System and method of improving memory yield in frame buffer memory using failing memory location
AssigneeAltima Communications, Inc.
InventorShrjie Tzeng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is provided for testing buffer memory. The method includes a step of testing a buffer memory having a plurality of memory locations including redundant memory locations, to determine if any of the plurality of memory locations are unusable. Next, an address of an unusable memory location of the plurality of memory locations is determined. Next, the address of the unusable memory location is stored. Next, a use of the unusable memory location is prevented based on the stored address of the unusable memory location.
Claims31
A network device comprising:
- a buffer memory having a plurality of memory locations including redundant memory locations, said memory locations having addresses;
- a plurality of network ports;
- a memory controller coupled to said buffer memory and configured to read and write data from and to said buffer memory;
- a first plurality of fuses coupled to said redundant memory locations of said buffer memory;
- a second plurality of fuses coupled to said memory controller and configured to store an address of a failed memory location of said plurality of memory locations;
- and
- a built-in self test unit coupled to said buffer memory and to said second plurality of fuses, and configured to perform a test of said buffer memory to determine an address of a failed memory location of said plurality of memory locations, and to store said address of said failed memory location in a fuse of said second plurality of fuses;
- and
- wherein said memory controller is configured to prevent a use of said failed memory location based on said address stored in said fuse.
A method for testing buffer memory, said method comprising the steps of:
- testing a buffer memory having a plurality of memory locations including redundant memory locations, to determine if any of said plurality of memory locations are unusable;
- determining an address of a first unusable memory location of said plurality of memory locations;
- storing the address of said first unusable memory location;
- and
- preventing a use of said first unusable memory location based on the stored address of said unusable memory location.
A network device comprising:
- a buffer memory means having a plurality of memory locations including redundant memory locations, said memory locations having addresses;
- a plurality of network ports;
- a memory controller means coupled to said buffer memory and for reading and writing data from and to said buffer memory means;
- a first plurality of fuse means coupled to said redundant memory locations of said buffer memory means;
- a second plurality of fuse means coupled to said memory controller and for storing an address of a failed memory location of said plurality of memory locations;
- and
- a built-in self test means coupled to said buffer memory means and to said second plurality of fuse means, for performing a test of said buffer memory means to determine an address of a failed memory location of said plurality of memory locations, and for storing said address of said failed memory location in a fuse means of said second plurality of fuse means;
- and
- wherein said memory controller means is for preventing a use of said failed memory location based on said address stored in said fuse means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.