Memory module having an open-drain output for parity error and for training sequences

A method of operation in a host system having a memory controller, comprising:

• at a memory module coupled to the memory controller, the memory module including a printed circuit board, a module controller on the printed circuit board, and dynamic random access memory elements on the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board having edge connections that fit into a corresponding slot of the host system so as to be in electrical communication with the memory controller, the edge connections including first edge connections, second edge connections, and an error edge connection in addition to the first edge connections and the second edge connections, the module controller including a transistor having an open drain coupled to the error edge connection, a source coupled to ground, and a gate;
• receiving, at the module controller, address and control signals associated with one or more normal memory read or write operations from the memory controller via the first edge connections;
• outputting or receiving data signals at the dynamic random access memory elements in accordance with the address and control signals, the data signals being associated with the one or more normal memory read or write operations and communicated with the memory controller via the second edge connections;
• applying a first signal to the gate of the transistor to indicate a parity error having occurred during one of the one or more normal memory read or write operations;
• performing training operations associated with one or more training sequences when the dynamic random access memory elements are not accessed for any normal memory read or write operations;
• and
• applying a second signal related to the one or more training sequences to the gate of the transistor while the memory module performs the training operations.

A memory module operable with a memory controller of a host system, comprising:

• a printed circuit board having edge connections that fit into a corresponding slot of the host system so as to be in electrical communication with the memory controller, the edge connections including first edge connections, second edge connections, and an error edge connection in addition to the first edge connections and the second edge connections;
• a module controller on the printed circuit board and configured to receive from the memory controller via the first edge connections address and control signals associated with normal memory read or write operations;
• and
• dynamic random access memory elements on the printed circuit board and configured to communicate data signals with the memory controller via the second edge connections in accordance with the address and control signals;
• and
• wherein the module controller includes a transistor having an open drain coupled to the error edge connection, a source coupled to ground, and a gate;
• wherein the module controller is configured to apply a first signal to the gate of the transistor to indicate a parity error having occurred when the memory module is being accessed for a normal memory read or write operation;
• wherein the module controller is further configured to apply a second signal related to one or more training sequences to the gate of the transistor when the memory module performs operations associated with the one or more training sequences and when the dynamic random access memory elements are not accessed for any normal memory read or write operations;
• wherein the first signal drives the gate of the transistor high to provide a low impedance path between the error edge connection and ground;
• wherein the second signal drives the gate of the transistor high so as to drive the error edge connection to a low impedance state, and drives the gate of the transistor low so as to drive the error edge connection to a high impedance state;
• wherein the module controller comprises an integrated circuit that includes the transistor;
• and
• wherein the integrated circuit further includes a multiplexor or logic circuit having an output coupled to the gate of the transistor, a first input to receive the first signal, and a second input to receive the second signal, and wherein the module controller is configured to couple the first input to the output during the normal memory read or write operation, and to couple the second input to the output during the operations associated with the one or more training sequences.