Synchronous DRAM memory with asynchronous column decode
US5666321A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C11/4087
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a synchronous DRAM memory module with control circuitry that allows the memory module to operate partially asynchronously. Specifically, a circuit is disclosed which utilizes address transition detection to begin decoding the column-address immediately after a new column-address is present on the address bus lines and without waiting for the column-address strobe signal to synchronize with the rising or falling edge of the synchronizing clock signal. Also disclosed is a manner of controlling the latching circuitry whereby each new column-address may be decoded and held within a buffer until the column-address strobe signal notifies the circuitry that the column-address is correct and is to be input into the microprocessor. Thus, each new column-address will be decoded immediately after it is present on the address lines and undesired column-addresses will be discarded, while desired column-addresses are input into the memory array bank immediately upon the presence of the column-address strobe which denotes that the column-address is final. The present invention improves the access times of read and write operations in synchronous DRAM memory by up to a complete clock …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.