Memory initialization circuit

• US 4,236,207 A
• Filed: 10/25/1978
• Issued: 11/25/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Rado, Peter J., Durvasula, Srirama S., Angell, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zache, Raulfe B.
• Application Number:
  US05/954,550
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 365/220, 365/230, 365/238
• US Class Current: 711/166
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1008 in individual solid state devices G06F11/1004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1076 Parity data used in redundant arrays of independent storages, e.g. in RAID systems
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/24 using capacitors G11C11/22 takes precedence; using a combination of semiconductor devices and capacitors G11C11/34, e.g. G11C11/40
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/406 Management or control of the refreshing or charge-regeneration cycles

Abstract

An initialization circuit for a dynamic memory element in a data processing system. The dynamic memory element comprises plural storage modules and a refreshing cycle counter that addresses individual storage locations in said modules in sequence. Address decoding circuitry normally enables a transfer with only one storage module at a time. During initialization, however, the initialization circuit forces the address decoding circuitry to identify all storage modules simultaneously and forces a data circuit to transmit a known value to the dynamic memory. All modules are thereby loaded in parallel with corresponding storage locations in each module being selected by the refreshing cycle counter.

Claims

1. A memory array means for connection in a memory system wherein the memory system includes controller means for generating a sequence of address signals, predetermined data signals, a write control signal and an initialization control signal, said memory array means being connected to the controller means and comprising:

A. a plurality of memory module means, each said memory module means including;

i. a plurality of addressable storage locations,

ii. addressing means for selecting one of said storage locations in response to first address signals from the controller means,

iii. control means for controlling the transfer functions within said storage locations, and

iv. data transfer means for transferring data to and from the storage location selected by said addressing means in response to said control means,

B. transfer means for selectively establishing data paths between the controller means and said storage locations in all said memory module means, and

C. module selection means connected to said transfer means and said memory module means for selectively enabling one of said control means in said memory module means to transfer data in response to second address signals from said controller means for setting all storage locations in said memory array means to predetermined values including;

i. first means connected to said transfer means for establishing a data path from said transfer means to all said memory module means in parallel in response to the initialization control signal from

ii. second means connected to said transfer means to receive said initialization control signal and further connected to said control means in each said memory module for selecting all said memory modules in parallel to respond to the second address signals from the controller means thereby to transfer a predetermined data into all said modules in parallel.

2. A memory array means as recited in claim 1 wherein said transfer means includes driver means and receiver means and the information in said storage locations includes data and error check codes, said receiver means being selected in response to the initialization control signal for transferring both data and error correction codes to said module means.

3. A memory array means as recited in claim 1 wherein said module selection means includes address decoding means and means responsive to the initialization control signal for enabling a plurality of writing signal gating means to generate writing enabling signals to each said module means in each said module means thereby to initiate a writing operation.

4. A memory system for connection to a data processing system wherein said memory system comprises:

A. at least one memory array means including;

i. plural memory module means each including;

a. a plurality of storage locations,

b. addressing means for selecting one of said storage locations in response to first address signals,

c. control means for controlling the transfer functions within said storage locations, and

d. data transfer means for transferring data to and from said storage locations,

ii. module selection means connected to said transfer means and to said memory module means for selectively enabling one of said control means in said memory module means to transfer data in response to second address signals, and

iii. initialization circuit means for receiving an initialization signal for setting all storage locations in all said storage modules to predetermined data values, said initialization circuit means including;

a. first means connected to said transfer means for establishing a data path from said data transfer means to all said memory module means in response to the initialization signal, and

b. second means connected to said module means and to said control means in each said memory module for enabling all said storage means in all said module means in parallel simultaneously in response to the initialization signal thereby to transfer predetermined data signals into said locations,

B. controller means connecting said memory array means to the data processing system and including;

i. counter means for generating the first address signals in sequence, and

ii. initialization cycle control means responsive to the energization of said memory elements for clearing said counter means and generating the initialization signal to enable said initialization circuit means in each said memory array means,

C. data path means for connecting said memory module means to said data processing system and being responsive to the initialization signal for generating the predetermined data signals, and

D. transfer means for selectively establishing data paths between the controller means and said storage locations in all said memory module means.

5. A memory system as recited in claim 4 wherein said control means includes circuit means connected to said counting means and to said initialization cycle control means for causing all said memory locations in said system to be addressed twice, and means responsive to the completion of the second address cycle for terminating the initialization cycle.

6. A memory system as recited in claim 4 wherein said data path means additionally comprises means for generating error correction codes in response to signals on the data path means and each said memory array including means for conveying the error codes and the data signals to the memory modules.