Method and apparatus for using a variable page length in a memory
AssigneeQimonda AG
InventorStephen Bowyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A controller, a memory device including a memory array, and a method for accessing the memory device. The method includes, during a first access, activating a first page of the memory array corresponding to a first row address and accessing data from the first page with a first column address. The method further includes, during a second access, activating a first sub-page of the memory array corresponding to a second row address and accessing data from the first sub-page with a second column address. The activated first sub-page of the memory array is smaller than the first page of the memory array. The method further includes activating a second sub-page without receiving a separate activate command.
Claims27
A method for accessing a memory device comprising a memory array, the method comprising:
- during a first access, activating a first page of the memory array corresponding to a first row address and accessing data from the first page with a first column address;
- during a second access:
- activating a first sub-page of the memory array corresponding to a second row address and accessing data from the first sub-page with a second column address, wherein the activated first sub-page of the memory array is smaller than the first page of the memory array;
- and
- activating a second sub-page without receiving a separate activate command.
A memory device, comprising:
- a memory array;
- and
- circuitry configured to:
- during a first access, activate a first page of the memory array corresponding to a first row address and accessing data from the first page with a first column address;
- during a second access:
- activate a first sub-page of the memory array corresponding to a second row address and accessing data from the first sub-page with a second column address, wherein the activated first sub-page of the memory array is smaller than the first page of the memory array;
- and
- activate a second sub-page without receiving a separate activate command.
A method for accessing a memory device comprising a memory array, the method comprising:
- setting a first page size selected from at least two different page sizes, and then:
- performing a first plurality of access operations with respect to the memory array;
- wherein the pages accessed in the memory array have a size determined by the first page size;
- and
- setting a second page size selected from the at least two different page sizes, wherein the second page size is smaller than the first page size, and then:
- performing a second plurality of access operations with respect to the memory array;
- wherein the pages accessed in the memory array have a size determined by the second page size, and wherein at least one of the pages having the second page size is activated without receiving an activation command.
A method for accessing a memory device comprising a memory array, comprising:
- receiving a first activation command;
- in response to receiving the first activation command, activating a first sub-page of the memory array;
- while the first sub-page of the memory array is activated:
- receiving a second activation command;
- and
- in response to receiving the second activation command, activating a second sub-page of the memory array, wherein the first sub-page and the second sub-page of the memory array are in an active state simultaneously.
A memory device, comprising:
- a memory array;
- and
- circuitry configured to:
- receive a first activation command;
- in response to receiving the first activation command, activate a first sub-page of the memory array;
- while the first sub-page of the memory array is activated:
- receive a second activation command;
- and
- in response to receiving the second activation command, activate a second sub-page of the memory array, wherein the first sub-page and the second sub-page of the memory array are in an active state simultaneously.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.