Memory module with computation capability
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorDmitri Yudanov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A memory module having a plurality of memory chips, at least one controller (e.g., a central processing unit or special-purpose controller), and at least one interface device configured to communicate input and output data for the memory module. The input and output data bypasses at least one processor (e.g., a central processing unit) of a computing device in which the memory module is installed. And, the at least one interface device can be configured to communicate the input and output data to at least one other memory module in the computing device. Also, the memory module can be one module in a plurality of memory modules of a memory module system.
Claims13
An apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of memory chips;
- at least one special-purpose controller;
- at least one interface device configured to communicate input and output data for the apparatus, wherein the input and output data bypasses at least one processor of a system in which the apparatus is installed;
- a plurality of electrical contacts;
- and
- a printed circuit board (PCB) configured for insertion into at least one memory slot of a motherboard;
- and wherein:
- the plurality of memory chips is coupled to the PCB;
- the plurality of electrical contacts is on each side of the PCB;
- the at least one special-purpose controller is coupled to the PCB;
- and
- the at least one interface device is coupled to the PCB;
- wherein the at least one interface device is configured to communicate the input and output data to at least one other instance of the apparatus;
- wherein the at least one special-purpose controller comprises at least one graphics processing unit (GPU);
- and
- wherein the input and output data bypasses at least one data bus of the system in which the apparatus is installed.
A system, comprising:
- a plurality of dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs), each DIMM of the plurality of DIMMs, comprising:
- a printed circuit board (PCB) configured for insertion into at least one memory slot of an additional PCB that is separate from the plurality of DIMMs;
- a plurality of memory chips coupled to the PCB;
- a plurality of electrical contacts on each side of the PCB;
- at least one special-purpose controller coupled to the PCB;
- and
- at least one interface device configured to communicate input and output data for the DIMM, wherein the input and output data bypasses at least one processor of a computing device in which the system is installed;
- wherein the at least one interface device is configured to communicate the input and output data to at least one other DIMM of the plurality of DIMMs;
- and
- wherein the at least one special-purpose controller of at least one DIMM of the plurality of DIMMs comprises at least one graphics processing unit (GPU).
A memory module, comprising:
- a plurality of memory chips;
- at least one special-purpose controller;
- and
- at least one interface device configured to communicate input and output data for the memory module, wherein the input and output data bypasses at least one processor of a computing device in which the memory module is installed, and wherein the at least one interface device is configured to communicate the input and output data to at least one other memory module in the computing device;
- wherein the at least one special-purpose controller comprises at least one graphics processing unit (GPU);
- and
- wherein the at least one interface device is a network interface device configured to communicate input and output data of the at least one special-purpose controller over one or more communication networks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.