Dynamic segment sparing and repair in a memory system

[0001] This invention relates generally to computer memory systems, and more particularly to providing dynamic segment sparing and repair in a memory system.

[0002] Contemporary high performance computing main memory systems are generally composed of one or more dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices, which are connected to one or more processors via one or more memory control elements. Overall computer system performance is affected by each of the key elements of the computer structure, including the performance/structure of the processor(s), any memory cache(s), the input/output (I/O) subsystem(s), the efficiency of the memory control function(s), the main memory device(s), and the type and structure of the memory interconnect interface(s).

[0003] Extensive research and development efforts are invested by the industry, on an ongoing basis, to create improved and/or innovative solutions to maximizing overall system performance and density by improving the memory system/subsystem design and/or structure. High-availability systems present further challenges as related to overall system reliability due to customer expectations that new computer systems will markedly surpass existing systems in regard to mean-time-between-failure (MTBF), in addition to offering additional functions, increased performance, increased storage, lower operating costs, etc. Other frequent customer requirements further exacerbate the memory system design challenges, and include such items as ease of upgrade and reduced system environmental impact (such as space, power and cooling).

[0004] An exemplary embodiment is a communication interface device that includes drive-side switching logic including driver multiplexers to select driver data for transmitting on link segments of a bus, and receive-side switching logic including receiver multiplexers to select received data from the link segments of the bus. The bus includes multiple data link segments, a clock link segment, and at least two spare link segments selectable by the drive-side switching logic and the receive-side switching logic to replace one or more of the data link segments and the clock link segment.

[0005] Another exemplary embodiment is a memory system with a memory controller including drive-side switching logic that includes driver multiplexers to select driver data for transmitting on link segments of a bus, and a memory hub device in communication with the memory controller via the bus. The memory hub device includes receive-side switching logic that includes receiver multiplexers to select received data from the link segments of the bus. The bus includes multiple data link segments, a clock link segment, and at least two spare link segments selectable by the drive-side switching logic and the receive-side switching logic to replace one or more of the data link segments and the clock link segment.

[0006] A further exemplary embodiment is a method for providing dynamic segment sparing and repair in a memory system. The method includes determining that an error exists on a link segment of a bus between a driver and a receiver in the memory system, where the bus includes multiple data link segments, a clock link segment, and at least two spare link segments to communicate memory access commands. The method further includes selecting driver data via driver multiplexers at the driver to transmit on selected link segments of the bus, switching out one or more of the data link segments and the clock link segment. The method additionally includes selecting received data from the bus via receiver multiplexers at the receiver corresponding to the selected link segments.

[0007] An additional exemplary embodiment is a design structure tangibly embodied in a machine-readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit. The design structure includes drive-side switching logic including driver multiplexers to select driver data for transmitting on link segments of a bus, and receive-side switching logic including receiver multiplexers to select received data from the link segments of the bus. The bus includes multiple data link segments, a clock link segment, and at least two spare link segments selectable by the drive-side switching logic and the receive-side switching logic to replace one or more of the data link segments and the clock link segment.

[0008] Other systems, methods, apparatuses, design structures and/or computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, apparatuses, design structures and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

[0018] As large computer systems become increasing more complex, the number of interconnections between integrated circuits or chips in the computer systems also increases. The number of interconnections, for example between a microprocessor to memory, the microprocessor to other microprocessors, the microprocessors to cache or I/O chips, are increasing to the point where today's large computer systems may have tens of thousands of interconnections between chips within the system. These signals can be carried on metal wires from a transmit chip through a chip carrier, to cards and/or boards, possibly through several connectors to a receiver chip on a second carrier. All of the interconnections and signals should be manufactured and remain defect free over the life of the product; otherwise, a system failure can occur. A single failure or latent defect typically impacts part or all of the computer system's operation.

[0019] At component manufacturing test, if some amount of defects can be tolerated without requiring the component to be scrapped, a significant amount of scrap cost can be reduced. In an exemplary embodiment, if a defect does occur over time (during the life of the product), the computer system diagnoses the failure and dynamically reconfigures signals around the defect to maintain operation without loss of performance or function. This may apply to any chip-to-chip interface (i.e., a bus) within a computer or a computer system that sends data, control, or address information to communicate, such as a memory bus in a memory system. Dynamic segment sparing and repair of bus segments, such as segments of a cascade interconnected memory system are provided. Spare segments that can rapidly replace either a failed data signal or a failed clock further enhance system reliability in accommodating failed bus segments.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, bus interconnections between physical devices, such as communication interface devices, can repair themselves with multiple failures present (including manufacturing defects) or even a defect in a clock segment of the bus. This allows multiple defects to exist while enabling the system to maintain normal operation. Applying dynamic segment sparing to a high-speed cascade interconnected memory system can improve the reliability of the memory system as failures in different segments between cascaded devices are accommodated, including data link segments and clock link segments.

[0021] Turning now to FIG. 1, an example of a memory system 100 that includes fully buffered dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) communicating via high-speed upstream and downstream links using dynamic segment sparing and repair is depicted. The memory system 100 may be incorporated in a host processing system as main memory for the processing system. The memory system 100 includes a number of DIMMs 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d with memory hub devices 104 communicating via a cascade-interconnected bus 106. The DIMMs 103a-103d can include multiple memory devices 109, which may be double data rate (DDR) dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices, as well as other components known in the art, e.g., resistors, capacitors, etc. The memory devices 109 are also referred to as DRAM 109 or DDRx 109, as any version of DDR may be included on the DIMMs 103a-103d, e.g., DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, etc. A memory controller 110 interfaces with DIMM 103a, sending commands, address and data values via the bus 106 that may target any of the DIMMs 103a-103d. If a DIMM receives a command that is not intended for it, the DIMM redrives the command to the next DIMM in the daisy chain (e.g., DIMM 103a redrives to DIMM 103b, DIMM 103b redrives to DIMM 103c, etc.). The commands, address and data values may be formatted as frames and serialized for transmission at a high data rate, e.g., stepped up in data rate by a factor of four; thus, transmission of commands, address and data values is also generically referred to as “data” or “high-speed data”.

[0022] The memory controller 110 includes drive-side switching logic (DSL) 112 and receive-side switching logic (RSL) 114 to control the assignment of specific signals to segments of the bus 106. The bus 106 includes downstream link segments 116 and upstream link segments 118 as unidirectional links between devices in communication over the bus 106. Connections between each DIMM 103a-103d, as well as between DIMM 103a and memory controller 110 are referred to as “link segments” or “segments”. A communication path across multiple bus segments, such as spanning from the memory controller 110 to DIMM 103d, is referred to as a “bus lane” (e.g., bit 0 on all of the downstream link segments 116). To reduce susceptibility to noise and other coupling interference, differential-ended signaling may be used for all bit lanes of the bus 106, including one or more differential-ended clocks. In an exemplary embodiment, the downstream link segments 116 and the upstream link segments 118 each include 2 spare link segments that can be used to dynamically repair a failed link segment by switching signal assignments such that one or both of the spare link segments become active. Link segment error registers (LSERs) 120 in the memory controller 110 and the memory hub devices 104 can be used to identify link segment errors and make spare lane selections in the DSL 112 and RSL 114. The DSL 112 can drive signals on either the downstream link segments 116 or the upstream link segments 118, while the RSL 114 receives signals on either the downstream link segments 116 or the upstream link segments 118. Each memory hub device 104 may include a DSL 112/RSL 114 pair for driving and receiving communications on the downstream link segments 116 and a second DSL 112/RSL 114 pair for upstream link segments 118 of the bus 106. Thus, since the memory controller 110 and the memory hub devices 104 can include one or more of the DSL 112 and RSL 114, they represent examples of apparatuses for practicing the invention.

[0023] Although only a single memory channel is shown in FIG. 1 connecting the memory controller 110 to a single memory device hub 104, systems produced with these modules may include more than one discrete memory channel from the memory controller, with each of the memory channels operated singly (when a single channel is populated with modules) or in parallel (when two or more channels are populated with modules) to achieve the desired system functionality and/or performance. Moreover, any number of lanes can be included in the bus 106. For example, the downstream link segments 116 can include 13 bit lanes, 2 spare lanes and a clock lane, while the upstream link segments 118 may include 20 bit lanes, 2 spare lanes and a clock lane.

