Implementing signal integrity fail recovery and mainline calibration for DRAM
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsStephen P. Glancy, Jeremy R. Neaton, Anuwat Saetow, Jacob D. Sloat
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Abstract
A method, system and memory controller are provided for implementing signal integrity fail recovery and mainline calibration for Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM). After identifying a failed DRAM, the DRAM is marked as bad and taken out of mainline operation. Characterization tests and periodic calibrations are run to evaluate optimal settings and to determine if the marked DRAM is recoverable. If recoverable, the marked DRAM chip is redeployed. If unrecoverable, error reporting is provided to the user.
Claims20
A method for implementing signal integrity (SI) fail recovery and mainline calibration for Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) comprising:
- detecting a signal integrity (SI) fail for a DRAM, marking the DRAM as failed and taking the marked DRAM out of mainline operation;
- running characterization tests and periodic calibrations to evaluate optimal settings and to determine if the marked DRAM is recoverable;
- responsive to identifying a recoverable DRAM, redeploying the marked DRAM to mainline operation;
- and
- responsive to identifying an unrecoverable DRAM, reporting an error to a user.
A memory system for implementing signal integrity fail recovery and mainline calibration for Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) comprising:
- a memory controller,
- said memory controller mainline engine detecting a signal integrity fail for a DRAM, marking the DRAM as failed and taking the marked DRAM out of mainline operation;
- said memory controller running characterization tests and periodic calibrations to evaluate optimal settings and to determine if the marked DRAM is recoverable;
- said memory controller responsive to a recoverable DRAM, redeploying the marked DRAM to mainline operation;
- and
- said memory controller responsive to an unrecoverable DRAM, reporting an error to a user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.