Memory circuit simulation with power saving capabilities
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A memory apparatus for use with a host system, the memory apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of physical memory circuits;
a component coupled to the plurality of physical memory circuits and couplable to the host system to provide an interface between the host system and the plurality of physical memory circuits, wherein the component is operable to;
provide to the host system an interface to a simulated memory circuit that differs in at least one aspect from a corresponding aspect of at least one of the plurality of physical memory circuits; and
for each physical memory circuit of the plurality of physical memory circuits coupled to the component, (1) determine whether the physical memory circuit is being accessed, and (2) perform a power-saving operation on the physical memory circuit, subsequent to determining that the physical memory circuit is not being accessed, to reduce a power dissipation of the physical memory circuit,wherein the plurality of physical memory circuits comprises a first number (P) of physical memory circuits, and the memory apparatus is operable such that a second number (N) of physical memory circuits is continuously subjected to the power-saving operation, wherein N<
P.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided including a component in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The component is operable to interface the memory circuits an the system for simulating at least one memory circuit with at least one aspect that is different from at least one aspect of at least one of the plurality of memory circuits. The component is further operable to perform a power saving operation.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A memory apparatus for use with a host system, the memory apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of physical memory circuits; a component coupled to the plurality of physical memory circuits and couplable to the host system to provide an interface between the host system and the plurality of physical memory circuits, wherein the component is operable to; provide to the host system an interface to a simulated memory circuit that differs in at least one aspect from a corresponding aspect of at least one of the plurality of physical memory circuits; and for each physical memory circuit of the plurality of physical memory circuits coupled to the component, (1) determine whether the physical memory circuit is being accessed, and (2) perform a power-saving operation on the physical memory circuit, subsequent to determining that the physical memory circuit is not being accessed, to reduce a power dissipation of the physical memory circuit, wherein the plurality of physical memory circuits comprises a first number (P) of physical memory circuits, and the memory apparatus is operable such that a second number (N) of physical memory circuits is continuously subjected to the power-saving operation, wherein N<
P. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A memory apparatus for use with a host system, the memory apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of physical memory circuits; and a component coupled to the plurality of physical memory circuits and couplable to the host system to provide an interface between the host system and the plurality of physical memory circuits, wherein the component is operable to provide to the host system an interface to a simulated memory circuit that differs in at least one aspect of at least one of the plurality of physical memory circuits, wherein the component is further operable to perform a power-saving operation on at least a portion of the plurality of physical memory circuits, wherein the plurality of physical memory circuits comprises a first number (P) of the plurality of physical memory circuits, and the memory apparatus is operable such that a second number (N) of the plurality of physical memory circuits is continuously subjected to the power-saving operation, and wherein N<
P. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A memory apparatus for use with an electronic host system, the memory apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of physical monolithic memory circuits; and a component separate from the host system and from the physical memory circuits, the component being operable to communicate electrical signals between the plurality of physical memory circuits and the host system, wherein the component is further operable to; interface the plurality of physical memory circuits and the host system for simulating at least one memory circuit having a first aspect that is different than a second corresponding aspect of at least one physical memory circuit of the plurality of physical memory circuits; and for each physical memory circuit of the plurality of physical memory circuits, (1) determine whether the physical memory circuit is being accessed, and (2) perform a power-saving operation upon the physical memory circuit, subsequent to determining that the physical memory circuit is not being accessed, to reduce a power dissipation of the physical memory circuit that is not being accessed. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A memory apparatus for use with a host system, the memory apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of physical memory circuits; and a memory controller operable to communicate with the plurality of physical memory circuits and couplable to the host system, wherein the memory controller is operable to; simulate a memory circuit having at least one aspect that is different from at least one corresponding aspect of at least one physical memory circuit of the plurality of physical memory circuits; and for each physical memory circuit of the plurality of physical memory circuits, (1) determine whether the physical memory circuit is being accessed, and (2) perform a power-saving operation upon the physical memory circuit, subsequent to determining that the physical memory circuit is not being accessed, to reduce a power dissipation of the physical memory circuit that is not being accessed, wherein the plurality of physical memory circuits comprises a first number (P) of physical memory circuits, and the memory apparatus is operable such that a second number (N) of physical memory circuits is continuously subjected to the power-saving operation, wherein N<
P. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A memory apparatus for use with a host system, the memory apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of physical monolithic memory circuits; an advanced memory buffer separate from the host system and from the physical memory circuits, the advanced memory buffer being operable to communicate electrical signals between the plurality of physical memory circuits and the host system, wherein the advanced memory buffer is further operable to; provide to the host system an interface to a simulated memory circuit, wherein the simulated memory circuit differs from the plurality of physical memory circuits in at least one aspect; and or each physical memory circuit, (1) determine whether the physical memory circuit is being accessed, and (2) perform a power-saving operation upon the physical memory circuit, subsequent to determining that the physical memory circuit is not being accessed, during a time difference provided by the at least one aspect to reduce a power dissipation of the physical memory circuit. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification