IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,841,806
Granted Patent B1
US 9,841,806 · App. 14/706,886 · Granted Dec 12, 2017

Method and system using memory channel load sharing

Inventor: Chris Haywood (Thousand Oaks, CA)
Assignee: Rambus Inc.
G06F1/3275G11C7/1072G11C14/0009
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,841,806
App. No.
14/706,886
Granted
Dec 12, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

A memory load sharing system and method therefor. This system can include a platform VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) coupled to a memory channel with the platform VRM having a platform voltage input. One or more first memory modules can coupled to the platform VRM through the memory channel. Each of the first memory modules includes one or more plane connectors and a module connector, as well as a memory module VRM coupled to a module load sharing diode that is coupled to the one or more plane connectors of that first memory module. The platform VRM is coupled to a first platform load sharing diode that is coupled the plane connectors of each of the first memory modules. This platform is configured to support load sharing between the first memory modules and to provide a predetermined amount of power to each of the memory modules.

Claims (15)

1. A memory load sharing system comprising:

a platform VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) coupled to a memory channel, the platform VRM having a platform voltage input;

one or more first memory modules coupled to the platform VRM through the memory channel,

wherein each of the one or more first memory modules has a first power requirement and includes one or more plane connectors and a module connector,

each of the one or more first memory modules having a memory module VRM coupled to a module load sharing diode that is coupled to the one or more plane connectors of the first memory module; and

wherein the platform VRM is coupled to a first platform load sharing diode that is coupled between the platform VRM and the one or more first memory modules and that is coupled to the one or more plane connectors of each of the one or more first memory modules; and

one or more second memory modules coupled to the platform VRM through the memory channel,

wherein each memory module of the one or more second memory modules has a second power requirement and includes one or more plane connectors and a module connector, where the second power requirement is lower than the first power requirement,

wherein the one or more second memory modules are coupled to the one or more first memory modules via the module connectors of the first and second memory modules, and

wherein the platform VRM is coupled to a second platform load sharing diode that is coupled between the platform VRM and the one or more second memory modules and that is coupled to the one or more plane connectors of each of the one or more second memory modules; and

wherein the platform VRM is configured to support load sharing between the one or more first memory modules and to provide a predetermined amount of power to each of the one or more first memory modules.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more first memory modules comprises one or more high capacity or special function memory modules.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the memory module VRM of each of the one or more first memory modules is configured to provide additional power to a plane of the memory channel to support load sharing between the one or more first memory modules.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more second memory modules comprises low capacity, high capacity, or special function memory modules.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the platform VRM is configured to support load sharing between the one or more first memory modules and the one or more second memory modules and to provide a predetermined amount of power to each of the one or more second memory modules.

Assignments (2)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2017
From: HAYWOOD, CHRIS
To: INPHI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042757/0289 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: INPHI CORPORATION
To: RAMBUS INC.
Reel/Frame 040038/0898 →