IP Library Granted Patent US 12,347,521
Granted Patent B2
US 12,347,521 · App. 18/434,418 · Granted Jul 1, 2025

Time delay indication for host in memory system

Inventors: Robert Nasry Hasbun (San Jose, CA); Dean D. Gans (Nampa, ID); Sharookh Daruwalla (San Ramon, CA)
G11C7/22G06F13/36G11C7/10G06F13/1689
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,347,521
App. No.
18/434,418
Granted
Jul 1, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for a latency indication in a memory system or sub-system are described. An interface controller of a memory system may transmit an indication of a time delay (e.g., a wait signal) to a host in response to receiving an access command from the host. The interface controller may transmit such an indication when a latency associated with performing the access command is likely to be greater than a latency anticipated by the host. The interface controller may determine a time delay based on a status of buffer or a status of memory device, or both. The interface controller may use a pin designated and configured to transmit a command or control information to the host when transmitting a signal including an indication of a time delay. The interface controller may use a quantity, duration, or pattern of pulses to indicate a duration of a time delay.

Claims (36)

1. A memory system, comprising:

one or more memory devices; and

one or more controllers coupled with the one or more memory devices and configured to cause the memory system to:

receive, from a host, an access command;

output, based at least in part on receiving the access command, a signal that indicates the host is to observe a time delay before the host issues a subsequent access command; and

receive the subsequent access command after the time delay, wherein the access command is for a set of data and the subsequent access command is for the set of data or a different set of data.

2. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein the access command comprises a write command for the one or more memory devices.

3. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein a duration for the time delay is preconfigured at the host, and wherein the subsequent access command is received based at least in part on the preconfigured duration expiring.

4. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein the signal indicates a duration of the time delay, and wherein the subsequent access command is transmitted based at least in part on the duration expiring.

5. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to cause the memory system to:

transmit, after transmitting the signal, a second signal that indicates a duration of the time delay, wherein the subsequent access command is transmitted based at least in part on the duration expiring.

6. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein the signal comprises a pulse with a first duration, and wherein a duration for the time delay is based at least in part on a second duration associated with the first duration.

7. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein the signal comprises a set of one or more pulses, each pulse of the set of one or more pulses associated with a respective logic value of one or more logic values, and wherein a duration for the time delay is based at least in part on the one or more logic values.

8. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein the signal comprises a pulse, and wherein a duration of the time delay is based at least in part on a duration of the pulse.

9. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein the signal comprises a set of one or more pulses, and wherein a duration for the time delay is based at least in part on an amount of time associated with each pulse of the set of one or more pulses.

10. The memory system of claim 1 , wherein the time delay has a first duration, and wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to cause the memory system to:

receive a second access command after receiving the subsequent access command; and

transmit, based at least in part on receiving the second access command, a second signal that indicates the host is to observe a second time delay before the host issues another access command, wherein the second time delay has a second duration different than the first duration.

11. The memory system of claim 8 , wherein the duration of the time delay is equal to the duration of the pulse.

12. The memory system of claim 9 , wherein the duration for the time delay is determined based at least in part on a quantity of the set of one or more pulses.

13. A method, comprising:

receiving, from a host, an access command;

outputting, based at least in part on receiving the access command, a signal that indicates the host to observe a time delay before the host issues a subsequent access command; and

receiving the subsequent access command after the time delay, wherein the access command is for a set of data and the subsequent access command is for the set of data or a different set of data.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the access command comprises a write command.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein a duration for the time delay is preconfigured at the host, and wherein the subsequent access command is received based at least in part on the preconfigured duration expiring.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the signal indicates a duration of the time delay, and wherein the subsequent access command is transmitted based at least in part on the duration expiring.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

transmitting, after transmitting the signal, a second signal that indicates a duration of the time delay, wherein the subsequent access command is transmitted based at least in part on the duration expiring.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to:

receive, from a host, an access command;

output, base at least in part on receiving the access command, a signal that indicates the host to observe a time delay before the host issues a subsequent access command; and

receive the subsequent access command after the time delay, wherein the access command is for a set of data and the subsequent access command is for the set of data or a different set of data.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the access command comprises a write command.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein a duration for the time delay is preconfigured at the host, and wherein the subsequent access command is received based at least in part on the preconfigured duration expiring.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2024
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: LODESTAR LICENSING GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 069237/0602 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17727283 · Apr 22, 2022
Continuation 16886109 · May 28, 2020
Continuation 15975621 · May 9, 2018
Related Publication 20240177752A1 · May 30, 2024
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