Single-strobe operation of memory devices
View Patent ↗An arrangement of memory devices and a controller is based on an interface with a reduced pin count relative to a known memory device and controller arrangement. Facilitating the reduced pin count interface the reduction of multiple strobe signal to a single strobe signal. In addition, a packet header transmitted on the data bus followed by a payload, includes an encoded indication of the type of the payload. Aspects of the present application relate to providing a traditional memory device with external logic devices, where the logic devices handle the single strobe and the packet header, thereby permitting single strobe operation.
1. A memory device comprising:
an internal memory device including:
a plurality of data bus inputs for receiving a signal on a data bus;
a first strobe input for receiving a first strobe signal indicating that said signal on said data bus relates to a first type of packet; and
a second strobe input for receiving a second strobe signal indicating that said signal on said data bus relates to a second type of packet; and
a packet header decoder including:
a data bus input for receiving a portion of said signal on said data bus;
a third strobe input for receiving a third strobe signal;
a pulse generator for generating a fourth strobe signal based, at least in part, on said third strobe signal; and
a strobe generator for generating one of said first strobe signal and said second strobe signal based, at least in part, on:
said portion of said signal on said data bus; and
said fourth strobe signal.
2. The memory device of claim 1 wherein said first type of packet is a Command and Write Data Packet.
3. The memory device of claim 1 wherein said second type of packet is a Read Data Packet.
4. The memory device of claim 1 wherein said packet header decoder comprises a clock input for receiving a system clock signal.
5. The memory device of claim 4 wherein said second strobe signal is based, at least in part, on said system clock signal.
6. The memory device of claim 4 wherein said pulse generator comprises:
a negative-edge-triggered flip-flop for:
receiving said system clock signal at a clock input and said third strobe signal at a D input; and
generating an output signal and an inverse output signal;
a logic circuit for producing said fourth strobe signal based on said inverse output signal and said third strobe signal.
7. The memory device of claim 6 wherein said logic gate for producing said fourth strobe signal is arranged to perform a logical AND operation.
8. The memory device of claim 4 wherein said strobe generator comprises:
a positive-edge-triggered flip-flop for:
receiving said system clock signal at a clock input, said portion of said signal on said data bus at a D input and said fourth strobe signal at an enable input; and
generating an output signal and an inverse output signal;
a first logic circuit for producing said first strobe signal based on said output signal, said third strobe signal and an inverse of said fourth strobe signal.
9. The memory device of claim 8 wherein said first logic gate for producing said first strobe signal is arranged to perform a logical AND operation.
10. The memory device of claim 8 further comprising a second logic circuit for producing said second strobe signal based on said inverse output signal, said third strobe signal and an inverse of said fourth strobe signal.
11. The memory device of claim 10 wherein said second logic circuit for producing said second strobe signal is arranged to perform a logical AND operation.
12. The memory device of claim 1 wherein said packet header decoder comprises an inverse clock input for receiving an inverse system clock signal.
13. The memory device of claim 12 wherein said pulse generator is for generating said fourth strobe signal based, at least in part, on said inverse system clock signal.
14. The memory device of claim 12 wherein said pulse generator comprises:
a positive-edge-triggered flip-flop for:
receiving said inverse system clock signal at a clock input and said third strobe signal at a D input; and
generating an output signal and an inverse output signal; and
a logic circuit for producing said fourth strobe signal based on said inverse output signal and said third strobe signal.
15. The memory device of claim 14 wherein said logic circuit for producing said fourth strobe signal is arranged to perform a logical AND operation.
16. A memory arrangement comprising:
a memory controller including:
a strobe output for transmitting a third strobe signal delimiting a primary packet; and
a plurality of data bus outputs for transmitting said primary packet on a data bus, said primary packet including a packet header followed by a payload, said packet header indicating a type to be associated with said payload; and
a memory device comprising:
an internal memory device including:
a plurality of data bus inputs for receiving said primary packet on said data bus;
a first strobe input for receiving a first strobe signal indicating that said signal on said data bus relates to a first type of packet; and
a second strobe input for receiving a second strobe signal indicating that said signal on said data bus relates to a second type of packet; and
a packet header decoder including:
a data bus input for receiving a portion of said primary packet on said data bus;
a third strobe input for receiving said third strobe signal;
a pulse generator for generating a fourth strobe signal based, at least in part, on said third strobe signal; and
a strobe generator for generating one of said first strobe signal and said second strobe signal based, at least in part, on:
said portion of said primary packet on said data bus; and
said fourth strobe signal.
17. The memory arrangement of claim 16 wherein said first type of packet is a Command and Write Data Packet.
18. The memory arrangement of claim 16 wherein said second type of packet is a Read Data Packet.
19. The memory arrangement of claim 16 wherein:
said packet header decoder comprises a clock input for receiving a system clock signal; and
said second strobe signal is based, at least in part, on said system clock signal.
20. The arrangement device of claim 16 wherein:
said packet header decoder comprises an inverse clock input for receiving an inverse system clock signal; and
said pulse generator is for generating said fourth strobe signal based, at least in part, on said inverse system clock signal.