IP Library Granted Patent US 11,586,386
Granted Patent B2
US 11,586,386 · App. 17/315,532 · Granted Feb 21, 2023

Methods for on-die memory termination and memory devices and systems employing the same

Inventors: Eric J. Stave (Meridian, ID); Thomas H. Kinsley (Boise, ID); Matthew A. Prather (Boise, ID)
Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
G06F3/0659G06F3/061G06F3/0673G06F13/4086G11C7/1048G11C7/1051G11C7/1057G11C7/1078G11C11/4093G11C7/1042G11C2207/2254
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,586,386
App. No.
17/315,532
Granted
Feb 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with on-die termination (ODT) are provided. A memory device may be configured to provide ODT at a first portion (e.g., rank) during communications at a second portion (e.g., rank). For example, a memory device may receive a first command instructing a first portion to perform a first communication. The device may transmit, from the first portion, a signal instructing a second portion to enter an ODT mode. The device may perform, with the first portion, the first communication with a host while the second portion is in the ODT mode. The signal may be provided at an ODT I/O terminal of the first portion coupled to an ODT I/O terminal of the second portion.

Claims (32)

1. A method of operating a memory system, comprising:

receiving, at a first portion of a memory system, a first command instructing the first portion of the memory system to perform a first communication with a memory host;

transmitting, from the first portion of the memory system to a second portion of the memory system, a signal instructing the second portion to enter an on-die termination mode, wherein the signal does not cause a command decoder of the second portion of the memory system to consume power by decoding the signal; and

entering, based at least in part on the signal, the on-die termination mode with the second portion.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a voltage of the signal indicates an impedance level of the on-die termination mode.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a duration of the signal indicates an impedance level of the on-die termination mode.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second portion exits the on-die termination mode after the first communication is performed.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting of the signal occurs on a first on-die termination terminal of the first portion electrically connected to a second on-die termination terminal of the second portion.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second on-die termination terminal is directly electrically coupled to on-die termination circuitry of the second portion of the memory devices without the command decoder intermediated therebetween.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first command includes a first indication on a first chip select terminal of the first memory device that the first portion is targeted by the first command.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first command does not include a second indication on a second chip select terminal of the second memory device that the second portion is not targeted by the first command.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first communication is one of a read or a write operation.

10. A memory system, comprising:

a first memory device including a first on-die termination terminal; and

a second memory device including a second on-die termination terminal electrically coupled to the first on-die termination terminal;

wherein the second memory device includes circuitry configured to:

receive a signal from the first memory device at the second on-die termination terminal instructing the second memory device to enter an on-die termination mode, wherein the signal does not cause a command decoder of the second portion of the memory system to consume power by decoding the signal, and

enter, based at least in part on receiving the signal, the on-die termination mode with the second portion.

11. The memory system of claim 10 , wherein a voltage of the signal indicates an impedance level of the on-die termination mode.

12. The memory system of claim 10 , wherein a duration of the signal indicates an impedance level of the on-die termination mode.

13. The memory system of claim 10 , wherein the first and second on-die termination terminal are input/output terminals.

14. The memory system of claim 10 , wherein a single semiconductor die comprises the first memory device and the second memory device.

15. The memory system of claim 10 , wherein a first semiconductor die comprises the first memory device, and a second semiconductor die comprises the second memory device.

16. The memory system of claim 10 , wherein the second on-die termination terminal is directly electrically coupled to on-die termination circuitry of the second portion of the memory devices without the command decoder intermediated therebetween.

17. The memory system of claim 10 , wherein:

the command decoder of the second portion of the memory system is in a no-power, low-power, or signal-disconnected state; and

the signal does not cause the command decoder to wake from the no-power, low-power, or signal-disconnected state.

18. A method of operating a memory system, comprising:

receiving a signal from a first memory device at an on-die termination terminal of a second memory device instructing the second memory device to enter an on-die termination mode, wherein the signal does not cause a command decoder of the second memory device to consume power by decoding the signal, and

entering, based at least in part on receiving the signal, the on-die termination mode with the second memory device.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein a voltage of the signal indicates an impedance level of the on-die termination mode.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein a duration of the signal indicates an impedance level of the on-die termination mode.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2021
From: STAVE, ERIC J.; KINSLEY, THOMAS H.; PRATHER, MATTHEW A.
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 056183/0944 →