Upgradable memory system with reconfigurable interconnect
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a. a motherboard including;
i. a first electrical receptacle;
ii. a first set of signal lines coupled to the first electrical receptacle;
iii. a second electrical receptacle;
iv. a second set of signal lines coupled to the second electrical receptacle; and
b. at least one of a first module and a second module;
c. the motherboard supporting two configurations, including;
i. a single-module configuration in which the first module is inserted into the first electrical receptacle and the second electrical receptacle lacks the second module, wherein the first module is coupled, via the first electrical receptacle, to the first and second sets of signal lines and is receiving first data of a first width transferred to the first electrical receptacle via the first and second sets of signal lines; and
ii. a dual-module configuration in which the first module is inserted into the first electrical receptacle and the second module is inserted into the second electrical receptacle, wherein the first module is coupled, via the first electrical receptacle, to the first set of signal lines and is receiving second data of a second width transferred to the first electrical receptacle via the first set of signal lines and the second module is coupled, via the second electrical receptacle, to the second set of signal lines and is receiving third data transferred to the second electrical receptacle via the second set of signal lines.
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Abstract
Described are systems that employ configurable on-die termination elements that allow users to select from two or more termination topologies. One topology is programmable to support rail-to-rail or half-supply termination. Another topology selectively includes fixed or variable filter elements, thereby allowing the termination characteristics to be tuned for different levels of speed performance and power consumption. Termination voltages and impedances might also be adjusted.
57 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a. a motherboard including;
i. a first electrical receptacle;
ii. a first set of signal lines coupled to the first electrical receptacle;
iii. a second electrical receptacle;
iv. a second set of signal lines coupled to the second electrical receptacle; and
b. at least one of a first module and a second module;
c. the motherboard supporting two configurations, including;
i. a single-module configuration in which the first module is inserted into the first electrical receptacle and the second electrical receptacle lacks the second module, wherein the first module is coupled, via the first electrical receptacle, to the first and second sets of signal lines and is receiving first data of a first width transferred to the first electrical receptacle via the first and second sets of signal lines; and
ii. a dual-module configuration in which the first module is inserted into the first electrical receptacle and the second module is inserted into the second electrical receptacle, wherein the first module is coupled, via the first electrical receptacle, to the first set of signal lines and is receiving second data of a second width transferred to the first electrical receptacle via the first set of signal lines and the second module is coupled, via the second electrical receptacle, to the second set of signal lines and is receiving third data transferred to the second electrical receptacle via the second set of signal lines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
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a. at least one of a first module and a second module;
b. a motherboard including;
i. first and second electrical receptacles adapted to receive respective first and second modules;
ii. a first set of signal lines extending to the first electrical receptacle;
iii. a second set of signal lines extending to the second electrical receptacle;
iv. means for supporting a single-module configuration in which the first module is inserted into the first electrical receptacle and is coupled to the first and second sets of signal lines and is receiving first data of a first width transferred to the first electrical receptacle via the first and second sets of signal lines; and
v. means for supporting a dual-module configuration in which the first module is inserted into the first electrical receptacle and the second module is inserted into the second electrical receptacle, wherein the first module is coupled to the first set of signal lines and is receiving second data of a second width transferred to the first electrical receptacle via the first set of signal lines and the second module is coupled to the second set of signal lines and is receiving third data transferred to the second electrical receptacle via the second set of signal lines. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A configurable memory system comprising:
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a. a memory controller;
b. at least one electrical connector adapted to receive a plurality of memory modules, including a first memory module and a second memory module;
c. a first set of signal lines extending between the memory controller and the at least one electrical connector;
d. a second set of signal lines extending between the memory controller and the at least one electrical connector;
e. the memory system supporting a plurality of memory configurations, including;
a first memory configuration in which the first memory module is in physical contact with the at least one electrical connector and coupled to the memory controller via the first and second sets of signal lines; and
ii. a second memory configuration in which the first memory module is in physical contact with the at least one electrical connector and coupled to the memory controller via the first set of signal lines and the second memory module is in physical contact with the at least one electrical connector and coupled to the memory controller via the second set of signal lines. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification