Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080201548 | SYSTEM HAVING ONE OR MORE MEMORY DEVICES - A system having serially connected memory devices in a ring topology organization to realize high speed performance. The memory devices have dynamically configurable data widths such that the system can operate with up to a maximum common number of active data pads to maximize performance, or to operate with a single active data pad to minimize power consumption. Therefore the system can include a mix of memory devices having different data widths. The memory devices are dynamically configurable through the issuance of a single command propagated serially through all the memory devices from the memory controller in a broadcast operation. Robust operation of the system is ensured by implementing a data output inhibit algorithm, which prevents valid data from being provided to the memory controller when read output control signal is received out of its proper sequence. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201588 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION IN A SYSTEM HAVING INTERCONNECTED DEVICES - A system includes a plurality of memory devices connected in-series that communicate with a memory controller. A memory device designated by an ID number performs operations at a normal power consumption level. The other devices not designated perform signal forwarding operations at a reduced power consumption level. The designated memory device enables its internal clock generator to generate all clocks necessary for operations. The non-designated memory devices generate clocks to perform partial operations for forwarding commands to next memory devices. In another example, memory devices do not forward the input command to the next memory device when there is no ID match. In another example, a memory device transmits the command replacing the content thereof with a static output when there is an ID match. Such partial clock generation, non-forwarding of commands and replacing the command contents will cause the system to operate at the reduced power consumption level. | 08-21-2008 |
20080205168 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING A PAGE BUFFER OF A MEMORY DEVICE AS A TEMPORARY CACHE - An apparatus and method are provided for using a page buffer of a memory device as a temporary cache for data. A memory controller writes data to the page buffer and later reads out the data without programming the data into the memory cells of the memory device. This allows the memory controller to use the page buffer as temporary cache so that the data does not have to occupy space within the memory controller's local data storage elements. Therefore, the memory controller can use the space in its own storage elements for other operations. | 08-28-2008 |
20080209108 | System and method of page buffer operation for memory devices - Systems and methods are provided for using page buffers of memory devices connected to a memory controller through a common bus. A page buffer of a memory device is used as a temporary cache for data which is written to the memory cells of the memory device. This can allow the memory controller to use memory devices as temporary caches so that the memory controller can free up space in its own memory. | 08-28-2008 |
20080209110 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PAGE PROGRAM OPERATION FOR MEMORY DEVICES WITH MIRROR BACK-UP OF DATA - An apparatus and method of page program operation is provided. When performing a page program operation with a selected memory device, a memory controller loads the data into the page buffer of one selected memory device and also into the page buffer of another selected memory device in order to store a back-up copy of the data. In the event that the data is not successfully programmed into the memory cells of the one selected memory device, then the memory controller recovers the data from the page buffer of the other memory device. Since a copy of the data is stored in the page buffer of the other memory device, the memory controller does not need to locally store the data in its data storage elements. | 08-28-2008 |
20080226004 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CLOCK SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION IN A CONFIGURATION OF SERIES-CONNECTED SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A system includes a system controller and a configuration of series-connected semiconductor devices. Such a device includes an input for receiving a clock signal originating from a previous device, and an output for providing a synchronized clock signal destined for a succeeding device. The device further includes a clock synchronizer for producing the synchronized clock signal by processing the received clock signal and an earlier version of the synchronized clock signal. The device further includes a device controller for adjusting a parameter used by the clock synchronizer in processing the earlier version of the synchronized clock signal. The system controller has an output for providing a first clock signal to a first device, and an input for receiving a second clock signal from a second device. The second clock signal corresponds to a version of the first clock signal that has undergone processing by a clock synchronizer in at least one of the devices. The system controller further includes a detector for processing the first and second clock signals to detect a phase difference therebetween; and a synchronization controller for commanding an adjustment to the clock synchronizer in at least one of the devices based on the phase difference detected by the detector. | 09-18-2008 |
