Configurable Buffered I/O for Diverse Memory Channel Topologies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing buffer devices in memory systems fail to accommodate diverse memory applications and systems, requiring separate designs for different applications, leading to increased complexity, cost, and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A configurable buffer device is introduced between a memory controller and memory components, allowing dynamic adjustment of front-side and back-side channels based on configuration data to tailor the connection topology to specific applications, reducing the need for multiple designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate buffer device designs are created for different memory applications, then each application can have optimized performance, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication-specific optimizationVSAvoidnumber of separate designs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer device incorporates multiple front-side channel interfaces that can be configured to support different memory applications (LPDDR, GDDR, HBM) within a single device, eliminating the need for separate designs for each application while maintaining optimized performance for each

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate buffer device designs are created for different memory applications, then each application can have optimized performance, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication-specific optimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single buffer device design with configurable front-side channels can serve multiple memory applications, reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need to produce separate devices for LPDDR, GDDR, and HBM applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed channel configurations are used in buffer devices, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different memory systems is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer device employs configurable front-side channel interfaces that can be dynamically enabled or disabled based on the specific memory application requirements, allowing a single manufactured device to adapt to different systems without compromising manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12399646B2Configurable buffered I/O for memory systems

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure configure a system component, such as a memory sub-system controller, to provide a configurable buffer device. The configuration buffer device is coupled between a processing device and a set of memory components. The configurable buffer device can be configured based on configuration data to couple a first quantity of front-side channels to a second quantity of back-side channels. The configuration data can be received from an external source, such as the processing device, or can be stored in a configuration register at manufacture. The configuration data can also be generated or determined based on one or more pins of the buffer device that control how many font-side channels and how many back-side channels to enable/disable.