Patent · US Expired

Configurable flash memory controller and method of use

US7757037B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
20References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 16, 2005
Grant dateJul 13, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 12, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F13/1694
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A FLASH memory controller is disclosed. The controller comprises a microcontroller. The microcontroller including firmware for providing different mappings for different types of FLASH memory chips. The controller also includes FLASH control logic for communicating with the microcontroller and adapted to communicate via a FLASH data bus to at least one FLASH memory chip. The FLASH control logic including mapping logic for configuring the FLASH data bus based upon the type of FLASH memory chip coupled thereto. A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides the following advantages: Configurable data bus on the FLASH memory controller through software to simplify routing complexity. Configurable chip select and control bus for flexibility of FLASH memory placement. Elimination of external resistor network for layout simplicity. A scalable architecture for higher data bus bandwidth support. Auto-detection of FLASH memory type and capacity configuration.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.