DRAM Interface Mode Switching for High-Rate Channel Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in optimizing channel integrity and efficiency at high signaling rates, particularly in multi-drop data and command/address bus configurations, which can limit performance for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
A memory controller with configurable interfaces and serialization/deserialization circuits that support multiple operating modes, enabling point-to-point and multi-drop topologies to adapt to different memory system capacities and performance criteria, using independent data and command/address interfaces with configurable circuitry to manage timing and serialization ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multi-drop data and command/address bus configurations are used in existing memory systems, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but channel integrity and signal quality deteriorate at high signaling rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data bus into multiple independent data lanes (e.g., DQ0-DQ7) that can be independently controlled and timed. Each lane can be configured with independent serialization ratios and timing parameters, allowing the system to divide the signal transmission task across multiple parallel paths, thereby maintaining signal integrity at high rates while preserving the multi-drop architecture's manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of serialization ratios and timing parameters for each data lane based on the operating mode (e.g., 16-bit, 8-bit, 4-bit width modes). The memory controller can adaptively adjust serialization ratios (e.g., 16:1, 8:1, 4:1) and timing delays in real-time depending on the selected interface mode, enabling the system to optimize channel integrity for different performance requirements while maintaining the same physical multi-drop bus structure.
2Productivity
If serialization ratios are increased to support higher data widths, then data transmission capacity is improved, but timing control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration of serialization ratios and timing parameters before data transmission begins. The memory controller is pre-programmed with specific serialization ratios (e.g., 16:1 for 16-bit mode, 8:1 for 8-bit mode, 4:1 for 4-bit mode) and corresponding timing delays that are automatically applied based on the selected operating mode. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex real-time timing calculations during data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key timing parameters (serialization ratio and timing delay) based on the selected data width mode. When operating in 16-bit mode, the system uses a 16:1 serialization ratio and specific timing delays; when switching to 8-bit or 4-bit modes, the serialization ratio and timing parameters are automatically adjusted accordingly. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain simple timing control logic while supporting variable data transmission capacities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent data and command/address interfaces are implemented, then adaptability to different memory configurations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the memory controller with universal interface circuitry that can operate in multiple data width modes (16-bit, 8-bit, 4-bit) using the same physical data lanes. The same set of data lanes (DQ0-DQ7) and command/address interfaces serve all operating modes, with the controller dynamically configuring the effective data width and serialization ratio. This multi-functionality provides adaptability to different memory configurations without requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the data interface parameters including serialization ratios and timing delays based on the selected operating mode. The memory controller can switch between different serialization ratios (16:1, 8:1, 4:1) and adjust timing parameters dynamically, allowing the same physical interface to adapt to different data width requirements. This dynamic adaptability reduces the need for multiple static interface configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Memory controllers, devices, modules, systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) memory controller is disclosed. The IC memory controller includes a first controller command/address (C/A) interface to transmit first and second read commands for first and second read data to a first memory C/A interface of a first bank group of memory. A second command/address (C/A) interface transmits third and fourth read commands for third and fourth read data to a second memory C/A interface of a second bank group of memory. Receiver circuitry receives the first and second read data via a first data link interface and the third and fourth read data via the second data link interface. For a first operating mode, the first and second read data are received after respective first delays following transmission of the first and second read commands and at a first serialization ratio. For a second operating mode, the first and second read data are received after respective second and third delays following transmission of the first and second read commands. The second and third delays are different from the first delays and from each other. The first and second data are received at a second serialization ratio that is different than the first serialization ratio.