Sockets for module extension and memory system using same

[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent Ser. No. 09/978,497, filed on Oct. 16, 2001, now pending, which is claim priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2000-60705, filed Oct. 16, 2000, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a wiring connection apparatus of an electronic device, and more particularly, to a socket, occupying a small area of a printed circuit board (PCB), enabling a plurality of modules to be easily extended, and a memory system using the socket.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Computer systems often require graphics of high quality, requiring that the integration density and speed of a semiconductor memory device must be increased and the size of a semiconductor memory device must be reduced. A memory module changes corresponding to the changes in the semiconductor memory device. In particular, since a greater amount of memory than the amount used in conventional technology is required for real time processing of three dimensional data, a greater number of memory module boards must be loaded on a main board.

[0006] FIG. 1 shows a first example of conventional sockets loaded on a printed circuit board (PCB) and memory modules connected to the sockets. A PCB 10 includes two conventional sockets 11 and 12 installed to be parallel with each other and two conventional memory modules 13 and 14 loaded on the sockets 11 and 12.

[0007] The memory modules 13 and 14 connected to the two conventional sockets 11 and 12 are connected to a central processing unit (not shown) in parallel through a plurality of data bus lines 15 and a plurality of signal lines 16.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows a second example of conventional sockets loaded on a PCB and memory modules connected to the sockets. The PCB 10 includes two conventional sockets 11 and 12 installed to be parallel with each other on the PCB 10 and two memory modules 23 and 24 connected to the conventional sockets 11 and 12.

[0009] The memory modules 23 and 24 connected to the sockets 11 and 12 are serially connected to the CPU (not shown) through the plurality of data bus lines 15 and the plurality of signal lines 16. In this example, the memory modules 23 and 24 are formed so that the data bus lines 15 and signal lines 16 run up along on one side and down the opposite side via a path (indicated by the solid-and-dotted lines).

[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B are sectional views showing base sockets for loading memory modules used in a conventional PCB. FIG. 3A shows a base socket where the memory module is loaded parallel to the PCB. FIG. 3B shows a base socket where the memory module is loaded perpendicular to the PCB.

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the base sockets are attached to a PCB 34 by soldering socket fixing means 32 included in the base sockets.

[0012] The base sockets include socket bodies 30a and 30b and two socket conductors 33 for connecting the contacts of both surfaces of a memory module board 31. The two socket conductors 33 pass through the insides of the socket bodies 30a and 30b and are connected to corresponding printed circuit patterns (not shown) of the PCB 34.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3B, the number of memory modules used in a conventional system board is restricted by the number of sockets loaded on the system board (that is, the PCB) and installed so as to connect to the memory modules. When four sockets are loaded, the number of memory modules that can be loaded is restricted to four. The number of memory modules cannot be increased or decreased. When a user needs to use only two memory modules, the remaining two sockets are wasted.

[0014] Therefore, when a significantly large number of sockets for the memory modules are installed, the size of the PCB is large. When a small number of sockets for the memory modules are installed, it is difficult to extend memory capacity.

[0015] The present disclosure provides a through socket and a turn around socket, designed to extend a plurality of memory modules without increasing the size of a printed circuit board (PCB). The disclosure further provides a memory system for extending a plurality of memory modules using the sockets.

[0016] A through socket includes a socket body, arranged to load first and second memory modules, and a first conductor, arranged to connect a contact on one surface of the first memory module to a contact on one surface of the second memory module. The through socket further comprises a second conductor arranged to connect a contact on the other surface of the first memory module to a contact on the other surface of the second memory module.

[0017] A turn around socket comprises a socket body arranged to load a first memory module, and a first conductor arranged to connect a contact on one surface of the first memory module to a contact on the other surface of the first memory module.

[0018] A memory system according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of memory modules. At least one through socket is provided for electrically connecting at least two memory modules of the plurality of memory modules. As well, the memory system further includes at least one turn around socket for electrically connecting at least one surface of one of the plurality of memory modules to the other surface of the same memory module.

[0019] A memory module adapted for use in the present memory system comprises a printed circuit board having first and second surfaces and first and second ends. A plurality of memory devices are loaded on the first and second surfaces of the memory module. Four contacts are arranged at the first and second ends of the first and second surfaces of the memory module, the contacts being operative as electrical paths.

