US 6,556,495 B2 · 2-D FIFO memory having full-width read/write capability

Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed for selecting data in a FIFO memory array made up of a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, where each row of cells has an associated number of word lines selectively addressable by an associated row address, and each column of cells has an associated bit line that provides access to the memory cells of the associated column as enabled by the respective word lines; and the memory array includes an address decoder having an address input for receiving an input address for selecting word lines in accordance with the input address, and a programmable-width vertical pointer for providing read and write input addresses to the address input of the address decoder during associated read and write operations of the memory array, where the programmable-width vertical pointer modifies the read and write addresses during operations of the memory array and provides a FIFO memory functionality.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method of processing data in FIFO memory, the method comprising:

receiving a first group of data;
directing different portions of the first group of data to different one-dimensional FIFO memory bank, the different one-dimensional FIFO memory barks being part of an array of one-dimensional FIFO memory banks;
updating a write pointer to indicate a next one-dimensional FIFO memory bank in the array of one-dimensional FIFO memory banks;
receiving a second group of data;
and
directing at least a portion of the second group of data to the next one-dimensional FIFO memory bank indicated by the write pointer.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

2-D FIFO memory having full-width read/write capability

Life of this patent

2-D FIFO memory having full-width read/write capability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27