Methods and apparatus for accessing configuration data
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorPaul A. LaBerge
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic system according to various aspects of the present invention includes a memory module configured to operate in multiple modes. The memory module includes at least one connection configured to perform different functions when the memory module is operating in different modes. In one embodiment, the memory operates in a normal mode and an SPD mode. While in SPD mode, the connection performs one or more SPD functions, such as operating as an SMBus interface connection. In normal mode, the connection serves a function associated with normal operation of the module, such as addressing functions.
Claims24
A memory module, comprising:
- a memory configured to store data;
- a supplemental information device configured to store supplemental information;
- an interface connection connected to the memory and the supplemental information device and configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, wherein the interface connection:
- transfers information to or from the memory in the first mode;
- and
- transfers information to or from the supplemental information device in the second mode.
A memory module configured to operate in a serial presence-detect (SPD) mode and a normal mode, comprising:
- a random access memory (RAM) configured to store information at a location characterized by an address datum;
- an SPD device configured to store SPD information;
- and
- an address/SMBus connection connected to the RAM and the SPD device and configured to transfer a datum, wherein:
- the datum is transferred to or from the RAM when the memory module is operating in normal mode for processing as the address datum;
- and
- the datum is transferred as a serial system management bus (SMBus) signal to or from the SPD device when the memory module is operating in SPD mode.
An electronic system having at least two memory modules, wherein each memory module comprises a first connection configured to perform:
- a normal function in a normal mode;
- and
- a configuration function in a configuration mode.
A memory system, comprising:
- a memory controller;
- and
- a memory responsive to the memory controller and comprising a first connection, wherein:
- the memory communicates with the memory controller via the first connection to transfer serial presence detect (SPD) information when the memory is in an SPD mode;
- and
- the memory communicates with the memory controller via the first connection to transfer non-SPD information when the memory is in a normal mode.
A memory module comprising a multi-function connection, wherein at least one of the functions associated with the multi-function connection is an SMBus interface function.
A memory module configured to operate in a normal mode and an SPD mode, wherein:
- the memory module comprises a plurality of interface connections;
- the interface connections are configured to:
- perform a set of memory access functions when the memory module is operating in the normal mode;
- and
- perform a set of SMBus interface functions when the memory module is operating in the SPD mode.
A memory module configured to operate in a normal mode and an SPD mode, comprising a first connection and a second connection, wherein:
- the first and second connections facilitate communication of non-SPD information when the memory module operates in the normal mode;
- and
- the first connection facilitates communication of serial clock for presence-detect signals and the second connection facilitates communication of serial presence-detect data signals when the memory module operates in the SPD mode.
A method for retrieving configuration information for a memory system from the memory system, comprising:
- requesting configuration information from the memory system via a first connection of the memory system while the memory system is in a first mode;
- receiving the configuration information from the memory system via the first connection;
- switching the memory system from the first mode to a second mode;
- and
- accessing a random access memory location in the memory system via the first connection.
A method for powering up an electronic system, comprising:
- providing power to a memory module having an SPD device and a memory;
- placing the memory module of the electronic system in an SPD mode;
- requesting an SPD information from the SPD device via a first connection on the memory module;
- asserting the SPD information via the first connection on the memory module;
- switching the memory module from the SPD mode to a normal mode;
- and
- accessing a memory location in the memory via the first connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.