20090021992 | MEMORY WITH DATA CONTROL - In an embodiment, a memory device comprises memory, a first data link, a first input, a second input, a second data link, a first output and a second output. The first data link is configured to input one or more packets into the memory device. The first input is configured to input command strobe signals into the memory device that delineate command packets that are input into the memory device via the first data link. The second input is configured to input data strobe signals into the memory device that delineate data packets that are input into the memory device via the first data link. The first and second outputs are configured to output the command strobe signal and data strobe signal, respectively. The second data link is configured to output packets from the memory device. | 01-22-2009 |
20090063786 | Daisy-chain memory configuration and usage - Daisy-chain memory configuration and usage is disclosed. According to one configuration, a memory system includes a controller and corresponding string of multiple successive memory devices coupled in a daisy-chain manner. The controller communicates commands over the serial control link to configure a first memory device to write a block of data to a second memory device in the chain. For example, the controller initiates copying a block of data by communicating over the daisy-chain control link to configure a first memory device of the multiple memory devices to be a source for outputting data, communicating over the daisy-chain control link to configure a second memory device to be a destination for receiving data, and communicating over the daisy-chain control link to initiate a transfer of the data from the first memory device to the second memory device. | 03-05-2009 |
20090073768 | MEMORY WITH OUTPUT CONTROL - An apparatus, system, and method for controlling data transfer to an output port of a serial data link interface in a semiconductor memory is disclosed. In one example, a flash memory device may have multiple serial data links, multiple memory banks and control input ports that enable the memory device to transfer the serial data to a serial data output port of the memory device. In another example, a flash memory device may have a single serial data link, a single memory bank, a serial data input port, a control input port for receiving output enable signals. The flash memory devices may be cascaded in a daisy-chain configuration using echo signal lines to serially communicate between memory devices. | 03-19-2009 |
20090103383 | DYNAMIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY WITH FULLY INDEPENDENT PARTIAL ARRAY REFRESH FUNCTION - A dynamic random access memory device includes a plurality of memory subblocks. Each subblock has a plurality of wordlines whereto a plurality of data store cells are connected. Partial array self-refresh (PASR) configuration settings are independently made. In accordance with the PASR settings, the memory subblocks are addressed for refreshing. The PASR settings are made by a memory controller. Any kind of combinations of subblock addresses may be selected. Thus, the memory subblocks are fully independently refreshed. User selectable memory arrays for data retention provide effective memory control programming especially for low power mobile application. | 04-23-2009 |
20090103384 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SELF-REFRESHING DYNAMIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY CELLS - A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) having DRAM cells coupled to wordlines and bitlines. In a self-refresh mode, the cells coupled with the even numbered rows retain main data previously stored therein and the assistant data, which is logically opposite to the main data, is overwritten into the cells coupled with the wordlines of the odd numbered rows. When the DRAM enters the self-refresh mode, a starting refresh address for the self-refresh mode is detected. If the detected starting refresh address does not match with a predetermined correct address set for the self-refresh operation mode, a dummy refresh cycle will be established in an entry-burst self-refresh period. During the dummy refresh cycle, a dummy refresh command is added to increment an internal row address counter that provides row addresses for self-refreshing the cells of the selected wordlines within the cell array. | 04-23-2009 |
20090154284 | SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE SUITABLE FOR INTERCONNECTION IN A RING TOPOLOGY - A semiconductor memory device, which comprises: memory; a plurality of inputs for receiving a command latch enable signal, an address latch enable signal, an information signal and a select signal indicative of whether the memory device has been selected by a controller; a plurality of outputs for releasing a set of output signals towards a next device; control circuitry; and bypass circuitry. When the select signal is indicative of the memory device having been selected by the controller, the control circuitry is configured to interpret the information signal based on the command latch enable signal and the address latch enable signal. When the select signal is indicative of the memory device not having been selected by the controller, the bypass circuitry is configured to transfer the command latch enable signal, the address latch enable signal and the information signal to the outputs of the memory device. | 06-18-2009 |
