IP Library Granted Patent US 12,423,010
Granted Patent B2
US 12,423,010 · App. 18/444,215 · Granted Sep 23, 2025

Memory devices with multiple sets of latencies and methods for operating the same

Inventors: Dean D. Gans (Nampa, ID); Yoshiro Riho (Tokyo, JP); Shunichi Saito (Kanagawa, JP); Osamu Nagashima (Tokyo, JP)
G06F3/0634G06F3/0604G06F3/0611G06F3/0673G06F13/16G11C7/1045G11C2207/2272
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,423,010
App. No.
18/444,215
Granted
Sep 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with multiple sets of latencies are disclosed. A memory device or system that includes a memory device may be operable with one or several sets of latencies (e.g., read, write, or write recovery latencies), and the memory device or system may apply a set of latencies depending on which features of the memory device are enabled. For example, control circuitry may be configured to enable one or more features during operations on a memory array, and the control circuitry may apply a set of latency values based on a number or type of features that are enabled. The sets of latency values may depend, for example, on whether various control features (e.g., dynamic voltage frequency scaling) are enabled, and a device may operate within certain frequency ranges irrespective of other characteristics (e.g., mode register values) or latencies applied.

Claims (44)

1. A method of operating a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, comprising:

determining a quantity of operating features that are enabled from a plurality of operating features supported by the DRAM device, the quantity of enabled operating features comprising a byte mode feature associated with operation of the DRAM device, a read data copy feature associated with operation of the DRAM device, or both;

selecting a set of latency values from a plurality of sets of latency values based at least in part on the quantity of operating features that are enabled, wherein the plurality of sets of latency values is selected based at least in part on whether dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is disabled or enabled at the DRAM device;

selecting a latency value from the set of latency values based at least in part on a value of a mode register; and

executing a read command based at least in part on the selected latency value.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of sets of latency values comprises a plurality of first values associated with the DVFS being enabled; and

a second plurality of sets of latency values comprises a plurality of second values, different than the plurality of first values, that are associated with the DVFS being disabled.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the value of the mode register comprises a four-bit value that indicates the latency value from the set of latency values.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of latency values comprises a plurality of latency values that each correspond to a respective mode register setting from a plurality of mode register settings of the DRAM device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the value of the mode register is associated with a lower limit for a clock signal and an upper limit for the clock signal.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

operating the DRAM device at a frequency that is greater than or equal to the lower limit for the clock signal and that is less than or equal to the upper limit for the clock signal.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

setting the value of the mode register based at least in part on the lower limit for the clock signal and the upper limit for the clock signal.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of latency values comprises a plurality of latency values that each correspond to a clock ratio from a plurality of clock ratios of the DRAM device.

9. A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, comprising:

one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and

one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the DRAM device to:

determine a quantity of operating features that are enabled from a plurality of operating features supported by the DRAM device, the quantity of enabled operating features comprising a byte mode feature associated with operation of the DRAM device, a read data copy feature associated with operation of the DRAM device, or both;

select a set of latency values from a plurality of sets of latency values based at least in part on the quantity of operating features that are enabled, wherein the plurality of sets of latency values is selected based at least in part on whether dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is disabled or enabled at the DRAM device;

select a latency value from the set of latency values based at least in part on a value of a mode register; and

execute a read command based at least in part on the selected latency value.

10. The DRAM device of claim 9 , wherein:

the plurality of sets of latency values comprises a plurality of first values associated with the DVFS being enabled; and

a second plurality of sets of latency values comprises a plurality of second values, different than the plurality of first values, associated with the DVFS being disabled.

11. The DRAM device of claim 9 , wherein the value of the mode register comprises a four-bit value that indicates the latency value from the set of latency values.

12. The DRAM device of claim 9 , wherein the set of latency values comprises a plurality of latency values that each correspond to a respective mode register setting from a plurality of mode register settings of the DRAM device.

13. The DRAM device of claim 9 , wherein the value of the mode register is associated with a lower limit for a clock signal and an upper limit for the clock signal.

14. The DRAM device of claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the DRAM device to:

operate the DRAM device at a frequency that is greater than or equal to the lower limit for the clock signal and that is less than or equal to the upper limit for the clock signal.

15. The DRAM device of claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the DRAM device to:

set the value of the mode register based at least in part on the lower limit for the clock signal and the upper limit for the clock signal.

16. The DRAM device of claim 9 , wherein the set of latency values comprises a plurality of latency values that each correspond to a clock ratio from a plurality of clock ratios of the DRAM device.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to:

determine a quantity of operating features that are enabled from a plurality of operating features supported by a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, the quantity of enabled operating features comprising a byte mode feature associated with operation of the DRAM device, a read data copy feature associated with operation of the DRAM device, or both;

select a set of latency values from a plurality of sets of latency values based at least in part on the quantity of operating features that are enabled, wherein the plurality of sets of latency values is selected based at least in part on whether dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is disabled or enabled at the DRAM device;

select a latency value from the set of latency values based at least in part on a value of a mode register; and

execute a read command based at least in part on the selected latency value.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein:

the plurality of sets of latency values comprises a plurality of first values associated with the DVFS being enabled; and

a second plurality of sets of latency values comprises a plurality of second values, different than the plurality of first values, associated with the DVFS being disabled.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the value of the mode register comprises a four-bit value that indicates the latency value from the set of latency values.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the set of latency values comprises a plurality of latency values that each correspond to a respective mode register setting from a plurality of mode register settings of the DRAM device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2025
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: LODESTAR LICENSING GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 069911/0433 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17392085 · Aug 2, 2021
Continuation 16543467 · Aug 16, 2019
Continuation 16048078 · Jul 27, 2018
Continuation 15798083 · Oct 30, 2017
Related Publication 20240184467A1 · Jun 6, 2024
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