System and method for selective memory module power management
First Claim
1. A memory module, the memory module comprising:
- a plurality of memory devices;
a memory hub operably coupled with the memory devices, the memory hub being configured for managing communications with the memory devices in response to memory commands received by the memory module;
an activity sensing device coupled to the memory hub, the activity sensing device being configured to monitor activity of the memory module in processing the received memory commands and to generate an output corresponding thereto; and
a module power controller coupled to the activity sensing device and being operable to direct the memory devices in the memory module to a reduced power state responsive to the output of the activity sensing device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A memory module includes a memory hub that monitors utilization of the memory module and directs devices of the memory module to a reduced power state when the module is not being used at a desired level. System utilization of the memory module is monitored by tracking system usage, manifested by read and write commands issued to the memory module, or by measuring temperature changes indicating a level of device activity beyond normal refresh activity. Alternatively, measured activity levels can be transmitted over a system bus to a centralized power management controller which, responsive to the activity level packets transmitted by remote memory modules, direct devices of those remote memory modules to a reduced power state. The centralized power management controller could be disposed on a master memory module or in a memory or system controller.
378 Citations
87 Claims
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1. A memory module, the memory module comprising:
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a plurality of memory devices; a memory hub operably coupled with the memory devices, the memory hub being configured for managing communications with the memory devices in response to memory commands received by the memory module; an activity sensing device coupled to the memory hub, the activity sensing device being configured to monitor activity of the memory module in processing the received memory commands and to generate an output corresponding thereto; and a module power controller coupled to the activity sensing device and being operable to direct the memory devices in the memory module to a reduced power state responsive to the output of the activity sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A memory system, comprising:
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a memory controller; a memory bus operably coupled with the memory controller to communicate memory commands from the memory controller and communicate memory output signals to the memory controller; and a plurality of memory modules operably coupled with the memory bus, the memory modules generating the memory output signals responsive to the memory commands, at least one of the memory modules comprising; a plurality of memory devices; a memory hub operably coupled with the memory devices and, the memory hub being configured to manage communications with the memory devices in response to memory commands received by the memory module; an activity sensing device coupled to the memory hub, the activity sensing device being configured to monitor activity of the memory module in processing memory commands and to generate an output corresponding thereto; and a module power controller coupled to the activity sensing device and being operable to direct the memory module to a reduced power state responsive to the output of the activity sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A computer system, comprising:
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a processor; an input device, operably connected to the processor; an output device, operably connected to the processor; and a memory system, operably coupled with the processor, the memory system comprising; a memory controller; a memory bus operably coupled with the memory controller to communicate memory commands from the memory controller and communicate memory output signals to the memory controller; and a plurality of memory modules operably coupled with the memory bus, the memory modules generating the memory output signals responsive to the memory commands, at least some of the memory modules comprising; a plurality of memory devices; a memory hub operably coupled with the memory devices and the processor, the memory hub being configured for managing communications between the memory devices and the processor in response to memory commands received by the memory module; an activity sensing device coupled to the memory hub, the activity sensing device being configured to monitor activity of the memory module in processing memory commands and to generate an output corresponding thereto; and a module power controller coupled to the activity sensing device and being operable to direct the memory module to a reduced power state responsive to the output of the activity sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
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75. A method of controlling power used in a plurality of memory modules associated with a system, the method comprising:
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individually measuring activity in response to memory commands from the system in a plurality of the memory modules; determining at least one memory module exceeded a predetermined power consumption; and mandating at least one idle interval after a response of the one memory module to a memory command, the act of mandating taken responsive to the determination that the one memory module exceeded the predetermined power consumption. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87)
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Specification