System for controlling multiple memory types
US6681301B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/1694
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system that enables a memory controller to control data transfers with memory modules, such as DIMMs (double in-line memory modules), of either a “by 4” (×4) type or a non-by-4 type (non-×4). Both ×4 and non-×4 DIMMs may be used in the system simultaneously, and the memory controller dynamically adjusts its enable and other signals as needed. Data strobe signals are provided to and from DIMMs over a data strobe transfer circuits which in the case of a non-×4 DIMM handles data strobes for an entire byte of data, while in the case of ×4 DIMM the data transfer circuit handles data strobes for one nibble (four bits) of a byte of data. A hybrid data mask/data strobe transfer circuit handles the other nibble of a byte of data in the case of data transfers for ×4 DIMMs, and handles data mask signals for write operations for non-×4 DIMMs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.