Methods and apparatus for synchronizing communication with a memory controller
AssigneeRambus Inc.
InventorsScott C. Best, Richard E. Warmke, David B. Roberts, Frank Lambrecht
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A memory controller receives data and phase-providing signals from a memory device. The phase-providing signal is not a clock signal, but is used by the memory controller to phase align a local data-sampling signal with the incoming data. The memory controller samples the data signal with the data-sampling signal. The memory controller can perform maintenance operations to update the phase relationship between the phase-providing and data-sampling signals.
Claims21
(canceled)
A memory interface for an integrated circuit controller device, the memory interface comprising:
- a strobe line to receive a strobe signal;
- a phase detector coupled to the strobe line, the phase detector being used to phase lock a free-running clock signal to the strobe signal;
- a data line to receive a read signal;
- and
- a receiver coupled to the data line, the receiver to sample the read signal responsive to the free-running clock signal.
A method for capturing read data at a memory interface of an integrated circuit controller device, the method comprising:
- receiving a strobe signal, the strobe signal conveying phase information;
- adjusting a free-running clock signal in accordance with the phase information;
- receiving a read-data signal;
- and
- sampling the read-data signal with the free-running clock signal.
A system comprising:
- a memory device integrated circuit to issue a strobe signal and a read-data signal;
- traces to convey the strobe signal and the read-data signal from the memory device;
- and
- a second integrated circuit having a memory interface coupled to the memory device integrated circuit via the traces, the memory interface including:
- a strobe line to receive the strobe signal;
- a phase detector coupled to the strobe line, the phase detector being used to phase lock a free-running clock signal to the strobe signal;
- a data line to receive a read signal;
- and
- a receiver coupled to the data line, the receiver to sample the read signal responsive to the free-running clock signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.