Granted Patent B2

US 8,189,328 · App. 11/876,479 · Granted May 29, 2012

Abstract

Claims (94)

1. A flash memory dual inline memory module (DIMM) comprising:

a printed circuit board with an edge connector;

a first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) parts mounted to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector, each of the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts including

one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner, wherein the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die operate with a power supply voltage level differing from a power supply voltage level to be provided at the edge connector, and

one or more circuits to convert one or more voltages to that used to operate the randomly accessible flash memory die to avoid mounting power conversion circuit to the printed circuit board and increasing the height thereof;

and

a first address device mounted to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector and the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts.

2. The flash memory DIMM of claim 1 , wherein

the printed circuit board includes a plurality of metal traces on one or more layers of the printed circuit board, the plurality of metal traces to electrically couple to the edge connector and the plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts, and

the plurality of metal traces include traces for power, ground, address signals, and data signals.

3. The flash memory DIMM of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of flash memory parts mounted on a surface of the printed circuit board and respectively coupled to the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts, each of the plurality of flash memory parts including one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner.

4. The flash memory DIMM of claim 3 , wherein

data associated with the plurality of flash memory parts mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board passes through the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts to/from the edge connector.

5. The flash memory DIMM of claim 3 , wherein

the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts and the first address device are mounted to a front side of the printed circuit board; and

the plurality of flash memory parts are mounted to a back side of the printed circuit board.

6. The flash memory DIMM of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts mounted to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector, each of the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts including one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner; and

a second address device mounted to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts;

wherein the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts and the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts are mounted in parallel rows on the printed circuit board.

7. The flash memory DIMM of claim 6 , wherein

data associated with the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts bypasses the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts to/from the edge connector.

8. The flash memory DIMM of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts mounted to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts, each of the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts including one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner; and

a second address device mounted to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the first address device and the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts;

wherein the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts and the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts are mounted in parallel rows on the printed circuit board.

9. The flash memory DIMM of claim 8 , wherein

data associated with the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts respectively passes through the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts to/from the edge connector.

10. The flash memory DIMM of claim 1 , wherein

each of the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts further includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) die mounted to a substrate, and

the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die are mounted to the substrate and electrically coupled to the ASIC die.

11. The flash memory DIMM of claim 10 , wherein

the ASIC die is

a data support application specific integrated circuit die to read data from and write data into the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die.

12. The flash memory DIMM of claim 10 , wherein

the ASIC die is

an address, control, and data support application specific integrated circuit die to receive one or more address lines and generate an address for the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die and generate control signals to control the randomly accessible flash memory die to read data there-from and write data there-to.

13. The flash memory DIMM of claim 1 , wherein

each of the first plurality of multichip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts further includes

a first multiplexer/demultiplexer to respectively multiplex and demultiplex data between a first data bus of a first bit width and a second data bus of a second bit width differing from the first bit width.

14. The flash memory DIMM of claim 13 , wherein

the first address device to receive an encoded address from the edge connector to decode the encoded address and address at least one of the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die and at least one flash memory location therein.

15. The flash memory DIMM of claim 13 , wherein

the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts are mounted in a first row on the printed circuit board and the flash memory DIMM further comprises:

a second plurality of flash memory parts mounted to the printed circuit board in a second row parallel to the first row and electrically coupled to the first multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts and the first address device, each of the second plurality of flash memory parts including one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner.

16. The flash memory DIMM of claim 15 , wherein

the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts includes a first left plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts and a first right plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts in the first row;

the second plurality of flash memory parts includes a first left plurality of flash memory parts and a first right plurality of flash memory parts in the second row; and

the first address device is between the first left and first right plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts to drive a first left and a first right plurality of address lines respectively thereto and between the first left and first right plurality of flash memory parts to drive a second left and a second right plurality of address lines respectively thereto.

