Memory controller enabling dual-mode access to memory module
The application discloses a memory controller coupled to a memory module for controlling access to the memory module, wherein the memory module comprises one or more memory groups each having a plurality of memory blocks, and the memory controller comprising: a registering clock driver coupled to the memory module for providing to the memory module a data access command so as to control access to the memory module; one or more data buffers coupled to the registering clock driver, and each data buffer coupled to a memory group via a memory group data interface; wherein at least one of the memory group data interfaces comprises a plurality of data buses each coupled to one or more memory blocks of the memory group that the memory group data interface coupled to, such that the memory group can exchange data with the data buffer via the plurality of data buses under the control of the registering clock driver.
1. A memory controller coupled to a memory module for controlling access to the memory module, wherein the memory module comprises one or more memory groups each having a plurality of memory blocks, the memory controller comprising:
a registering clock driver coupled to the memory module for providing to the memory module a data access command so as to control access to the memory module; and
one or more data buffers coupled to the registering clock driver, and each data buffer coupled to a memory group via a memory group data interface, wherein at least one of the memory group data interfaces comprises a plurality of data buses each coupled to one or more memory blocks of the memory group that the memory group data interface is coupled to, such that the memory group can exchange data with the data buffer via the plurality of data buses under the control of the registering clock driver;
wherein the registering clock driver comprises a configuration unit, and the registering clock driver and the data buffer operate in a first mode or a second mode based on a state of the configuration unit, wherein:
in the first mode, the registering clock driver receives the data access command from a host controller and is responsive to the data access command to allow access to the memory module by the host controller via the data buffer; and
in the second mode, the registering clock driver generates the data access command to instruct the data buffer to access the memory module according to the data access command.
2. The memory controller of claim 1 , wherein the registering clock driver is configured to receive state control information from the host controller via a command/address bus and to configure the state of the configuration unit according to the state control information.
3. The memory controller of claim 1 , wherein the registering clock driver is coupled to the host controller via a SMBus interface, and the host controller is configured to change or read the state of the configuration unit in the registering clock driver via the SMBus interface.
4. The memory controller of claim 1 , wherein the data buffer is coupled to the registering clock driver and is configured to receive an operation command from the registering clock driver, and the operation command is for instructing the data buffer to operate in the first mode or in the second mode.
5. The memory controller of claim 4 , wherein the data buffer comprises a logic control unit, a multiplexing unit and a first computing unit, and wherein
the logic control unit is configured to receive the operation command from the registering clock driver, wherein
the logic control unit is configured to control the multiplexing unit to exchange data between the one or more memory blocks and the host controller when the operation command indicates that the registering clock driver and the data buffer are operating in the first mode; and
the logic control unit is configured to control the multiplexing unit to exchange data between the one or more memory blocks and the first computing unit when the operation command indicates that the registering clock driver and the data buffer are operating in the second mode.
6. The memory controller of claim 4 , wherein the data buffer comprises a logic control unit and a multiplexing unit, and the registering clock driver comprises a computing unit coupled to the multiplexing units of each data buffer, wherein
the logic control unit is configured to receive the operation command from the registering clock driver, and wherein
the logic control unit is configured to control the multiplexing unit to exchange data between the one or more memory blocks and the host controller when the operation command indicates that the registering clock driver and the data buffer are operating in the first mode; and
the logic control unit is configured to control the multiplexing unit to exchange data between the one or more memory blocks and the computing unit when the operation command indicates that the registering clock driver and the data buffer are operating in the second mode.
7. The memory controller of claim 5 , wherein the registering clock driver comprises a second computing unit coupled to the multiplexing units of each data buffer, and
the logic control unit is further configured to control the multiplexing unit to exchange data between the one or more memory blocks and the second computing unit when the operation command indicates that the registering clock driver and the data buffer are operating in the second mode.
8. A memory system comprising a memory module and a memory controller coupled to the memory module for controlling access to the memory module, wherein the memory module comprises one or more memory groups each having a plurality of memory blocks, and wherein the memory controller comprises:
a registering clock driver coupled to the memory module for providing to the memory module a data access command so as to control access to the memory module; and
one or more data buffers coupled to the registering clock driver, and each data buffer coupled to a memory group via a memory group data interface, wherein at least one of the memory group data interfaces comprises a plurality of data buses each coupled to one or more memory blocks of the memory group that the memory group data interface is coupled to, such that the memory group can exchange data with the data buffer via the plurality of data buses under the control of the registering clock driver;
wherein the registering clock driver comprises a configuration unit, and the registering clock driver and the data buffer operate in a first mode or a second mode based on a state of the configuration unit, wherein:
in the first mode, the registering clock driver receives the data access command from a host controller and is responsive to the data access command to allow access to the memory module by the host controller via the data buffer; and
in the second mode, the registering clock driver generates the data access command to instruct the data buffer to access the memory module according to the data access command.
9. A computer system comprising the memory system of claim 8 .