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US 7,218,566 B1Granted
Power management of memory via wake/sleep cycles
AssigneeNetwork Applicance, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Totolos, Jr., Scott M. Westbrook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of managing power states of memory modules while performing memory access operations is discussed. Memory modules are in a power saving state until an access operation involving the module is to be performed. The module is placed in an operational mode, then the access operation is performed, then the module is returned to the power saving state.
Claims6
A method comprising:
- placing a plurality of memory modules into a power-saving state when the modules are idle;
- receiving a first memory access request when the memory modules are idle;
- identifying a first one of the memory modules as a target of the first memory access request;
- powering up only the first one of the memory modules from the power-saving state to a normal power state;
- servicing the first memory access request after powering up only the first one of the memory modules;
- receiving a second memory access request after receiving the first memory access request;
- identifying a second one of the memory modules as a target of the second memory access request;
- powering up the second one of the memory modules from the power-saving state to a normal power state after beginning to service the first memory access request;
- returning the first one of the memory modules to the power-saving state after servicing the first memory access request;
- and
- servicing the second memory access request after powering up the second one of the memory modules.
8 more elements
A method of servicing a plurality of requests to access a plurality of memory modules, the method comprising:
- transferring data to or from a current memory module according to a current access request;
- and
- switching a next memory module from a low power state to an operational power state in preparation for transferring data to or from the next memory module according to a next access request,
- wherein the transferring and switching operations occur concurrently.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.