Maintenance operations in a DRAM

A method of operation of a memory controller to control a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device that includes a data interface to receive data, and DRAM memory cells, the method comprising:

• transmitting, via a command interface of the memory controller, an operation code to the DRAM device to enable a calibration operation of the data interface of the DRAM device to occur in parallel with a refresh operation of the DRAM memory cells;
• and
• receiving a data pattern, via a data receiver of the memory controller, in connection with the calibration operation, from the data interface of the DRAM device.

A memory controller to control a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device that includes a data interface to receive data, and DRAM memory cells, the memory controller comprising:

• command transmission means to transmit an operation code to the DRAM device to enable a calibration operation of the data interface of the DRAM device to occur in parallel with a refresh operation of the DRAM memory cells;
• and
• data receiving means to receive a data pattern, in connection with the calibration operation, from the data interface of the DRAM device.