Providing a Ready-Busy Signal From a Non-Volatile Memory Device to a Memory Controller
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorMostafa Naguib Abdulla
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A common standard may be used for both dynamic random access memories and non-volatile memories, despite the fact that the non-volatile memory generally needs bidirectional communications to coordinate writing with a memory controller. In one embodiment, a package connector on the non-volatile memory may be used for one function that does not involve communications with the memory controller during reading and may be used for communications with the memory controller during writing. Particularly, those communications during writing may be to indicate to the memory controller when the memory is ready for writing and when the memory is busy so that a write must be deferred until the memory is ready to be written to.
Claims20
A non-volatile memory comprising:
- a package connector to provide a first function during reading;
- and
- a control to provide a second function different from said first function during a write and to communicate, using said package connector, with the memory controller about whether said memory is ready for a write.
A method comprising:
- using a non-volatile memory package connector, used for a function during reading not involving data communications with a memory controller, for communicating with a memory controller during writing to indicate whether the memory is ready to be written.
An apparatus comprising:
- a memory;
- and
- a multiplexed pin that is used as a ready/busy pin in one mode and for another function in another mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.