IP Library Granted Patent US 7,979,759
Granted Patent B2
US 7,979,759 · App. 12/350,306 · Granted Jul 12, 2011

Test and bring-up of an enhanced cascade interconnect memory system

Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,979,759
App. No.
12/350,306
Granted
Jul 12, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A memory hub device with test logic is configured to communicate with memory devices via multiple hub device ports, and is also configured to communicate on one or more busses in an upstream and downstream direction. The test logic includes a built-in self test apparatus providing logic to simultaneously and independently test the memory devices interfaced to one or more of the hub device ports using read and write data patterns. The test logic also includes configuration registers to hold fault and diagnostic information, and to initiate one or more tests. The memory hub device can further include command collision detection logic, a trace array, buffer transmit mode logic, trigger logic, clock adjustment logic, transparent mode logic, and a configured command sequencer, as well as additional features.

Claims (25)

1. A memory hub device with test logic, the memory hub device configured to communicate with memory devices via multiple hub device ports and configured to communicate on one or more busses in an upstream and downstream direction, the test logic comprising:

a configured command sequencer (CCS) to launch an architected command to a target device configurable between local execution of the architected command at the memory hub device and remote execution at one or more of: a downstream memory hub device and an upstream memory hub device; and

configuration registers to hold fault and diagnostic information, and to initiate one or more tests.

2. The memory hub device of claim 1 wherein the one or more busses in the upstream and downstream directions are comprised of upstream and downstream segments, and the CCS is configured to drive separate multi-bit patterns on the upstream and downstream segments.

3. The memory hub device of claim 1 wherein the CCS configures the memory hub device to initiate testing on a cascaded memory hub device in communication with one or more of: the downstream memory hub device and the upstream memory hub device.

4. A method of testing an enhanced cascade interconnected memory system, comprising:

receiving one or more commands at a memory hub device from one or more of: a downstream bus, an upstream bus, and a service interface;

configuring one or more configuration registers to initiate one or more tests in response to the one or more commands, wherein the one or more commands target one or more of:

memory devices interfaced to two or more hub device ports of the memory hub device as one or more of simultaneous and independent tests;

a downstream memory hub device cascade interconnected to the downstream bus; and

an upstream memory hub device cascade interconnected to the upstream bus; and

reporting one or more results of the one or more tests, wherein a built-in self test (MBIST) apparatus in the memory hub device provides logic to test the memory devices interfaced to the two or more hub device ports using read and write data patterns, and further wherein the memory hub device includes command collision detection (CCD) logic to monitor for timing violations, and set a fault indicator in the configuration registers in response to detecting at least one of the timing violations.

5. A method of testing an enhanced cascade interconnected memory system, comprising:

receiving one or more commands at a memory hub device from one or more of: a downstream bus, an upstream bus, and a service interface;

configuring one or more configuration registers to initiate one or more tests in response to the one or more commands, wherein the one or more commands target one or more of:

memory devices interfaced to two or more hub device ports of the memory hub device as one or more of simultaneous and independent tests;

a downstream memory hub device cascade interconnected to the downstream bus; and

an upstream memory hub device cascade interconnected to the upstream bus; and

reporting one or more results of the one or more tests, wherein the memory hub device further comprises a configured command sequencer (CCS) to launch an architected command in response to the one or more commands to a target device configurable between local execution of the architected command at the memory hub device and remote execution at one or more of: the downstream memory hub device and the upstream memory hub device.

6. A design structure tangibly embodied in a machine-readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, the design structure comprising:

a configured command sequencer (CCS) to launch an architected command to a target device configurable between local execution of the architected command at a memory hub device and remote execution at one or more of: a downstream memory hub device and an upstream memory hub device; and

configuration registers to hold fault and diagnostic information, and to initiate one or more tests.

7. The design structure of claim 6 , wherein the design structure comprises a netlist.

8. The design structure of claim 6 , wherein the design structure resides on a storage medium as a data format used for the exchange of layout data of integrated circuits.

9. The design structure of claim 6 , wherein the design structure resides in a programmable gate array.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
Reel/Frame 056987/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2020
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 054636/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2020
From: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
To: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
Reel/Frame 054633/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 29, 2018
From: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 049490/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2015
From: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. 2 LLC; GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
To: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 036779/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2015
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. 2 LLC
Reel/Frame 036550/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2009
From: CARNEVALE, MICHAEL J.; BRAVO, ELIANNE A.; GOWER, KEVIN C.; VAN HUBEN, GARY A.; ZIEBARTH, DONALD J.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022074/0805 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100174955A1 · Jul 8, 2010