Active Edge Memory Connector with Re-driven Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DIMM connectors lack active circuits, leading to signal reflections and reduced data rates due to cumulative capacitive loads and long propagation delays, which hinder the achievement of high memory capacity and frequency requirements while increasing system complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
The integration of active circuits within the connector structure using rigid and flexible PCBs with re-driver chips to facilitate point-to-point signal propagation, minimizing capacitive load and signal reflections, and enabling efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple memory chips are connected in parallel to increase memory capacity, then the total memory capacity increases, but the cumulative capacitive load increases which slows down the data rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the memory system into multiple independent point-to-point connections, where each connection has its own driver and receiver. This segmentation isolates the capacitive load of each memory chip, preventing cumulative loading effects that would otherwise slow down the data rate across the entire memory system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces active circuits with re-driver functionality as intermediaries between the controller and memory chips. These re-drivers regenerate and re-transmit signals, effectively isolating the capacitive load of each memory chip from the controller and maintaining high data rates across multiple memory devices.
2Device complexity
If traditional passive connectors are used to reduce system complexity and cost, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but signal reflections occur due to impedance discontinuities which degrade signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces active circuits as intermediary elements within the connector structure. These active circuits serve as impedance matching buffers that eliminate signal reflections caused by impedance discontinuities, thereby maintaining high signal quality without requiring complex passive impedance matching networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters of the connector by incorporating active circuits that dynamically adjust impedance matching. This allows the connector to maintain optimal signal integrity across varying load conditions without increasing physical complexity or cost.
3Quantity of substance
If long propagation paths are used to connect multiple DIMMs to increase memory capacity, then the total memory capacity increases, but the propagation delay increases which reduces the data rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the long propagation path into multiple short point-to-point connections, each with its own re-driver. This segmentation reduces the propagation delay of each individual segment, and the re-drivers regenerate signals to maintain timing integrity across the entire memory system, enabling high capacity without sacrificing data rate.
4Area of stationary object
If the number of connectors on the motherboard is reduced to save space and reduce cost, then space availability and system cost are improved, but the memory capacity that can be accommodated is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes each connector universal by equipping it with active circuits that can handle multiple memory chips through point-to-point connections. Each connector can accommodate multiple DIMMs with isolated capacitive loads, effectively increasing the memory capacity per connector and reducing the total number of connectors needed on the motherboard.
Data Source
AI summary
An Active edge connector for memory modules has a base including two PCB sides and a spacer separating the sides, with driver chips mounted on each side of each side, printed wiring electrically connecting a first set of electrical signals from each of the driver chips to a mother board on which the connector is mounted, and printed wiring for electrically connecting a second set of electrical signals from each of the driver chips to a memory module inserted in the edge connector. When a group of connectors are mounted on a mother board, electrical signals arriving at the first connector are routed to its driver chips, producing re-driven signals to the next connector, and so on. A decoder circuit provides addressing signals determining the last such connector to which the signals are intended, and which prevents the signals from going to any connectors containing memories not addressed.