Method and apparatus for indicating mask information
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the apparatus comprising:
- an interface to transmit;
over a first plurality of wires, to the DRAM;
a first code to indicate that first data is to be written to the DRAM, wherein the first code is to be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of an external clock signal received by the DRAM;
a column address to indicate a column location of a memory core in the DRAM where the first data is to be written, wherein the column address is to be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal;
a second code to indicate whether mask information for the first data will be sent to the DRAM, the second code being sent over a subset of wires of the first plurality of wires, wherein;
the mask information indicates whether certain portions of the first data is to be transmitted to the DRAM; and
if the second code indicates that mask information will be sent, a portion of the column address and a portion of the mask information are sent over the subset of wires after the second code is sent over the subset of wires, wherein the mask information is to be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; and
over a second plurality of wires separate from the first plurality of wires, to the DRAM, the first data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the apparatus comprising an interface to transmit, over a first plurality of wires, to the DRAM a first code to indicate that first data is to be written to the DRAM and a column address to indicate a column location of a memory core in the DRAM where the first data is to be written. The interface is further to transmit a second code to indicate whether mask information for the first data will be sent to the DRAM. If the second code indicates that mask information will be sent, a portion of the column address and a portion of the mask information are sent after the second code is sent. The interface is further to transmit to the DRAM, over a second plurality of wires separate from the first plurality of wires, the first data.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the apparatus comprising:
an interface to transmit; over a first plurality of wires, to the DRAM; a first code to indicate that first data is to be written to the DRAM, wherein the first code is to be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of an external clock signal received by the DRAM; a column address to indicate a column location of a memory core in the DRAM where the first data is to be written, wherein the column address is to be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; a second code to indicate whether mask information for the first data will be sent to the DRAM, the second code being sent over a subset of wires of the first plurality of wires, wherein; the mask information indicates whether certain portions of the first data is to be transmitted to the DRAM; and if the second code indicates that mask information will be sent, a portion of the column address and a portion of the mask information are sent over the subset of wires after the second code is sent over the subset of wires, wherein the mask information is to be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; and over a second plurality of wires separate from the first plurality of wires, to the DRAM, the first data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, comprising:
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clock circuitry for receiving an external clock signal; a first interface to receive; a first code to indicate that first data is to be written to the DRAM, wherein the first code is registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; a column address to indicate a column location of a memory core in the DRAM where the first data is to be written, wherein the column address is registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; a second code to indicate whether mask information for the first data will be sent to the DRAM, the second code being sent over a subset of wires of the first plurality of wires, wherein; the mask information indicates whether certain portions of the first data is transmitted to the DRAM; and if the second code indicates that mask information will be sent, a portion of the column address and a portion of the mask information are received over the subset of wires after the second code is received over the subset of wires, wherein the mask information be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; and a second interface, separate from the first interface, to receive the first data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operation of an apparatus that controls a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the method comprising:
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over a first plurality of wires; transmitting, to the DRAM, a first code to indicate that first data is to be written to the DRAM, wherein the first code is to be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of an external clock signal received by the DRAM; transmitting, to the DRAM, a column address to indicate a column location of a memory core in the DRAM where the first data is to be written, wherein the column address is to be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; transmitting, to the DRAM, a second code to indicate whether mask information for the first data will be sent to the DRAM, the second code being sent over a subset of wires of the first plurality of wires, wherein; the mask information indicates whether certain portions of the first data is to be transmitted to the DRAM; and if the second code indicates that mask information will be sent, a portion of the column address and a portion of the mask information are sent over the subset of wires after the second code is sent over the subset of wires, wherein the mask information is to be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; and over a second plurality of wires separate from the first plurality of wires, transmitting, to the DRAM, the first data. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operation of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, the method comprising:
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receiving an external clock signal; receiving, at a first interface, a first code to indicate that first data is to be written to the DRAM, wherein the first code is registered at one or more edges of the external clock signal; receiving, at the first interface, a column address to indicate a column location of a memory core in the DRAM where the first data is to be written, wherein the column address is registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; receiving, at the first interface, a second code to indicate whether mask information for the first data will be sent to the DRAM, the second code being sent over a subset of wires of the first plurality of wires, wherein; the mask information indicates whether certain portions of the first data is transmitted to the DRAM; and if the second code indicates that mask information will be sent, a portion of the column address and a portion of the mask information are received over the subset of wires after the second code is received over the subset of wires, wherein the mask information be registered by the DRAM at one or more edges of the external clock signal; and receiving at a second interface that is separate from the first interface, the first data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification