Apparatus with signal quality feedback
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorJackson Callaghan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to operations for measuring the quality of a signal received by a memory device and providing feedback. The memory device can sample signal data using a predetermined sequence of timing offsets relative to a reference signal. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device can sample the signal data using a predetermined sequence of reference voltages. The memory device can provide feedback results to a controller regarding the quality of the sampled signal data.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a communication circuit configured to communicate signals with an external controller, wherein the communicated signals include a data pattern from an external controller;
- a logic circuit coupled to the communication circuit and configured to:
- generate first sampling results of the data pattern or a portion thereof using (1) a first reference voltage level and/or (2) a first timing offset value relative to a clock signal;
- and
- generate second sampling results of the data pattern or a different portion thereof using (1) using the first reference voltage level and/or (2) a second timing offset value relative to the clock signal, wherein
- the communication circuit is configured to send the first sampling results and the second sampling results or a representation of the first and second sampling results to the external controller for adjusting a voltage setting and/or a timing associated with subsequently communicated signals.
A memory system, comprising:
- a memory controller;
- a memory array operably coupled to the memory controller and configured to:
- receive a signal pattern from the memory controller;
- generate first sampling results of the signal pattern using (1) a first reference voltage level and (2) a first timing offset value relative to a clock signal;
- generate second sampling results of the signal pattern using (1) the first reference voltage level and (2) a second timing offset value relative to the clock signal;
- and
- send the first sampling results and the second sampling results to the memory controller,
- wherein
- the memory controller and/or the memory are/is configured to adjust a setting for communicating or processing subsequent signals according to the first and second sampling results.
A method of operating an apparatus, the method comprising:
- generating first sampling results of a data pattern or a portion thereof using (1) a first reference voltage level and/or (2) a first timing offset value relative to a clock signal;
- and
- generating second sampling results of the data pattern or a different portion thereof using (1) using the first reference voltage level and/or (2) a second timing offset value relative to the clock signal;
- and
- sending the first sampling results and the second sampling results or a representation of the first and second sampling results to an external controller for adjusting a voltage setting and/or a timing associated with subsequently communicated signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.