[0020] The present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which the same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element.

[0037] A through socket according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in sectional side view in FIG. 4. The through socket includes a socket body 400 for loading a first memory module 41 and a second memory module 42 in opposite directions. A first socket conductor 401 electrically connects a contact located on one surface of the first memory module 41 to a contact located on one surface of the second memory module 42 by passing through the socket body 400. A second socket conductor 402 electrically connects a contact located on the other surface of the first memory module 41 to a contact located on the other surface of the second memory module 42 by passing through the socket body 400.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the through socket includes a socket body 500 for loading a first memory module 51 and a second memory module 52 in the same direction. A first socket conductor 501 electrically connects a contact located on one surface of the first memory module 51 to a contact located on one surface of the second memory module 52 by passing through the socket body 500. A second socket conductor 502 electrically connects a contact located on the other surface of the first memory module 51 to a contact located on the other surface of the second memory module 52 by passing through the socket body 500.

[0039] A third through socket embodiment is shown in sectional view in FIG. 6. The through socket includes a socket body 600 for loading a first memory module 61, a second memory module 62, and a third memory module 63 in the same direction. A first socket conductor 601 electrically connects a contact located on one surface of the first memory module 61 to a contact located on one surface of the third memory module 63 by passing through the socket body 600. A second socket conductor 602 electrically connects a contact located on the other surface of the first memory module 61 to a contact located on one surface of the second memory module 62 by passing through the socket body 600. A third socket conductor 603 electrically connects a contact located on the other surface of the second memory module 62 to a contact located on the other surface of the third memory module 63. The advantage of the daisy-chain configuration of the electrical connections, as exemplified in FIG. 6, is discussed in the several applied examples, below.

[0040] A turn around socket according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7. The turn around socket includes a socket body 700 for loading a memory module 71 and a first socket conductor 701 for electrically connecting the contacts of both sides of the memory module 71 by passing through the socket body 700.

[0041] Referring to a second embodiment turn around socket (FIG. 8), the turn around socket similarly includes a socket body 800 for loading a first memory module 81 and a second memory module 82 in the same direction, a first socket conductor 801 for electrically connecting the contacts of both surfaces of the first memory module 81 by passing through the socket body 800, and a second socket conductor 802 for electrically self-connecting the contacts of both surfaces of the second memory modules 82 by passing through the socket body 800.

[0042] FIG. 9A is a sectional side view showing a first applied example of the first embodiment of the through socket and the first embodiment of the turn around socket. FIG. 9B diagrams the electrical connection of the first applied example shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C is a perspective view showing the first applied example on a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0043] Turning now to FIG. 9A, the first applied example comprises a first memory module 91 loaded in a base socket 30a installed on a PCB 34. The first memory module 91 is connected to a second memory module 92 by a through socket 400. A turn around socket 700 is loaded on the upper portion of the second memory module 92.

[0044] In the first applied example (FIG. 9A), memory groups MG1 through MG4 are electrically and serially connected to each other in the following order: MG1, MG3, MG4, and MG2 (FIG. 9B). An electrical connection in the reverse order is also possible. Memory groups MG1 through MG4 refer to the set of a plurality of memories loaded on both surfaces of the memory modules.

[0045] In use, a first memory module 91 is loaded in a base socket loaded on a PCB 10 (FIG. 9C). The through socket 400 is installed between the first memory module 91 and the second memory module 92. The turn around socket 700 is loaded on the upper portion of the second memory module 92.

[0046] In a second applied example (FIG. 10A), the first memory module 91 is loaded in a base socket 30b installed on a PCB 34. The first memory module 91 is connected to the second memory module 92 by the through socket 400. The turn around socket 700 is loaded at one end of the second memory module 92.

[0047] In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, the memory groups MG1 through MG4 are electrically and serially connected to each other in the following order: MG2, MG4, MG3, and MG1 (FIG. 10B). An electrical connection in the reverse order is also possible.

[0048] FIG. 11A shows a third applied example of the second embodiment of the through socket and the first embodiment of the turn around socket. In this applied example, the first memory module 91 is loaded in a base socket 30b installed on the PCB 34. The first memory module 91 is connected to the second memory module 92 by a through socket 500. The turn around socket 700 is loaded at one end of the second memory module 92.

[0049] FIG. 11B shows the electrical connection of the third applied example shown in FIG. 11A. The memory groups MG1 through MG4 are electrically and serially connected to each other in the following order: MG1, MG4, MG3, and MG2. An electrical connection in the reverse order is also possible.

[0050] The first, second and third applied examples disclose various methods for loading two memory modules on a PCB in a vertical direction, horizontal direction, and horizontal and vertical directions, respectively.

[0051] The present sockets and memory system can also be utilized to load three memory modules, as shown in a fourth applied example of the first embodiment of two through sockets and the first embodiment of the turn around socket (FIG. 12A). In the fourth applied example, a first memory module 121 is loaded in the base socket 30a installed on the PCB 34. The first memory module 121 is connected to a second memory module 122 by a through socket 400-1, and the second memory module 122 is connected to a third memory module 123 by a connection socket 400-2. The turn around socket 700 is loaded at one end of the third memory module 123.

[0052] The electrical connection of the fourth applied example, above, is shown in FIG. 12B. Memory groups MG5 through MG10 are electrically and serially connected in the following order: MG5, MG7, MG9, MG10, MG8, and MG6. An electrical connection in the reverse order is also possible.

[0053] Similarly, FIG. 13A shows a fifth applied example of the first embodiment of two through sockets and the first embodiment of the turn around socket. FIG. 13B diagrams the electrical connection of the fifth applied example shown in FIG. 13A.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 13A, in the fifth applied example, the first memory module 121 is loaded in the base socket 30b installed on the PCB 34. The first memory module 121 is connected to the second memory module 122 by the through socket 400-1, and the second memory module 122 is connected to the third memory module 123 by the through socket 400-2. The turn around socket 700 is loaded at one end of the third memory module 123.

[0055] In the fifth applied example, memory groups MG5 through MG10 are electrically and serially connected in the following order: MG6, MG8, MG10, MG9, MG7, and MG5 (FIG. 13B). An electrical connection in the reverse order is also possible.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 14A, in the sixth applied example, the first memory module 121 is loaded in the base socket 30b installed on the PCB 34. The first memory module 121 is connected to the second memory module 122 by a through socket 500-1, and the second memory module 122 is connected to the third memory module 123 by a through socket 500-2. The turn around socket 700 is loaded at one end of the third memory module 123. The contacts of the memory modules loaded in sockets 500-1 and 500-2 are connected in a daisy-chain configuration.

[0057] FIG. 14B shows the electrical connection of the sixth applied example shown in FIG. 14A. In the sixth applied example shown in FIG. 14A, memory groups MG5 through MG10 are electrically and serially connected to each other in the following order: MG5, MG8, MG9, MG10, MG7, and MG6. It should be apparent that an electrical connection in the reverse order is also possible.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 12A through FIG. 14B, the fourth through sixth applied examples disclose various methods of loading three memory modules on the PCB in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, since the plurality of through sockets and memory modules are serially connected, it is theoretically possible to infinitely extend the memory modules.

[0060] A seventh applied example of the second embodiment of the through socket, the third embodiment of the through socket, and the second embodiment of the turn around socket is shown in FIG. 15A. In the seventh applied example, a first memory module 151 is loaded in the base socket 30b installed on the PCB 34. The first memory module 151 is connected to a second memory module 152 by a through socket 500. The second memory module 152 is loaded in the lower stage of a through socket 600. A third memory module 153 is loaded in the middle stage of the through socket 600 and in the lower stage of the turn around socket 800. The fourth memory module 154 is loaded in the other stage of the turn around socket 800 and the upper stage of the third through socket 600. The contacts of the memory modules loaded in sockets 500 and 600 are connected in a daisy-chain configuration.

[0061] FIG. 15B shows the electrical connection of the seventh applied example shown in FIG. 15A. Memory groups MG11 through MG18 are electrically and serially connected to each other in the following order: MG11, MG14, MG15, MG16, MG17, MG18, MG13, and MG12. As with other applied examples described above, an electrical connection in the reverse order is likewise possible.

[0062] Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. Accordingly, such changes and modifications are considered to fall within the scope of the following claims.