公开(公告)号：US11474957B2

公开(公告)日：2022-10-18

申请号：US17022746

申请日：2020-09-16

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Ian Shaeffer ,  Frederick A. Ware

IPC: G06F12/14 ,  G06F3/06 ,  G06F13/16 ,  G06F12/02

Abstract: A multi-rank memory system in which calibration operations are performed between a memory controller and one rank of memory while data is transferred between the controller and other ranks of memory. A memory controller performs a calibration operation that calibrates parameters pertaining to transmission of data via a first data bus between the memory controller and a memory device in a first rank of memory. While the controller performs the calibration operation, the controller also transfers data with a memory device in a second rank of memory via a second data bus.

公开(公告)号：US20220291848A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-15

申请号：US17829207

申请日：2022-05-31

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware ,  Robert E. Palmer ,  John W. Poulton

IPC: G06F3/06 ,  G06F13/16 ,  G06Q10/00 ,  G11C7/02 ,  G11C11/406 ,  G06Q20/00

Abstract: A system includes a memory controller and a memory device having a command interface, refresh circuitry, control logic, and a plurality of memory banks, each with a plurality of rows of memory cells. The command interface is operable to receive a refresh command from a memory controller and the refresh circuitry is configured to perform one or more refresh operations to refresh data stored in at least one bank of the plurality of memory banks during a refresh time interval in response to the refresh command from the memory controller. The control logic is to configure the command interface to enter a calibration mode during the refresh time interval, and the command interface is configured to perform a calibration operation in the calibration mode during the refresh time interval.

公开(公告)号：US20220283941A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-08

申请号：US17702505

申请日：2022-03-23

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware ,  John Eric Linstadt ,  Christopher Haywood

IPC: G06F12/0804 ,  G06F12/12

Abstract: A hybrid volatile/non-volatile memory module employs a relatively fast, durable, and expensive dynamic, random-access memory (DRAM) cache to store a subset of data from a larger amount of relatively slow and inexpensive nonvolatile memory (NVM). A module controller prioritizes accesses to the DRAM cache for improved speed performance and to minimize programming cycles to the NVM. Data is first written to the DRAM cache where it can be accessed (written to and read from) without the aid of the NVM. Data is only written to the NVM when that data is evicted from the DRAM cache to make room for additional data. Mapping tables relating NVM addresses to physical addresses are distributed throughout the DRAM cache using cache line bits that are not used for data.

公开(公告)号：US20220262412A1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-18

申请号：US17665760

申请日：2022-02-07

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： James E. Harris ,  Thomas Vogelsang ,  Frederick A. Ware ,  Ian P. Shaeffer

IPC: G11C7/10 ,  G11C7/08 ,  G11C5/02 ,  G11C11/4076 ,  G11C11/408 ,  G11C11/4091 ,  G11C7/06 ,  G11C7/12 ,  G11C7/22 ,  G11C8/08 ,  G11C8/10

Abstract: Row activation operations within a memory component are carried out with respect to subrows instead of complete storage rows to reduce power consumption. Further, instead of activating subrows in response to row commands, subrow activation operations are deferred until receipt of column commands that specify the column operation to be performed and the subrow to be activated.

公开(公告)号：US20220253240A1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-11

申请号：US17608426

申请日：2020-04-28

Applicant: RAMBUS INC.

Inventor： Christopher Haywood ,  Frederick A. Ware

IPC: G06F3/06

Abstract: A cascaded memory system includes a memory module having a primary interface coupled to a memory controller via a first communication channel and a secondary interface coupled to a second memory module via a second communication channel. The first memory module buffers and repeats signals received on the primary and secondary interfaces to enable communications between the memory controller and the secondary memory module.

公开(公告)号：US20220221989A1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-14

申请号：US17586575

申请日：2022-01-27

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware ,  Ely Tsern

IPC: G06F3/06 ,  G11C5/04 ,  G11C7/10 ,  G06F12/06

Abstract: Memory modules, systems, memory controllers and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory module includes a module substrate having first and second memory devices. Buffer circuitry disposed on the substrate couples to the first and second memory devices via respective first and second secondary interfaces. The buffer circuitry includes a primary signaling interface for coupling to a group of signaling links associated with a memory controller. The primary signaling interface operates at a primary signaling rate and the first and second secondary data interfaces operate at a secondary signaling rate. During a first mode of operation, the primary interface signaling rate is at least twice the secondary signaling rate. A first time interval associated with a transfer of first column data via the first secondary interface temporally overlaps a second time interval involving second column data transferred via the second secondary interface.

公开(公告)号：US11379392B2

公开(公告)日：2022-07-05

申请号：US16942380

申请日：2020-07-29

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware ,  John Eric Linstadt ,  Kenneth Lee Wright

IPC: G06F13/00 ,  G06F13/16 ,  G06F13/28

Abstract: A memory module comprises an address buffer circuit, a command/address channel, and a plurality of memory components controlled by the address buffer circuit via the command/address channel. At least one memory component comprises a plurality of data ports, a memory core to store data, and a data interface. The data interface is capable of transferring data between the memory core and the data ports. The data interface supports a first data width mode in which the data interface transfers data at a first bit width and a first burst length via the data ports. The data interface also supports a second data width mode in which the data interface transfers data at a second bit width and second burst length via the data ports. The first bit width is greater than the second bit width and the first burst length is shorter than the second burst length.

公开(公告)号：US11323118B1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-03

申请号：US17007232

申请日：2020-08-31

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware ,  John Eric Linstadt

IPC: H03K19/0944 ,  H03K19/20

Abstract: A combinational logic circuit includes input circuitry to receive a first input signal that transitions between upper and lower voltages of a first voltage domain, and to generate, in response to the transitions of the first input signal, a first localized signal that transitions between upper and lower voltages of a second voltage domain. The combinational logic circuit additionally includes output circuitry to generate a first output signal that transitions between the upper and lower supply voltages of the first voltage domain based at least in part on the transitions of the first localized signal.

公开(公告)号：US11307243B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-19

申请号：US16924321

申请日：2020-07-09

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware

IPC: G01R31/28 ,  G01R31/317 ,  G11C29/02 ,  G11C29/12 ,  G11C29/16 ,  G11C29/50 ,  G01R31/26 ,  H03L7/00 ,  G11C29/04

Abstract: A memory controller instantiated on a semiconductor IC device comprises a timing circuit to transfer a timing signal, the timing circuit being configured to receive a first test signal and to effect a delay in the timing signal in response to the first test signal, the first test signal including a first timing event. The memory controller further comprises an interface circuit configured to transfer the data signal in response to the timing signal, the interface circuit being further configured to receive a second test signal and to effect a delay in the data signal in response to the second test signal, the second test signal including a second timing event that is related to the first timing event according to a test criterion.

公开(公告)号：US11301378B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-12

申请号：US16652234

申请日：2018-10-03

Applicant: Rambus Inc.

Inventor： Frederick A. Ware ,  John Eric Linstadt ,  Christopher Haywood

IPC: G06F12/0804 ,  G06F12/12 ,  G11C14/00

Abstract: A hybrid volatile/non-volatile memory module employs a relatively fast, durable, and expensive dynamic, random-access memory (DRAM) cache to store a subset of data from a larger amount of relatively slow and inexpensive nonvolatile memory (NVM). A module controller prioritizes accesses to the DRAM cache for improved speed performance and to minimize programming cycles to the NVM. Data is first written to the DRAM cache where it can be accessed (written to and read from) without the aid of the NVM. Data is only written to the NVM when that data is evicted from the DRAM cache to make room for additional data. Mapping tables relating NVM addresses to physical addresses are distributed throughout the DRAM cache using cache line bits that are not used for data.