WIRELESSLY CONFIGURABLE MEMORY DEVICE

• US 20080320250A1
• Filed: 08/30/2008
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rofougaran, Ahmadreza (Reza), Markison, Timothy W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,175,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/154
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/6508 Automatic supply devices interacting with the rest of the apparatus, e.g. selection of a specific cassette matching the image with the size of the copy material G03G15/5095
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/6558 Feeding path after the copy sheet preparation and up to the transfer point, e.g. registering; Deskewing; Correct timing of sheet feeding to the transfer point
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0223 User address space allocation, e.g. contiguous or non contiguous base addressing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0646 Configuration or reconfiguration
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/04 Supports for storage elements , e.g. memory modules; Mounting or fixing of storage elements on such supports
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/20 Memory cell initialisation circuits, e.g. when powering up or down, memory clear, latent image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A configurable memory includes an interface section, a plurality of memory modules, and an internal configuration section. The interface section includes a millimeter wave (MMW) transceiver and interfaces with one or more external components. Each the plurality of memory modules includes a memory MMW transceiver and a plurality of memory cells. The internal configuration section includes a memory management unit and a memory management MMW transceiver. The memory management unit is operable to determine configuration of at least some of the plurality of memory modules to form a memory block, identify an interface MMW transceiver to provide a wireless link to the memory block, and generate a configuration signal based on the determined configuration and the identified interface MMW transceiver. The memory management MMW transmits the MMW configuration signal to the identified interface MMW transceiver and the MMW transceivers of the memory modules.

Claims

1. A configurable memory comprises:

an interface section that includes one or more millimeter wave (MMW) transceivers, wherein the interface section is operable to interface with one or more external components;

a plurality of memory modules, wherein each of the plurality of memory modules includes a memory MMW transceiver and a plurality of memory cells; and

an internal configuration section that includes a memory management unit and a memory management MMW transceiver, wherein the memory management unit is operable to;

determine configuration of at least some of the plurality of memory modules to form a memory block;

identify an interface MMW transceiver of the one or more interface MMW transceivers to produce an identified interface MMW transceiver, which provides a wireless link to the memory block; and

generate a configuration signal based on the determined configuration and the identified interface MMW transceiver; and

wherein the memory management MMW transceiver is operable to;

convert the configuration signal into a MMW configuration signal; and

transmit the MMW configuration signal to at least one of the identified interface MMW transceiver and the MMW transceivers of the at least some of the plurality of memory modules.

2. The configurable memory of claim 1, wherein the memory management unit determines the configuration of the at least some of the plurality of memory modules by:

receiving a configuration command that defines size and data format of the memory block;

determining a number of memory modules based on the size;

allocating the at least some of the plurality of memory modules in accordance with the number of memory modules; and

determining arrangement of the at least some of the plurality of memory modules based on the size and the data format.

3. The configurable memory of claim 1, wherein the memory management unit determines the configuration of the at least some of the plurality of memory modules by:

receiving a write request;

determining size of data to be written based on the write request;

determining a number of memory modules based on the size of data; and

allocating the at least some of the plurality of memory modules in accordance with the number of memory modules.

4. The configurable memory of claim 1, wherein the one or more interface MMW transceivers comprises:

a plurality of interface MMW transceivers, wherein the memory management unit identifies the interface MMW transceiver based on identity of the one or more external components.

5. The configurable memory of claim 1, wherein a memory module of the at some of the plurality of memory modules comprises:

the plurality of memory cells arranged in a row; and

the memory MMW transceiver including a baseband processing module and a MMW front end, wherein the MMW front end functions to;

receive a MMW memory access signal from the interface MMW transceiver;

convert the MMW memory access signal into a baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

convert a baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream into a MMW memory response signal; and

transmit the MMW memory response signal to the interface MMW transceiver; and

the baseband processing module functions to;

recover a memory access request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

coordinate execution of the memory access request with the plurality of memory cells;

generate a memory execution response when required; and

convert the memory execution response into the baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream.

6. The configurable memory of claim 1, wherein a memory module of the at some of the plurality of memory modules comprises:

the plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows; and

the memory MMW transceiver including a baseband processing module and a MMW front end, wherein the MMW front end functions to;

receive a MMW memory access signal from the interface MMW transceiver;

convert the MMW memory access signal into a baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

convert a baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream into a MMW memory response signal; and

transmit the MMW memory response signal to the interface MMW transceiver; and

the baseband processing module functions to;

recover a memory access request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

coordinate execution of the memory access request with the plurality of memory cells;

generate a memory execution response when required; and

convert the memory execution response into the baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream.

7. The configurable memory of claim 1, wherein a memory module of the at some of the plurality of memory modules comprises:

the plurality of memory cells arranged in an array; and

the memory MMW transceiver including a baseband processing module and a MMW front end, wherein the MMW front end functions to;

receive a MMW memory access signal from the interface MMW transceiver;

convert the MMW memory access signal into a baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

convert a baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream into a MMW memory response signal; and

transmit the MMW memory response signal to the interface MMW transceiver; and

the baseband processing module functions to;

recover a memory access request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

coordinate execution of the memory access request with the plurality of memory cells;

generate a memory execution response when required; and

convert the memory execution response into the baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream.

