Using a processor to program a semiconductor memory

• US 7,594,065 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Marvell International Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Mueller, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Kevin L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Farrokh; Hashem
• Application Number:
  US11/486,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20060259653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 711/103, 365/185.01
• US Class Current: 711/103
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/102 External programming circuits, e.g. EPROM programmers; In-circuit programming or reprogramming; EPROM emulators

Abstract

A memory programmer may be coupled through a first processor and a physical interface to a semiconductor memory to be programmed. The interface may be the same interface that allows two separate processors in a multiprocessor memory to communicate with one another in one embodiment. Thus, an independent memory bus coupled directly to the memory components to be programmed may be eliminated, reducing form factor, decreasing costs, and increasing manufacturing throughput in some embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of programming a semiconductor memory comprising:

transferring programming data from a memory programmer to a processor at a first data rate;

storing the transferred programming data in a buffer; and

transferring the programming data from the buffer to the semiconductor memory to be programmed at a second data rate, wherein the second data rate is different from the first data rate.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the data is transferred from the memory programmer across a physical interface to an integrated circuit including the processor.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the programming data is buffered on said integrated circuit including said processor.

4. The method of claim 2 including enabling said processor to buffer said programming data.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the programming data is stored in a non-volatile buffer storage and subsequently transferred from said buffer storage to said memory to be programmed.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second data rate is a slower rate than the first data rate.

7. The method of claim 1 including transferring the data from a first integrated circuit including said processor to a second integrated circuit including said semiconductor memory to be programmed.

8. The method of claim 1 including transferring the data from the memory programmer to said processor using a board to receive a large number of memories to be programmed, said memories being coupled to the processor to receive the data to be programmed.

9. The method of claim 8 including programming the memory after the data has been transferred from said memory programmer and buffered.

10. The method of claim 9 including successively transferring data to a number of memories to be programmed, maintaining power to said memories and programming said memories using said processor after said data has been buffered.

11. A system comprising:

a processor to buffer memory programming data received from a serial link; and

a memory to be programmed by the processor using the programming data, wherein

the serial link transfers data at a rate different than the rate at which the memory is programmed.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said memory is a flash memory.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said memory includes a stack of integrated circuit chips.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said memory is packaged separately from said processor and said system including a permanent connection to connect said memory and processor packages.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein said serial link to transfer data at a rate higher than the rate at which said memory may be programmed.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein said processor stores software to buffer data received from a memory programmer at a first rate and provides the data to the memory to be programmed at a second rate.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein said processor is an application processor.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein said system is a mobile embedded system.