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US 5,757,712 AGranted
Memory modules with voltage regulation and level translation
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJohann W. Nagel, Mark W. Kellogg, Bruce G. Hazelzet
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Low voltage DRAMs are used on higher voltage memory modules in a way that requires no modification of the DRAMs. "Bus switch" technology and compact low voltage regulators are used at the module level. The low voltage regulator provides a lowered, regulated voltage to DRAMs. The bus switches are used at the inputs and outputs of the DRAMs and effectively protect the DRAM circuitry from voltage swings that could otherwise be damaging.
Claims6
A memory module comprising:
- a printed circuit card including at least a first, higher voltage portion and a second, lower voltage portion;
- a plurality of random access memories mounted on the printed circuit card and connected to the second, lower voltage portion;
- a voltage regulator mounted on the printed circuit card and having an input connected to the first, higher voltage portion and an output connected to the second, lower voltage portion, the voltage regulator providing a regulated lower voltage to the random access memories;
- and
- a plurality of bus switches mounted on the printed circuit card and connected between module pad pins and the inputs and outputs of the random access memories to provide level translation between higher voltage applications and the random access memories, said bus switches limiting voltage swings to the random access memories to a predetermined level.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.