20090164830 | NON-VOLATILE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE WITH POWER SAVING FEATURE - A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, which comprises (i) an interface having an input for receiving an input clock and a set of data lines for receiving commands issued by a controller including an erase command; (ii) a module having circuit components in a feedback loop configuration and being driven by a reference clock; (iii) a clock control circuit capable of controllably switching between a first state in which the reference clock tracks the input clock and a second state in which the reference clock is decoupled from the input clock; and (iv) a command processing unit configured to recognize the commands and to cause the clock control circuit to switch from the first state to the second state in response to recognizing the erase command. The module consumes less power when the reference clock is decoupled from the input clock than when the reference clock tracks the input clock. | 06-25-2009 |
20090185442 | MEMORY SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH SERIAL AND PARALLEL MODES - Methods and systems are provided that allow the method of access to one or more memory banks to be performed using serial access, or using parallel access. In serial mode, each link operates as an independent serial link. In contrast, during serial mode, the links operate in common as a parallel link. Where input and output controls are received independently for each link for serial mode, a single set of input and output controls is used in common by all of the links during parallel mode. | 07-23-2009 |
20090259873 | NON-VOLATILE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE WITH POWER SAVING FEATURE - A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, comprising: an interface for receiving commands issued by a controller, the commands including an erase command; a functional entity with circuit components and having a terminal; a node; switchable circuitry capable of controllably switching between a first operational state in which the terminal is electrically connected to the node and a second operational state in which the terminal is electrically decoupled from the node, the node being configured to have a signal for the functional entity communicated through it when the switchable circuitry is in the first operational state; and a command processing unit configured to recognize the commands issued by the controller and, in response to recognizing the erase command, to cause the switchable circuitry to switch from the first operational state to the second operational state. | 10-15-2009 |
20090303824 | DYNAMIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SELF-REFRESHING MEMORY CELLS - A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device having memory cells is operated in a self-refresh mode and a normal mode. A mode detector provides a self-refresh mode signal in the self-refresh mode of operation. It includes a free-running oscillator for generating an oscillation signal independent of the self-refresh mode signal. In response to the oscillation signal, a self-request controller provides a self-refresh request signal in the self-refresh mode. The self-refresh signal is asynchoronized with the self-fresh mode signal and is provided to an address circuit to select a wordline for refreshing the memory cells thereof. The self-refresh request controller includes logic circuitry for arbitrating timing between initial active edges of the oscillation signal and the self-refresh mode signal and providing the self-refresh request and ceasing it, regardless of conflict between the self-refresh mode signal and the oscillation signal upon self-refresh mode entry and exit. The DRAM devices perform and achieve reliable self-refresh for variable DRAM cell retention time. | 12-10-2009 |
20100011174 | MIXED DATA RATES IN MEMORY DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Mixed data rates in a memory system is disclosed. The system includes at least one semiconductor memory device and another device defining a ring topology. The semiconductor memory device includes input circuitry for receiving a clock signal having a frequency at least substantially equal to a frequency x. A first set of circuit elements are each clocked by a same or respective first internal signal having a frequency at least substantially equal to the frequency x. A second set of circuit elements are each clocked by a same or a respective second internal signal having a frequency at least substantially double that of the frequency x. | 01-14-2010 |
