US 7,457,897 B1 · PCI express-compatible controller and interface for flash memory

Abstract

A PCI Express-compatible flash device can include one or more flash memory modules, a controller, and an ExpressCard interface. The controller can advantageously provide PCI Express functionality as well as flash memory operations, e.g. writing, reading, or erasing, using the ExpressCard interface. A PIO interface includes sending first and second memory request packets to the flash device. The first memory request packet includes a command word setting that prepares the flash device for the desired operation. The second memory request packet triggers the operation and includes a data payload, if needed. A DMA interface includes sending the second memory request from the flash device to the host, thereby triggering the host to release the system bus for the DMA operation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of performing an operation on a flash device, the operation being requested by a host separate from the flash device, the operation being PCI Express-compatible, the method comprising:

sending a first memory request from the host to the flash device, wherein the first memory request includes a command word setting in a header,
wherein the command word setting indicates the operation to be performed on the flash device, and
wherein the first memory request further includes memory mapped I/O addresses in the header, the memory mapped I/O addresses comprising a command word port and a data value port.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/803,597Filed 17 Mar 2004

Granted

25 Nov 2008

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G06F 13/1684
Details of memory controller: using multiple buses
G11C 13/0004
Using resistive RAM [RRAM] elements: comprising amorphous/crystalline phase transition cells
G11C 16/102
Programming or data input circuits: external programming circuits, e.g. EPROM programmers; In-circuit programming or reprogramming; EPROM emulators
G11C 2216/30
Reading and writing aspects of erasable programmable read-only memories: reduction of number of input/output pins by using a serial interface to…

PCI express-compatible controller and interface for flash memory

Life of this patent

PCI express-compatible controller and interface for flash memory

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20