Method and apparatus for optimizing calibrations of a memory subsystem

A method comprising:

• in a memory subsystem including a memory controller coupled to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), initiating a calibration of circuitry in a physical layer of the memory controller;
• responsive to the initiation of the calibration, transmitting a refresh command to the DRAM from input/output (I/O) circuitry of the memory controller;
• responsive to receiving the refresh command, the DRAM performing a refresh concurrent with performing the calibration of the circuitry in the memory controller;
• and
• subsequent to transmitting the refresh command, inhibiting a clock signal provided to and removing power from the I/O circuitry concurrent with performing the refresh and performing a calibration on the circuitry in the physical layer during a remainder of the calibration;
• wherein the state machine is configured to, responsive to a high priority transaction being received by the memory controller, cause the memory to abort a per-bank refresh and conduct an all-bank refresh.

A system comprising:

• a random access memory (DRAM), the DRAM having a plurality of banks;
• a memory controller having an input/output (I/O) circuitry coupled to the DRAM, the memory controller including a state machine configured to:
• initiate a calibration of circuitry in a physical layer of the memory controller;
• transmit a refresh command to the DRAM responsive to initiation of the calibration;
• cause the calibration to be performed concurrent with the refresh;
• and
• subsequent to transmitting the refresh command and concurrent with performance of a calibration on the circuitry in the physical layer and a refresh of the DRAM, cause inhibiting of a clock signal provided to and removal of power from the I/O circuitry for at least a remainder of the calibration;
• wherein the state machine is configured to, responsive to a high priority transaction being received by the memory controller, cause the memory to abort a per-bank refresh and conduct an all-bank refresh.