17. The flash memory DIMM of claim 13 , wherein

each of the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die in the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) die to which they are coupled are respectively mounted together into a first plurality of multi-chip packages and to a front side of the printed circuit board;

the first address device is mounted to the front side of the printed circuit board;

the ASIC die to couple to a first plurality of pins of the edge connector on the front side of the printed circuit board; and

the flash memory DIMM further includes

a second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts coupled to a second plurality of pins of the edge connector on the back side of the printed circuit board, each of the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts including a second multiplexer/demultiplexer to respectively multiplex and demultiplex data between a third data bus of a third bit width and a fourth data bus of a fourth bit width differing from the third bit width;

a second plurality of flash memory parts coupled to the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts and a second address device, the second plurality of plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts including one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner;

the second address device coupled to the edge connector, the second plurality of flash memory parts, and the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts; and

wherein the second plurality of flash memory parts, the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts, and the second address device are respectively mounted to a back side of the printed circuit board.

18. The flash memory DIMM of claim 13 , wherein

each of the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts further includes

a data buffer to buffer data between the first data bus and the second data bus to emolliate signal timing differences between the first data bus and the second data bus.

19. The flash memory DIMM of claim 1 , wherein

the power supply voltage level to be provided at the edge connector is one of 2.5 volts, 1.8 volts, and 1.5 volts.

20. A flash memory dual inline memory module (DIMM) comprising:

a printed circuit board with an edge connector;

a first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) parts mounted to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector, each of the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts including

one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner, wherein the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die operate with a power supply voltage level differing from a power supply voltage level to be provided at the edge connector, and

an application specific integrated circuit die including one or more circuits to convert one or more voltages to that used to operate the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to avoid mounting power conversion circuitry to the printed circuit board and increasing the height of the printed circuit board.

21. The flash memory DIMM of claim 20 , wherein

the power supply voltage level to be provided at the edge connector is one of substantially 2.5 volts in accordance with Joint Electron Device Engineering Councils (JEDEC) double data rate (DDR) memory standards, substantially 1.8 volts in accordance with JEDEC double data rate two (DDR2) memory standards, or substantially 1.5 volts in accordance with JEDEC double data rate three (DDR3) memory standards for dual inline memory modules.

22. A flash memory dual inline memory module (DIMM) comprising:

printed circuit board with an edge connector,

a first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) parts mounted in a parallel row to a front side of the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector, each of the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts including one or more randomly memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner;

a second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts mounted in a parallel row to a back side of the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector, each of the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts including one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner;

wherein the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts include a front/back control signal input set to a front mode setting indicating to circuits therein that they are mounted to the front side of the printed circuit board; and

wherein the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts include a front/back control signal input set to a back mode setting indicating to circuits therein that they are mounted to the back side of the printed circuit board.

23. The flash memory DIMM of claim 22 , wherein

the front mode setting is a positive power supply voltage (VDD) and the first front/back control signal input of the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts is coupled to VDD, and

the back mode setting is a ground voltage (VSS) and the second front/back control signal input of the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts is coupled to VSS.

24. The flash memory DIMM of claim 22 , wherein

the front mode setting is a ground voltage (VSS) and the first front/back control signal input of the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts is coupled to VSS, and

the back mode setting is a positive power supply voltage (VDD) and the second front/back control signal input of the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts is coupled to VDD.

25. The flash memory DIMM of claim 22 , further comprising:

a first address device mounted to the front side of the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector and the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts; and

a second address device mounted to the back side of the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector and the second plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts.

26. A flash memory dual inline memory module (DIMM) comprising:

a printed circuit board with an edge connector;

a first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) parts mounted to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector, each of the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts including an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) die mounted to a substrate and one or more randomly accessible flash memory die mounted to the substrate and electrically coupled to the ASIC die, the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die to periodically store data in a non-volatile manner,

wherein the one or more randomly accessible flash memory die operate with a power supply voltage level differing from a power supply voltage level to be provided at the edge connector and the ASIC die includes one or more circuits to translate signal voltages for signals communicated between the edge connector and the randomly accessible flash memory die.

27. The flash memory DIMM of claim 26 , wherein

the power supply voltage level to be provided at the edge connector is one of 2.5 volts, 1.8 volts, and 1.5 volts.

28. The flash memory DIMM of claim 26 , further comprising:

a first address device mounted to the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the edge connector and the first plurality of multi-chip packaged flash memory/support ASIC parts.

Assignments (12)