20100067278 | MASS DATA STORAGE SYSTEM WITH NON-VOLATILE MEMORY MODULES - A mass data storage system, which comprises: a controller for issuing and receiving signals to carry out memory operations; a motherboard comprising at least one first connector and providing signal pathways for establish a ring from the controller via each of the at least one first connector and back to the controller; and at least one non-volatile memory module comprising a second connector electrically connected to a chain of non-volatile memory devices, wherein mating of the second connector with a given one of the at least one first connector causes the chain of non-volatile memory devices to be inserted into the ring, thereby to allow the controller to carry out the memory operations on the non-volatile memory devices in the chain. | 03-18-2010 |
20100083027 | SERIAL-CONNECTED MEMORY SYSTEM WITH OUTPUT DELAY ADJUSTMENT - Systems and methods for performing output delay adjustment are provided for application in serial-connected devices operating as slave devices. A master device provides a clock to the first slave device, and each slave device passes the clock to the next slave device in turn, and the last slave device returns the clock to the master device. The master device compares the outgoing clock to the returned clock and determines if an output delay adjustment is needed. If so, the master device generates and outputs commands for the slave devices to perform output delay adjustment. The slave devices apply the output delay to the clock signal, but may also apply the delay to other output signals. Each of the slave devices has a circuit for performing output delay adjustment. In some implementations, each slave device is a memory device, and the master device is a memory controller. | 04-01-2010 |
20100083028 | SERIAL-CONNECTED MEMORY SYSTEM WITH DUTY CYCLE CORRECTION - Systems and methods for correcting clock duty cycle are provided for application in serial-connected devices operating as slave devices. A master device provides a clock to the first slave device, and each slave device passes the clock to the next slave device in turn, and the last slave device returns the clock to the master device. The master device compares the outgoing clock to the returned clock and determines if a duty cycle correction is needed. If so, the master device generates and outputs commands for the slave devices to perform duty cycle adjustment. Each of the slave devices has a circuit for performing duty cycle adjustment. In some implementations, each slave device is a memory device, and the master device is a memory controller. | 04-01-2010 |
20100091538 | BRIDGE DEVICE ARCHITECTURE FOR CONNECTING DISCRETE MEMORY DEVICES TO A SYSTEM - Bridge device architecture for connecting discrete memory devices is disclosed. A bridge device is used in conjunction with a composite memory device including at least one discrete memory device. The bridge device comprises a local control interface connected to the at least one discrete memory device, a local input/output interface connected to the at least one discrete memory device, and a global input/output interface interposed between the local control interface and the local input/output interface. The global input/output interface receives and provides global memory control signals and also receives and provides write data to and read data from the at least one discrete memory device. | 04-15-2010 |
20100199057 | INDEPENDENT LINK AND BANK SELECTION - Provided is a memory system that has a plurality of memory banks and a plurality of link controllers. For each memory bank, there is first switching logic for receiving output for each link controller, and for passing on the output of only one of the link controllers to the memory bank. For each link controller, there is second switching logic for receiving an output of each memory bank, and for passing on the output of only one of the memory banks to the link controller. According to an embodiment of the invention, there is switch controller logic for controlling operation of both the first switching logic and the second switching logic to prevent simultaneous or overlapping access by multiple link controllers to the same memory bank, and for preventing simultaneous or overlapping access to multiple banks by the same link controller. | 08-05-2010 |
20100202224 | MEMORY WITH DATA CONTROL - In an embodiment, a memory device comprises memory, a first data link, a first input, a second input, a second data link, a first output and a second output. The first data link is configured to input one or more packets into the memory device. The first input is configured to input command strobe signals into the memory device that delineate command packets that are input into the memory device via the first data link. The second input is configured to input data strobe signals into the memory device that delineate data packets that are input into the memory device via the first data link. The first and second outputs are configured to output the command strobe signal and data strobe signal, respectively. The second data link is configured to output packets from the memory device. | 08-12-2010 |
20100268853 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES OF A SERIAL INTERCONNECTION - A system controller communicates with devices in a serial interconnection. The system controller sends a read command, a device address identifying a target device in the serial interconnection and a memory location. The target device responds to the read command to read data in the location identified by the memory location. Read data is provided as an output signal that is transmitted from a last device in the serial interconnection to a data receiver of the controller. The data receiver establishes acquisition instants relating to clocks in consideration of a total flow-through latency in the serial interconnection. Where each device has a clock synchronizer, a propagated clock signal through the serial interconnection is used for establishing the acquisition instants. The read data is latched in response to the established acquisition instants in consideration of the flow-through latency, valid data is latched in the data receiver. | 10-21-2010 |
20110032932 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING DEVICE IDENTIFIERS FOR SERIALLY INTERCONNECTED DEVICES OF MIXED TYPE - A plurality of memory devices of mixed type (e.g., DRAMs, SRAMs, MRAMs, and NAND-, NOR- and AND-type Flash memories) are serially interconnected. Each device has device type information on its device type. A specific device type (DT) and a device identifier (ID) contained in a serial input (SI) as a packet are fed to one device of the serial interconnection. The device determines whether the fed DT matches the DT of the device. In a case of match, a calculator included in the device performs calculation to generate an ID for another device and the fed ID is latched in a register of the device. In a case of no-match, the ID generation is skipped and no ID is generated for another device. The DT is combined with the generated or the received ID depending on the device type match determination. The combined DT and ID is as a packet transferred to a next device. Such a device type match determination and ID generation or skip are performed in all devices of the serial interconnection. With reference to device type provided to the interconnected devices, IDs are sequentially generated. The SI containing the DT, the ID and an ID generation command is transmitted in a packet basis to a next device. | 02-10-2011 |
20110060934 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CLOCK SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION IN A CONFIGURATION OF SERIES-CONNECTED SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A system includes a system controller and a configuration of series-connected semiconductor devices. Such a device includes an input for receiving a clock signal originating from a previous device, and an output for providing a synchronized clock signal destined for a succeeding device. The device further includes a clock synchronizer for producing the synchronized clock signal by processing the received clock signal and an earlier version of the synchronized clock signal. The device further includes a device controller for adjusting a parameter used by the clock synchronizer in processing the earlier version of the synchronized clock signal. The system controller has an output for providing a first clock signal to a first device, and an input for receiving a second clock signal from a second device. The second clock signal corresponds to a version of the first clock signal that has undergone processing by a clock synchronizer in at least one of the devices. The system controller further includes a detector for processing the first and second clock signals to detect a phase difference therebetween; and a synchronization controller for commanding an adjustment to the clock synchronizer in at least one of the devices based on the phase difference detected by the detector. | 03-10-2011 |
20110087823 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING IDS FOR INTERCONNECTED DEVICES OF MIXED TYPE - A plurality of memory devices of mixed type (e.g., DRAMs, SRAMs, MRAMs, and NAND-, NOR-, AND-type Flash memories) are serially interconnected. Each device has device type information on its device type. A specific device type (DT) and a device identifier (ID) contained in a serial input are fed to one device of the serial interconnection configuration. The device determines whether the fed DT matches the DT of the device. In a case of match, a calculator included in the device performs calculation to generate an ID for another device and the fed ID is latched in a register of the device. The generated ID is transferred to another device of the serial interconnection. In a case of no match, the ID generation is skipped and no ID is generated for another device. Such a device type match determination and ID generation or skip are performed in all devices of the serial interconnection. | 04-14-2011 |
20110131383 | MODULAR COMMAND STRUCTURE FOR MEMORY AND MEMORY SYSTEM - A system including a memory system and a memory controller is connected to a host system. The memory system has at least one memory device storing data. The controller translates the requests from the host system to one or more separatable commands interpretable by the at least one memory device. Each command has a modular structure including an address identifier for one of the at least one memory devices and a command identifier representing an operation to be performed by the one of the at least one memory devices. The at least one memory device and the controller are in a series-connection configuration for communication such that only one memory device is in communication with the controller for input into the memory system. The memory system can include a plurality of memory devices connected to a common bus. | 06-02-2011 |
20110179245 | INDEPENDENT LINK AND BANK SELECTION - Provided is a memory system that has a plurality of memory banks and a plurality of link controllers. For each memory bank, there is first switching logic for receiving output for each link controller, and for passing on the output of only one of the link controllers to the memory bank. For each link controller, there is second switching logic for receiving an output of each memory bank, and for passing on the output of only one of the memory banks to the link controller. According to an embodiment of the invention, there is switch controller logic for controlling operation of both the first switching logic and the second switching logic to prevent simultaneous or overlapping access by multiple link controllers to the same memory bank, and for preventing simultaneous or overlapping access to multiple banks by the same link controller. | 07-21-2011 |
20110235426 | FLASH MEMORY SYSTEM HAVING A PLURALITY OF SERIALLY CONNECTED DEVICES - A semiconductor memory device and system are disclosed. The memory device includes a memory, a plurality of inputs, and a device identification register for storing register bits that distinguish the memory device from other possible memory devices. Circuitry for comparing identification bits in the information signal with the register bits provides positive or negative indication as to whether the identification bits match the register bits. If the indication is positive, then the memory device is configured to respond as having been selected by a controller. If the indication is negative, then the memory device is configured to respond as having not been selected by the controller. A plurality of outputs release a set of output signals towards a next device. | 09-29-2011 |
20110314206 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING A PAGE BUFFER OF A MEMORY DEVICE AS A TEMPORARY CACHE - An apparatus and method are provided for using a page buffer of a memory device as a temporary cache for data. A memory controller writes data to the page buffer and later reads out the data without programming the data into the memory cells of the memory device. This allows the memory controller to use the page buffer as temporary cache so that the data does not have to occupy space within the memory controller's local data storage elements. Therefore, the memory controller can use the space in its own storage elements for other operations. | 12-22-2011 |
20120066442 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PAGE BUFFER OPERATION FOR MEMORY DEVICES - Systems and methods are provided for using page buffers of memory devices connected to a memory controller through a common bus. A page buffer of a memory device is used as a temporary cache for data which is written to the memory cells of the memory device. This can allow the memory controller to use memory devices as temporary caches so that the memory controller can free up space in its own memory. | 03-15-2012 |
20120159055 | NON-VOLATILE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE WITH POWER SAVING FEATURE - A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, which comprises (i) an interface having an input for receiving an input clock and a set of data lines for receiving commands issued by a controller including an erase command; (ii) a module having circuit components in a feedback loop configuration and being driven by a reference clock; (iii) a clock control circuit capable of controllably switching between a first state in which the reference clock tracks the input clock and a second state in which the reference clock is decoupled from the input clock; and (iv) a command processing unit configured to recognize the commands and to cause the clock control circuit to switch from the first state to the second state in response to recognizing the erase command. The module consumes less power when the reference clock is decoupled from the input clock than when the reference clock tracks the input clock. | 06-21-2012 |
20130003470 | INDEPENDENT LINK AND BANK SELECTION - Provided is a memory system that has a plurality of memory banks and a plurality of link controllers. For each memory bank, there is first switching logic for receiving output for each link controller, and for passing on the output of only one of the link controllers to the memory bank. For each link controller, there is second switching logic for receiving an output of each memory bank, and for passing on the output of only one of the memory banks to the link controller. According to an embodiment of the invention, there is switch controller logic for controlling operation of both the first switching logic and the second switching logic to prevent simultaneous or overlapping access by multiple link controllers to the same memory bank, and for preventing simultaneous or overlapping access to multiple banks by the same link controller. | 01-03-2013 |
20130010563 | NON-VOLATILE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE WITH POWER-SAVING FEATURE - A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, comprising: an interface for receiving commands issued by a controller, the commands including an erase command; a functional entity with circuit components and having a terminal; a node; switchable circuitry capable of controllably switching between a first operational state in which the terminal is electrically connected to the node and a second operational state in which the terminal is electrically decoupled from the node, the node being configured to have a signal for the functional entity communicated through it when the switchable circuitry is in the first operational state; and a command processing unit configured to recognize the commands issued by the controller and, in response to recognizing the erase command, to cause the switchable circuitry to switch from the first operational state to the second operational state. | 01-10-2013 |
