Communication channel calibration for drift conditions
First Claim
1. A method of operation in a memory system, the system comprising a memory device coupled to a memory controller via a link, the method comprising:
- communicating data between the memory device and the memory controller via the link in accordance with a timing parameter having a first setting; and
periodically calibrating the timing parameter by;
suspending data transfer between the memory device and the memory controller;
changing the first setting to a calibration setting;
transmitting a calibration pattern between the memory device and the memory controller in accordance with the calibration setting;
receiving the calibration pattern at the memory component;
comparing the received calibration pattern at the memory component to an expected calibration pattern;
modifying the calibration setting based on the comparison to establish a second setting; and
resuming data communication between the memory device and the memory controller using the second setting.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system provides for execution of calibration cycles from time to time during normal operation of the communication channel. A calibration cycle includes de-coupling the normal data source from the transmitter and supplying a calibration pattern in its place. The calibration pattern is received from the communication link using the receiver on the second component. A calibrated value of a parameter of the communication channel is determined in response to the received calibration pattern. The steps involved in calibration cycles can be reordered to account for utilization patterns of the communication channel. For bidirectional links, calibration cycles are executed which include the step of storing received calibration patterns on the second component, and retransmitting such calibration patterns back to the first component for use in adjusting parameters of the channel at first component.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of operation in a memory system, the system comprising a memory device coupled to a memory controller via a link, the method comprising:
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communicating data between the memory device and the memory controller via the link in accordance with a timing parameter having a first setting; and periodically calibrating the timing parameter by; suspending data transfer between the memory device and the memory controller; changing the first setting to a calibration setting; transmitting a calibration pattern between the memory device and the memory controller in accordance with the calibration setting; receiving the calibration pattern at the memory component; comparing the received calibration pattern at the memory component to an expected calibration pattern; modifying the calibration setting based on the comparison to establish a second setting; and resuming data communication between the memory device and the memory controller using the second setting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An integrated circuit comprising:
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a receiver adapted to receive data on a communication channel from a data source; addressable storage; sense amplifiers for reading the addressable storage; calibration pattern storage circuitry adapted to store a multibit calibration pattern received from the communication channel for a period of time at least long enough to allow the data source to send the multibit calibration pattern; and circuitry to process the stored multibit calibration pattern with reference to an expected pattern to calibrate a parameter of the communication channel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification