Methods and systems for pin-efficient memory controller interface using vector signaling codes for chip-to-chip communications
First Claim
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1. A device comprising:
- a link layer signaling protocol control circuit configured to receive a plurality of memory transaction signals from a bus controller and responsively generate link layer bits, at a link layer interface, representing the memory transaction signals as a message packet, wherein the message packet is selected from the group consisting of a memory write packet, a memo read packet and a status interrogation command packet; and
,a physical layer signaling protocol control circuit connected to the link layer interface and configured to receive the link layer bits, select a set of data bits from the link layer bits, form a code word of a vector signaling code based on the selected set of data bits, the code word comprising a first set of symbols, map the first set of symbols of the code word to a collection of interconnection signal lines and synchronize symbol communication via symbol clock lines.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are described for transmitting data over physical channels to provide a high speed, low latency interface such as between a memory controller and memory devices. Controller-side and memory-side embodiments of such channel interfaces are disclosed which require a low pin count and have low power utilization. In some embodiments of the invention, different voltage, current, etc. levels are used for signaling and more than two levels may be used, such as a vector signaling code wherein each wire signal may take on one of four signal values.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a link layer signaling protocol control circuit configured to receive a plurality of memory transaction signals from a bus controller and responsively generate link layer bits, at a link layer interface, representing the memory transaction signals as a message packet, wherein the message packet is selected from the group consisting of a memory write packet, a memo read packet and a status interrogation command packet; and
,a physical layer signaling protocol control circuit connected to the link layer interface and configured to receive the link layer bits, select a set of data bits from the link layer bits, form a code word of a vector signaling code based on the selected set of data bits, the code word comprising a first set of symbols, map the first set of symbols of the code word to a collection of interconnection signal lines and synchronize symbol communication via symbol clock lines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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transmitting messages from a memory controller using a vector signaling code, the messages selected from the group consisting of a memory write, a memory read, and a status interrogation command, receiving a response message in the form of one or more vector signaling codes, the response message selected from the group consisting of a memory write complete, a memory read result, a status response, and an error report message, wherein each transmitted message and received response message comprises a series of vector signaling code words, each code word communicated as symbols on a set of lines, and wherein consecutive code words of each message are synchronized by a symbol clock on the set of lines. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification