Interface command architecture for synchronous flash memory
First Claim
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1. A synchronous flash memory device comprising:
- an array of non-volatile memory cells; and
a command register to store command data used to control flash memory operations, wherein the command register is coupled to receive the command data through memory address connections during a load command register operating mode that is initiated using a predetermined configuration of an SDRAM column address strobe (CAS) signal, an SDRAM row address strobe (RAS) signal, and an SDRAM write enable (WE) signal such that additional, external dedicated control signals are not required to perform flash memory operations.
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Abstract
A synchronous flash memory includes an array of non-volatile memory cells. The memory device has a package configuration that is compatible with an SDRAM. The memory device comprises an array of non-volatile memory cells, and a command register to store command data used to control flash memory operations. In operation, the command register is loaded by initiating a command register load operation using a predefined combination of a column address strobe (CAS#) signal, a row address strobe (RAS#) signal, and a write enable (WE#) signal.
41 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A synchronous flash memory device comprising:
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an array of non-volatile memory cells; and
a command register to store command data used to control flash memory operations, wherein the command register is coupled to receive the command data through memory address connections during a load command register operating mode that is initiated using a predetermined configuration of an SDRAM column address strobe (CAS) signal, an SDRAM row address strobe (RAS) signal, and an SDRAM write enable (WE) signal such that additional, external dedicated control signals are not required to perform flash memory operations. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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2. (canceled)
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5. A synchronous flash memory device comprising:
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an array of non-volatile memory cells arranged in addressable blocks;
external address connections to receive externally provided address data;
a status register to store memory device status data;
a mode register to store mode data used to set a mode of the synchronous flash memory device; and
a command register, coupled to an external SDRAM column address strobe (CAS) signal, row address strobe (RAS) signal, and write enable (WE) signal, to store command data used to control flash memory operations, wherein the command register is coupled to receive the command data through the external memory address connections in response to a load command that is a predefined configuration of the CAS, the RAS, and the WE signals such that additional, external dedicated control signals are not required to perform flash memory operations. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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6. (canceled)
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10. A synchronous flash memory device comprising:
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an array of non-volatile memory cells; and
a command register, coupled to an external SDRAM column address strobe signal (CAS), row address strobe signal (RAS) and write enable signal (WE), to store data commands used to control flash memory operations, wherein the command register is coupled to receive the command data in response to a load command that is equivalent to a refresh command of a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) configuration of the CAS, the RAS, and the WE such that additional, external dedicated control signals are not required to perform flash memory operations.
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11. (canceled)
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12. A synchronous data system comprising:
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a memory controller coupled to external memory address connections; and
a synchronous flash memory device coupled to the memory controller and SDRAM column address strobe (CAS), row address strobe (RAS), and write enable (WE) signals, the device comprising, an array of non-volatile memory cells, and a command register to store data commands provided by the memory controller over the memory address connections and used to control flash memory operations in response to a load command that is equivalent to an SDRAM refresh command configuration of the CAS, the RAS, and the WE such that additional, external dedicated control signals are not required to perform flash memory operations. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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- 13. (canceled)
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17. A method of providing commands in a synchronous flash memory, the method comprising:
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initiating a command register load operation using a predefined combination of a column address strobe (CAS#) signal, a row address strobe (RAS#) signal, and a write enable (WE#) signal; and
loading command data into the command register using address connections of the synchronous flash memory in response to the command register load operation such that additional external dedicated control signals are not required to perform flash memory operations. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of operating a synchronous flash memory, the method comprising:
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initiating a command register load operation using a predefined combination of an asserted column address strobe (CAS#) signal, an asserted row address strobe (RAS#) signal, and a deasserted write enable (WE#) signal; and
loading command data into the command register using address connections of the synchronous flash memory in response to the command register load operation so that additional, external dedicated control signals are not required to perform flash memory operations; and
performing a memory operation in response to the command data. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification