Memory controller with multi-modal reference pad

US8068357B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Rambus Inc. · US

Inventors

• Frederick A. Ware · Los Altos Hills, US
• John Wilson · Raleigh, US
• John Eble · Chapel Hill, US
• Jade M. Kizer · Fort Collins, US
• Lei Luo · Chapel Hill, US
• John W. Poulton · Chapel Hill, US
• Ian Shaeffer · Los Gatos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 4, 2008
• Grant date: Nov 29, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 10, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G11C5/147
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A memory controller operates in two modes to support different types of memory devices. In a first mode, the memory controller distributes a dedicated reference voltage with each of a plurality of signal bundles to a corresponding plurality of memory devices. The reference voltages are conveyed using pads that are alternatively used for e.g. timing-reference signals in a second mode, so the provision for bundle-specific reference voltages need not increase the number of pads on the memory controller.