Adjusting the timing of signals associated with a memory system
First Claim
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1. A sub-system, comprising:
- a plurality of memory devices, wherein each memory device has an actual CAS (column address strobe) latency;
a serial presence detect (SPD) device configured to provide a simulated CAS latency to a memory controller, wherein the simulated CAS latency is set to a value that causes the memory controller to view the memory devices as having a larger CAS latency than the actual CAS latency of the memory devices; and
one or more interface circuits configured to;
perform one or more additional functions including one or more of a reliability, accessibility and serviceability (RAS) function, a power management function, or a mirroring of memory function, wherein the one or more interface circuits include additional logic to perform the additional functions; and
communicate with the memory devices and a memory controller, wherein the memory devices are configured to communicate with the one or more interface circuits using a first protocol and the one or more interface circuits are configured to communicate with the memory controller using a different, second protocol, wherein the time difference between the larger simulated CAS latency and the actual CAS latency provides time in which the additional logic can perform the one or more additional functions while the sub-system is operating.
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for adjusting the timing of signals associated with a memory system. A memory controller is provided. Additionally, at least one memory module is provided. Further, at least one interface circuit is provided, the interface circuit capable of adjusting timing of signals associated with one or more of the memory controller and the at least one memory module.
933 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sub-system, comprising:
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a plurality of memory devices, wherein each memory device has an actual CAS (column address strobe) latency; a serial presence detect (SPD) device configured to provide a simulated CAS latency to a memory controller, wherein the simulated CAS latency is set to a value that causes the memory controller to view the memory devices as having a larger CAS latency than the actual CAS latency of the memory devices; and one or more interface circuits configured to; perform one or more additional functions including one or more of a reliability, accessibility and serviceability (RAS) function, a power management function, or a mirroring of memory function, wherein the one or more interface circuits include additional logic to perform the additional functions; and communicate with the memory devices and a memory controller, wherein the memory devices are configured to communicate with the one or more interface circuits using a first protocol and the one or more interface circuits are configured to communicate with the memory controller using a different, second protocol, wherein the time difference between the larger simulated CAS latency and the actual CAS latency provides time in which the additional logic can perform the one or more additional functions while the sub-system is operating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system, comprising:
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a memory controller; a memory module comprising; a plurality of memory devices, wherein each memory device has an actual CAS (column address strobe) latency requirement; a serial presence detect (SPD) device configured to provide a simulated CAS latency requirement to a memory controller, wherein the simulated CAS latency requirement is set to a value that causes the memory controller to view the memory devices as having a larger CAS latency requirement than the actual CAS latency requirement of the memory devices; and one or more interface circuits configured to; perform one or more additional functions including one or more of a reliability, accessibility and serviceability (RAS) function, a power management function, or a mirroring of memory function, wherein the one or more interface circuits include additional logic to perform the additional functions; and communicate with the memory devices and a memory controller, wherein the memory devices are configured to communicate with the one or more interface circuits using a first protocol and the one or more interface circuits are configured to communicate with the memory controller using a different, second protocol, and wherein the one or more interface circuits are configured to complete performing the additional one or more functions (i) prior to the larger simulated CAS latency requirement being met and (ii) while the memory module is operating. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method, comprising:
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communicating with a plurality of memory devices using a first protocol and with a memory controller using a different, second protocol, wherein each memory device has an actual CAS (column address strobe) latency; providing a simulated CAS latency to the memory controller, wherein the simulated CAS latency is set to a value that causes the memory controller to view the memory devices as having a larger CAS latency than the actual CAS latency of the memory devices; and performing, by additional logic, one or more additional functions including one or more of a reliability, accessibility and serviceability (RAS) function, a power management function, or a mirroring of memory function, wherein the time difference between the larger simulated CAS latency and the actual CAS latency provides time in which the additional logic can perform the one or more additional functions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification