IP Library Granted Patent US 7,225,097
Granted Patent B2
US 7,225,097 · App. 11/191,418 · Granted May 29, 2007

Methods and apparatus for memory calibration

Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,225,097
App. No.
11/191,418
Granted
May 29, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a first aspect, a first method is provided for adjusting memory system calibration. The first method includes the steps of (1) while in a first operating state, calibrating the memory system using a first amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to memory of the memory system; and (2) while in a second operating state, calibrating the memory system using a second amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to the memory, wherein the second amount of calibration data is smaller than the first amount of calibration data. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims (66)

1. A method of adjusting memory system calibration, comprising:

while in a first operating state, calibrating the memory system using a first amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to memory of the memory system; and

while in a second operating state, calibrating the memory system using a second amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to the memory, wherein the second amount of calibration data is smaller than the first amount of calibration data.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the first amount of calibration data; and

storing the second amount of calibration data.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

in the first operating state, the memory system is initialized; and

in the second operating state, the memory system stores or reads functional data.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein calibrating the memory system using the first amount of calibration data includes:

storing a first set of bit patterns which correspond to respective pins of the memory, wherein each bit pattern is of a first size; and

transmitting the bit patterns to respective pins of the memory.

5. An apparatus for adjusting memory system calibration, comprising:

a first array for storing a first amount of calibration data;

a second array for storing a second amount of calibration data, wherein the second amount of calibration data is smaller than the first amount of calibration data; and

calibration adjustment logic coupled to the first and second arrays;

wherein the calibration adjustment logic is adapted to:

while the memory system operates in a first operating state, calibrate the memory system using the first amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to memory of the memory system; and

while the memory system operates in a second operating state, calibrate the memory system using the second amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to the memory.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the apparatus is adapted to:

store the first amount of calibration data in the first array; and

store the second amount of calibration data in the second array.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

in the first operating state, the memory system is initialized; and

in the second operating state, the memory system stores or reads functional data.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the apparatus is adapted to:

store a first set of bit patterns, which correspond to respective pins of the memory, in the first array, wherein each bit pattern is of a first size; and

transmit the bit patterns to respective pins of the memory.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the apparatus is further adapted to:

store a second set of bit patterns, each of which corresponds to a plurality of pins of the memory, in the second array, wherein each bit pattern is of a second size smaller than the first; and

transmit the bit patterns from the second set to corresponding pins of the memory.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second set includes fewer bit patterns than the first set.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the apparatus is further adapted to transmit the same bit pattern from the second set to non-adjacent pins of the memory.

12. A system for adjusting memory system calibration, comprising:

an apparatus for adjusting memory system calibration having:

a first array for storing a first amount of calibration data;

a second array for storing a second amount of calibration data, wherein the second amount of calibration data is smaller than the first amount of calibration data; and

calibration adjustment logic coupled to the first and second arrays; and

a memory coupled to the apparatus for adjusting memory system calibration;

wherein the calibration adjustment logic is adapted to:

while the memory system operates in a first operating state, calibrate the memory system using the first amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to the memory of the memory system; and

while the memory system operates in a second operating state, calibrate the memory system using the second amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to the memory.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the apparatus is adapted to:

store the first amount of calibration data in the first array; and

store the second amount of calibration data in the second array.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein:

in the first operating state, the memory system is initialized; and

in the second operating state, the memory system stores or reads functional data.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the apparatus is adapted to:

store a first set of bit patterns, which correspond to respective pins of the memory, in the first array, wherein each bit pattern is of a first size; and

transmit the bit patterns to respective pins of the memory.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the apparatus is further adapted to:

store a second set of bit patterns, each of which corresponds to a plurality of pins of the memory, in the second array, wherein each bit pattern is of a second size smaller than the first and the second set includes fewer bit patterns than the first set; and

transmit the bit patterns from the second set to corresponding pins of the memory.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the apparatus is further adapted to transmit the same bit pattern from the second set to non-adjacent pins of the memory.

18. A method of adjusting memory system calibration, comprising:

while in a first operating state, calibrating the memory system using a first amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to memory of the memory system; and

while in a second operating state, calibrating the memory system using a second amount of calibration data so that functional data may be read from and written to the memory, wherein the second amount of calibration data is smaller than the first amount of calibration data;

wherein calibrating the memory system using the first amount of calibration data includes;

storing a first set of bit patterns which correspond to respective pins of the memory, wherein each bit pattern is of a first size; and

transmitting the bit patterns to respective pins of the memory; and

wherein calibrating the memory system using the second amount of calibration data includes:

storing a second set of bit patterns each of which corresponds to a plurality of pins of the memory, wherein each bit pattern is of a second size smaller than the first; and

transmitting the bit patterns from the second set to corresponding pins of the memory.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the second set includes fewer bit patterns than the first set.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein transmitting the bit patterns from the second set to corresponding pins of the memory includes transmitting the same bit pattern from the second set to non-adjacent pins of the memory.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 5, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044127/0735 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2011
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 026664/0866 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 10, 2005
From: GANFIELD, PAUL A.; MCKEVETT, BRIAN M.; OZGUNER, TOLGA
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016626/0694 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070027650A1 · Feb 1, 2007