System and method for data-mask training in non-provisioned random access memory
First Claim
1. A method for data mask (DM) signal and data (DQ) signal timing alignment adjustment in transmission to a memory device, the method comprising:
- performing write training of at least one DQ signal line using at least one known data pattern while maintaining a value of said DM signal at a constant value representing an unmasked condition to establish an optimal DQ delay value relative to a data strobe (DQS) signal; and
,establishing an optimal DM delay value relative to said DQS signal for said DM signal by successively writing at least one known DQ signal data pattern using said optimal DQ delay value for transmission of DQ signals to said memory device while alternating said value of said DM signal to define a consistent sequence of alternating high and low values, to thereby provide a sequence of masked and unmasked bytes of said DQ signals during each write to said memory device, a DM signal delay value incrementally varied once for each of a plurality of consecutive writes to said memory device, said optimal DM delay value being established responsive to comparisons between said DQ signal data pattern and at least one retrieved data pattern from said memory device in correspondence with data masking in accordance with said alternating DM signal value sequence.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method providing timing alignment of a data mask (DM) signal with respect to a data strobe (DQS) signal for memory devices not designed for adjusting such alignment is provided. Alignment between data signals (DQ) and a DQS signal is first achieved during a first write training procedure where a data delay value is optimized for one of the DQS or DQ signals. Subsequently, using the optimum delay value from the first write training procedure, a second write training procedure is initiated. In the second write training procedure, timing alignment between the DM signal and the DQ signals is achieved by determining an optimal delay value of the DM signal relative to the DQS signal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for data mask (DM) signal and data (DQ) signal timing alignment adjustment in transmission to a memory device, the method comprising:
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performing write training of at least one DQ signal line using at least one known data pattern while maintaining a value of said DM signal at a constant value representing an unmasked condition to establish an optimal DQ delay value relative to a data strobe (DQS) signal; and
,establishing an optimal DM delay value relative to said DQS signal for said DM signal by successively writing at least one known DQ signal data pattern using said optimal DQ delay value for transmission of DQ signals to said memory device while alternating said value of said DM signal to define a consistent sequence of alternating high and low values, to thereby provide a sequence of masked and unmasked bytes of said DQ signals during each write to said memory device, a DM signal delay value incrementally varied once for each of a plurality of consecutive writes to said memory device, said optimal DM delay value being established responsive to comparisons between said DQ signal data pattern and at least one retrieved data pattern from said memory device in correspondence with data masking in accordance with said alternating DM signal value sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for data mask (DM) signal and data (DQ) signal timing alignment adjustment in transmission to a memory device, the method comprising:
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performing a first write training procedure of at least one DQ signal line using at least one known data pattern while maintaining a value of said DM signal at a constant value representing an unmasked condition to establish an optimal delay value of one of a data strobe (DQS) signal and DQ signals; and
,performing a second write training procedure to establish an optimal DM delay value relative to said DQS signal for said DM signal by successively writing at least one known DQ signal data pattern using said optimal delay value of said one of a DQS signal and DQ signals established in said first write training procedure for transmission of DQ signals to said memory device while alternating said value of said DM signal to define a consistent sequence of alternating high and low values, to thereby provide a sequence of masked and unmasked bytes of said DQ signals during each write to said memory device, a DM signal delay value incrementally varied once for each of a plurality of consecutive writes to said memory device, said optimal DM delay value being established responsive to comparisons between said DQ signal data pattern and at least one retrieved data pattern from said memory device in correspondence with data masking in accordance with said alternating DM signal value sequence. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for calibrating a data mask (DM) signal used to mask a selected portion of data transmitted to a memory device, comprising a memory controller including:
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a control circuit for performing DM signal training in conjunction with the memory device; a timing generator establishing a data strobe (DQS) signal; a first delay circuit coupled to said control circuit and operable to selectively delay data (DQ) signals being transmitted to the memory device at any of a plurality of delay values in a range of available selectable delay values responsive a delay value signal from said control circuit; and a second delay circuit coupled to said control circuit and operable to selectively delay a DM signal being transmitted to the memory device at any of a plurality of delay values in a range of available selectable delay values responsive a delay value signal from said control circuit; wherein said control circuit is configured to perform a first write training procedure of at least one DQ signal line using at least one known data pattern while maintaining a value of said DM signal at a constant value representing an unmasked condition to establish an optimal delay value of one of said DQS signal and DQ signals, and then perform a second write training procedure to establish an optimal DM delay value relative to said DQS signal for said DM signal by successively writing at least one known DQ signal data pattern using said optimal delay value of said one of a DQS signal and DQ signals established in said first write training procedure for transmission of DQ signals to said memory device while alternating said value of said DM signal to define a consistent sequence of alternating high and low values, to thereby provide a sequence of masked and unmasked bytes of said DQ signals during each write to said memory device, a DM signal delay value incrementally varied once for each of a plurality of consecutive writes to said memory device, said control circuit performing comparisons between said DQ signal data pattern and at least one retrieved data pattern from said memory device in correspondence with data masking in accordance with said alternating DM signal value sequence to establish said optimal DM delay value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification