Drift tracking feedback for communication channels
First Claim
1. A method for calibrating a system including a memory controller, a memory device, a first link coupling the memory controller and the memory device and a second link coupled to at least the memory controller, comprising:
- establishing an operation value of a parameter affecting operation of the first link using a first calibration sequence, wherein the first calibration sequence comprises transmitting data patterns from the memory controller to the memory device via the first link;
operating the first link using the operation value for communication of data;
monitoring drift of a signal on the second link during said operation of the first link, the signal having a characteristic which drifts by amounts that correlate with drift of the parameter, and providing a drift value; and
adjusting the operation value of the parameter based on the drift value.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication channel includes a first component having a transmitter coupled to a normal signal source, and a second component having a receiver coupled to a normal signal destination. A communication link couples the first and second components. Calibration logic provides for setting an operation value for a parameter of the communication channel, such as by executing an exhaustive calibration sequence at initialization of the link. A tracking circuit, including a monitoring function, tracks drift in the parameter by monitoring a feedback signal that has a characteristic that correlates with drift in the communication channel, and updates, or indicates the need for updating of, the operation value of the parameter in response to the monitoring function.
99 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for calibrating a system including a memory controller, a memory device, a first link coupling the memory controller and the memory device and a second link coupled to at least the memory controller, comprising:
-
establishing an operation value of a parameter affecting operation of the first link using a first calibration sequence, wherein the first calibration sequence comprises transmitting data patterns from the memory controller to the memory device via the first link; operating the first link using the operation value for communication of data; monitoring drift of a signal on the second link during said operation of the first link, the signal having a characteristic which drifts by amounts that correlate with drift of the parameter, and providing a drift value; and adjusting the operation value of the parameter based on the drift value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for calibrating a system including a memory controller, a memory device, a first link coupling the memory controller and the memory device and a second link coupled to at least the memory controller, comprising:
-
establishing an operation value of a parameter affecting operation of the first link using a first calibration sequence, wherein the first calibration sequence comprises transmitting data patterns from the memory controller to the memory device via the first link; operating the first link using the operation value for communication of data; monitoring drift of a signal on the second link during said operation of the first link, the signal having a characteristic which drifts by amounts that correlate with drift of the parameter; and generating an indication when the drift of the monitored signal reaches a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification