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Protocol for communication with dynamic memory
   
Document Number
US Patent 6470405
Issued Date
October 22, 2002
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Abstract
A system and method for performing data transfers within a computer system is provided. The system includes a controller configured to dynamically adjust the interleave of the communications required to perform a series of data transfer operations to maximize utilization of the channel over which the communications are to be performed. The controller is able to vary the time interval between the transmission of control information that requests a data transfer and the performance of the data transfer by signaling the beginning of the data transfer with a strobe signal sent separate from the control information. The controller is able to defer the determination of how much data will be transferred in the operation by initiating the termination of a data transfer with a termination signal. The method provides a technique for distinguishing between identical control signals that are carried on the same line. The system includes a memory device with control circuitry that allows no more than one memory bank powered by any given power supply line to perform sense or precharge operations.
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Number of Claims:
37
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Owner
Rambus Inc. (Los Altos, CA)
Published
October 22, 2002
Application Number
09/870,322
Filed
May 29, 2001
US Classification
710/100   710/107
Int'l Classification
G11C   7/10   (20060101)   G11C   8/00   (20060101)   G11C   7/22   (20060101)   G11C   7/00   (20060101)   G11C   8/12   (20060101)   G11C   5/06   (20060101)   G06F   13/16   (20060101)  
Examiner
Attorney/Law Firm
Parent Case
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/561,868, filed on May 1, 2000 (pending); which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/480,767, filed on Jan. 10, 2000 (pending); which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/979,402 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,688), filed on Nov. 26, 1997; which is a division of application Ser. No. 08/545,292 filed on Oct. 19, 1995 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,914).
USPTO Field of Search
710/100   710/107  
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