Multiport memory architecture, devices and systems including the same, and methods of using the same
US8335878B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C7/1075
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multiport memory architecture, systems including the same and methods for using the same. The architecture generally includes (a) a memory array; (b) a plurality of ports configured to receive and/or transmit data; and (c) a plurality of port buffers, each of which is configured to transmit the data to and/or receive the data from one or more of the ports, and all of which are configured to (i) transmit the data to the memory array on a first common bus and (ii) receive the data from the memory array on a second common bus. The systems generally include those that embody one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The methods generally relate to writing blocks of data to, reading blocks of data from, and/or transferring blocks of data across a memory. The present invention advantageously reduces latency in data communications, particularly in network switches, by tightly coupling port buffers to the main memory and advantageously using point-to-point communications over long segments of the memory read and write paths, thereby reducing routing congestion and enabling the elimination of a FIFO. The invention advantageously shrinks chip size and provides increased data …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.