20130067118 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING DEVICE IDENTIFIERS FOR SERIALLY INTERCONNECTED DEVICES OF MIXED TYPE - A plurality of memory devices of mixed type (e.g., DRAMs, SRAMs, MRAMs, and NAND-, NOR- and AND-type Flash memories) are serially interconnected. Each device has device type information on its device type. A specific device type (DT) and a device identifier (ID) contained in a serial input (SI) as a packet are fed to one device of the serial interconnection. The device determines whether the fed DT matches the DT of the device. In a case of match, a calculator included in the device performs calculation to generate an ID accompanying the fed DT for another device and the fed ID is latched in a register of the device. In a case of no-match, the ID generation is skipped and no ID is generated for another device. The DT is combined with the generated or the received ID depending on the device type match determination. The combined DT and ID is as a packet transferred to a next device. Such a device type match determination and ID generation or skip are performed in all devices of the serial interconnection. With reference to device type provided to the interconnected devices, IDs are sequentially generated. The SI containing the DT, the ID and an ID generation command is transmitted in a packet basis to a next device. | 03-14-2013 |
20130170298 | SCALABLE MEMORY SYSTEM - A memory system architecture has serially connected memory devices. The memory system is scalable to include any number of memory devices without any performance degradation or complex redesign. Each memory device has a serial input/output interface for communicating between other memory devices and a memory controller. The memory controller issues commands in at least one bitstream, where the bitstream follows a modular command protocol. The command includes an operation code with optional address information and a device address, so that only the addressed memory device acts upon the command. Separate data output strobe and command input strobe signals are provided in parallel with each output data stream and input command data stream, respectively, for identifying the type of data and the length of the data. The modular command protocol is used for executing concurrent operations in each memory device to further improve performance. | 07-04-2013 |
20140173322 | PACKET DATA ID GENERATION FOR SERIALLY INTERCONNECTED DEVICES - Various memory devices (e.g., DRAMs, flash memories) are serially interconnected. The memory devices need their identifiers (IDs). Each of the memory devices generates IDs for neighboring memory devices. The IDs are generated synchronously with clock. Command data and previously generated ID data are synchronously registered. The registered data is synchronously output and provided as parallel data for calculation of a new ID for the neighboring device. The calculation is an addition or subtraction by one. The IDs are generated in a packet basis by interpreting serial packet-basis commands received at the serial input in response to clocks. A clock latency is controlled in response to the interpreted ID and the clock. In accordance with the controlled clock latency, a new ID is provided in a packet basis. In high frequency generation applications (e.g., 1 GHz), two adjacent devices connected in daisy chain fashion are guaranteed enough time margin to perform the interpretation of packet commands. | 06-19-2014 |
20140195715 | SCALABLE MEMORY SYSTEM - A memory system architecture has serially connected memory devices. The memory system is scalable to include any number of memory devices without any performance degradation or complex redesign. Each memory device has a serial input/output interface for communicating between other memory devices and a memory controller. The memory controller issues commands in at least one bitstream, where the bitstream follows a modular command protocol. The command includes an operation code with optional address information and a device address, so that only the addressed memory device acts upon the command. Separate data output strobe and command input strobe signals are provided in parallel with each output data stream and input command data stream, respectively, for identifying the type of data and the length of the data. The modular command protocol is used for executing concurrent operations in each memory device to further improve performance. | 07-10-2014 |
20150046639 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PAGE BUFFER OPERATION FOR MEMORY DEVICES - Systems and methods are provided for using page buffers of memory devices connected to a memory controller through a common bus. A page buffer of a memory device is used as a temporary cache for data which is written to the memory cells of the memory device. This can allow the memory controller to use memory devices as temporary caches so that the memory controller can free up space in its own memory. | 02-12-2015 |