Memory interface to bridge memory buses
A memory interface to bridge a parallel memory bus and a serial memory bus. A printed circuit board includes at least one memory interface buffer chip to connect an advanced memory buffer (AMB) interface and one or more non-fully buffered memory modules.
1. A printed circuit board, comprising:
at least one memory interface buffer chip to connect an advanced memory buffer (AMB) interface and a parallel memory bus on a motherboard for one or more non-fully buffered memory modules.
2. The printed circuit board of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of memory sockets configured to accept the one or more non-fully buffered memory modules;
a chipset comprising a memory controller with the advanced memory buffer (AMB) interface; and
a central processing unit (CPU) socket coupled to the chipset to accept a microprocessor chip.
3. The printed circuit board of claim 1 , further comprising:
a memory bus to connect the plurality of memory sockets.
4. The printed circuit board of claim 1 , wherein the memory bus comprises a Double Date Rate (DDR) memory bus.
5. A computer system, comprising:
a microprocessor chip;
a core logic chip coupled to the microprocessor chip, the core logic chip comprising a memory controller with an advanced memory buffer (AMB) interface;
a mother board having a parallel memory bus;
one or more non-fully buffered dual in-line memory modules coupled to the parallel memory bus on the mother board; and
a memory interface buffer chip coupled between the advanced memory buffer (AMB) interface and the parallel memory bus for the one or more non-fully buffered dual in-line memory modules.
6. The computer system of claim 5 , further comprising:
one or more fully buffered dual in-line memory modules coupled to the memory interface buffer chip.
7. The computer system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more fully buffered dual in-line memory modules is coupled between the memory interface buffer chip and the advanced memory buffer (AMB) interface.
8. A circuit, comprising:
a transceiver to bridge a parallel memory bus and a serial memory bus; and
a protocol converter coupled to the transceiver to translate control signals received from a memory controller of the serial memory bus to control signals for the parallel memory bus;
wherein the serial memory bus is connected to an Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) interface of a memory controller;
wherein the parallel memory bus is a double data rate (DDR) memory bus on a motherboard.
9. The circuit of claim 8 , wherein the circuit is implemented on a single integrated circuit chip.
10. The circuit of claim 8 , wherein the serial memory bus is connected to an Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) of a fully buffered memory module.
11. A circuit, comprising:
a transceiver to bridge a parallel memory bus and a serial memory bus; and
a protocol converter coupled to the transceiver to translate control signals received from a memory controller of the serial memory bus to control signals for the parallel memory bus;
wherein the transceiver comprises:
a pseudo differential digital logic circuit to convert an input to the transceiver into a differential digital output.
12. The circuit of claim 11 , wherein the pseudo differential digital logic circuit is implemented using Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS).
13. The circuit of claim 12 , further comprising:
an adaptive power-supply regulator coupled with the pseudo differential digital logic circuit to adaptively adjust a power supply of the pseudo differential digital logic circuit.
14. The circuit of claim 12 , wherein the pseudo differential digital logic circuit comprises:
two logic units each of which is one of: a buffer and an inverter; and
a common mode feedback (CMFB) circuit coupled to the two logic units, the CMFB circuit to receive outputs of the two logic units and adjust the two logic units according to a common mode detected from the outputs of the two logic units to suppress command mode.
15. The circuit of claim 12 , wherein the pseudo differential digital logic circuit comprises:
two logic units each of which is one of: a buffer and an inverter; and
a cross couple circuit coupled to the two logic units, the cross couple circuit to cross couple outputs of the two logic units to suppress command mode in the outputs of the two logic units.
16. The circuit of claim 12 , wherein the pseudo differential digital logic circuit comprises:
two logic units each of which is one of: a buffer and an inverter; and
a clock synchronization circuit coupled to the two logic units to synchronize timing of outputs of the two logic units.