8. The configurable memory of claim 1, wherein a memory module of the at some of the plurality of memory modules comprises:

the plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows; and

the memory MMW transceiver including a baseband processing module and a plurality of MMW front ends, wherein a MMW front end of the plurality of MMW front ends functions to;

receive a MMW memory access signal from the interface MMW transceiver for a corresponding row of the plurality of rows;

convert the MMW memory access signal into a baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

convert a baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream into a MMW memory response signal; and

transmit the MMW memory response signal to the interface MMW transceiver; and

the baseband processing module functions to;

recover a memory access request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

coordinate execution of the memory access request with the corresponding row of the plurality of rows;

generate a memory execution response when required; and

convert the memory execution response into the baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream.

9. The configurable memory of claim 1 further comprises:

a die that supports the interface section, the plurality of memory modules, and the internal configuration section; and

a package substrate that supports the die.

10. The configurable memory of claim 9 further comprises:

millimeter wave shielding proximal to the die and the package substrate.

11. A configurable memory device comprises:

an array of memory cells having a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of word lines; and

a millimeter wave (MMW) transceiver coupled to the array, wherein the MMW transceiver includes a baseband processing module and a MMW front-end, wherein the MMW front-end functions to;

receive a MMW memory access signal;

convert the MMW memory access signal into a baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

the baseband processing module functions to;

recover a memory access request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

access the array via the plurality of bit lines and the plurality of word lines in accordance with the memory access request.

12. The configurable memory device of claim 11 further comprises:

the baseband processing module further functions to;

recover, as the memory access request, a memory read request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

access the array via the plurality of bit lines and the plurality of word lines in accordance with the memory access request;

receive retrieved data from the array in accordance with the memory read request; and

convert the retrieved data into the baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream; and

wherein the MMW transceiver further functions to;

convert a baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream into a MMW retrieved data signal; and

transmit the MMW retrieved data signal.

13. The configurable memory device of claim 11 further comprises:

the baseband processing module further functions to;

recover, as the memory access request, a memory write request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream, wherein the memory write request includes data to be stored;

determine location within the array to store the data based on the memory write request; and

provide the data to the location within the array via corresponding bit lines of the plurality of bit lines and corresponding word lines of the plurality of word lines.

14. The configurable memory device of claim 11, wherein the array comprises:

a multiplexer coupled to the plurality of bit lines;

a sense amplifier coupled to an output of the multiplexer; and

a latch coupled to an output of the sense amplifier.

15. The configurable memory device of claim 11, wherein the baseband processing module comprises:

a multiplexer coupled to the plurality of bit lines;

a sense amplifier coupled to an output of the multiplexer; and

a latch coupled to an output of the sense amplifier.

16. The configurable memory device of claim 11 further comprises:

a second array of memory cells having a second plurality of bit lines and a second plurality of word lines; and

a second MMW transceiver coupled to the second array, wherein the second MMW transceiver includes a second baseband processing module and a second MMW front-end, wherein the second MMW front-end functions to;

receive a second MMW memory access signal;

convert the second MMW memory access signal into a second baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

the second baseband processing module functions to;

recover a second memory access request from the second baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

access the second array via the second plurality of bit lines and the second plurality of word lines in accordance with the second memory access request.

17. The configurable memory device of claim 11 further comprises:

a second array of memory cells having a second plurality of bit lines and a second plurality of word lines;

wherein the MMW transceiver further functions to;

receive a second MMW memory access signal;

convert the second MMW memory access signal into a second baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

the second baseband processing module functions to;

recover a second memory access request from the second baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

access the second array via the second plurality of bit lines and the second plurality of word lines in accordance with the second memory access request.

18. A configurable memory device comprises:

a plurality of memory lines; and

a millimeter wave (MMW) transceiver coupled to the plurality of memory lines, wherein the MMW transceiver includes a baseband processing module and a MMW front-end, wherein the MMW front-end functions to;

receive a MMW memory access signal;

convert the MMW memory access signal into a baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

the baseband processing module functions to;

recover a memory access request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

access at least one of the plurality of memory lines in accordance with the memory access request.

19. The configurable memory device of claim 18 further comprises:

the baseband processing module further functions to;

recover, as the memory access request, a memory read request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

access the at least one of the plurality of memory lines in accordance with the memory access request;

receive retrieved data from the at least one of the plurality of memory lines in accordance with the memory read request; and

convert the retrieved data into the baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream; and

wherein the MMW transceiver further functions to;

convert a baseband or near baseband outbound symbol stream into a MMW retrieved data signal; and

transmit the MMW retrieved data signal.

20. The configurable memory device of claim 18 further comprises:

the baseband processing module further functions to;

recover, as the memory access request, a memory write request from the baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream, wherein the memory write request includes data to be stored;

determine the at least one of the plurality of memory lines based on the memory write request; and

provide the data to the at least one of the plurality of memory lines.

21. The configurable memory device of claim 18, wherein the baseband processing module comprises:

a sense amplifier coupled to the plurality of memory lines; and

a latch coupled to an output of the sense amplifier.

22. The configurable memory device of claim 18 further comprises:

a second plurality of memory lines; and

a second MMW transceiver coupled to the second plurality of memory lines, wherein the second MMW transceiver includes a second baseband processing module and a second MMW front-end, wherein the second MMW front-end functions to;

receive a second MMW memory access signal;

convert the second MMW memory access signal into a second baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

the second baseband processing module functions to;

recover a second memory access request from the second baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

access the second plurality of memory lines in accordance with the second memory access request.

23. The configurable memory device of claim 18 further comprises:

a second plurality of memory lines;

wherein the MMW transceiver further functions to;

receive a second MMW memory access signal;

convert the second MMW memory access signal into a second baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

the second baseband processing module functions to;

recover a second memory access request from the second baseband or near baseband inbound symbol stream;

access the second plurality of memory lines in accordance with the second memory access request.