Multi-purpose signaling for a memory system
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorsJames Brian Johnson, Brent Keeth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices for multi-purpose signaling for a memory system are described. One or more signal paths of between a host device and a memory device may be configured to support shared pathways between multiple channels and to support multiple functions. For example, a signal path may be configured to communicate a state signal for an initialization sequence of the memory device, an error signal for the memory device to indicate that errors have occurred, or a low-power signal for the host device to request that the memory device enter a low-power mode, or a combination thereof. The signal path may be shared between two or more channels of the memory device.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- receiving, by a memory device operating in a first mode associated with an initialization sequence and over a signal path associated with channels of the memory device, a first signal for indicating that the memory device transition from a first state of the initialization sequence to a second state of the initialization sequence;
- entering, by the memory device, a second mode associated with storing data for a host device based at least in part on receiving the first signal;
- receiving, by the memory device operating in the second mode and over the signal path, a second signal for indicating to the memory device to enter a low-power mode;
- and
- entering, by the memory device, the low-power mode based at least in part on receiving the second signal.
A method, comprising:
- transmitting, by a host device as part of an initialization sequence and over a signal path associated with channels of a memory device, a first signal for indicating to the memory device to transition from a first state of the initialization sequence to a second state of the initialization sequence;
- identifying, by the host device, that the initialization sequence for the memory device is complete based at least in part on transmitting the first signal;
- and
- transmitting, by the host device over the signal path, a second signal for indicating to the memory device to enter a low-power mode.
An apparatus, comprising:
- an array of memory cells;
- an interface operable to couple the array of memory cells with a host device using a plurality of channels, the interface comprising a pin shared between a first channel and a second channel of the plurality of channels and operable to couple with a signal path, the pin for communicating;
- a first type of signal associated with an initialization sequence during a first mode of operation and for indicating to transition from a first state of the initialization sequence to a second state of the initialization sequence;
- and
- a second type of signal for indicating to the apparatus to enter a low-power mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.