first circuit to receive external commands. The external commands include a read command that specifies transmitting data accessed from the memory core. The memory component also includes a second circuit to transmit data onto an external bus in response to a read command and pattern register circuitry operable during calibration to provide at least a first data pattern and a second data pattern. During the calibration, a selected one of the first data pattern and the second data pattern is transmitted by the second circuit onto the external bus in response to a read command received during the calibration.

Abstract translation: 存储器组件包括包含动态随机存取存储器（DRAM）存储单元的存储器核心和用于接收外部命令的第一电路。 外部命令包括指定发送从存储器核心访问的数据的读取命令。 存储器组件还包括响应于读取命令和在校准期间可操作以提供至少第一数据模式和第二数据模式的读取命令和模式寄存器电路将数据发送到外部总线的第二电路。 在校准期间，第一数据模式和第二数据模式中的所选择的一个被响应于在校准期间接收到的读命令，被第二电路发送到外部总线上。