[0024] FIG. 2 depicts the memory system 100 of FIG. 1 with specific upstream and downstream segments identified for dynamic segment sparing and repair. In FIG. 2, the memory controller 110 is incorporated in host processing system 200 and is cascade interconnected to DIMM 103a via downstream link segments 116 and upstream link segments 118 to memory hub device 104 on the DIMM 103a. It can also be seen in FIG. 2 that the DIMM 103a, as well as DIMMs 103b-d may be dual sided, having memory devices 109 on both sides of the modules. Initially, all downstream and upstream lanes are powered-on, tested and aligned during initialization, but defective lanes and unneeded (unused) spares are deactivated during normal run-time operation. System control software, such as firmware can be used to determine transitions between testing bit lanes and selecting bit lanes for repair, which may be performed as part of a memory system initialization and configuration process prior to commencing normal operation. For example, each memory hub device 104 and the memory controller 110 can cycle through training states to detect errors on bit lanes and/or clocks of the downstream link segments 116 and the upstream link segments 118. Each training state can be divided into specific tasks to be performed prior to achieving a normal high-speed mode of operation. For instance, training states may include clock detection and repair (TS0), configuration and calibration (TS1), downstream lane training and repair (TS2), and upstream lane training and repair (TS3).

[0025] When a hard failure in any link segment is detected, a spare link segement is activated and replaces the defective link segment in the downstream link segments 116 or the upstream link segments 118. The memory system communication format, error detection and protocols are the same before and after spare lane invocation. Each segment of the downstream link segments 116 and the upstream link segments 118 can independently deploy their dedicated spares on a per link basis. This maximizes the ability to survive multiple interconnect hard failures. For instance, link segments 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, and 216 are highlighted as examples of link segments that could be replaced by spare link segments to maintain normal operation. The drive-side switching and receive-side switching are performed independently in each upstream and downstream direction.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the spare lanes are tested and aligned during initialization and deactivated during normal run-time operation. Sparing (switching out a failed link segment) can be performed during initialization based on previous lane failure data. Spare link segments can also be selected dynamically by hardware during run-time as part of error recovery. The error recovery may include re-initialization and repair of links by switching out a failed link. The memory controller 110 can initiate and perform error recovery rapidly to a prevent system timeout, e.g., less than 10 milliseconds. System control software running on the host processing system 200 can load LSERs 120 of FIG. 1 in the memory controller 110 and memory hub devices 104 to control selection of signals for each link segment.

[0027] A failed link can be detected using a variety of techniques. For example, during initialization one or more patterns can be sent on the downstream link segments 116 and upstream link segments 118 to verify that received patterns match the transmitted patterns. During normal operation, an error correcting code (ECC) or other error detection and/or correction technique can be used to detect a failure. Once a failed link is detected, the memory system 100 may initiate one or more retry operations to confirm the failure, and then revert to a training state to isolate the specific failed link segment. Repair and re-initialization operations can be performed if any retry operation fails. The memory hub devices 104 may also indirectly initiate memory channel repair and re-initialization in response to detecting a persistent error that is not corrected via a retry from the memory controller 110.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, greater detail of the DSL 112 and the RSL 114 of FIG. 1 is depicted. For purposes of explanation the DSL 112 and the RSL 114 of FIG. 3 are assumed to be in communication from the DSL 112 to the RSL 114, e.g., DSL 112 of memory controller 110 and RSL 114 of DIMM 103a connected via downstream link segments 116. The DSL 112 includes multiple 3-to-1 driver multiplexers (muxes) 302, and the RSL 114 includes multiple 3-to-1 receiver muxes 304. The driver muxes 302 control switching of specific bits of driver data 306 to driver bus data 308, which is output on bus 106. Similarly, the receiver muxes 304 control switching of specific receiver bus data 310 received via the bus 106 and output the results as received data 312 that can be used by the memory controller 110 or one of the memory hub devices 104. In the example depicted in FIG. 3, 13 bits of driver data 306 are routed in groups of three to 15 driver muxes 302. The output of the 15 driver muxes 302 includes 2 spare signals that may be a redundant version of one or two bits of the driver data 306. The receiver bus data 310 includes 15 bits that correspond to the driver bus data 308 when no errors are present. The receiver muxes 304 select 13 of the 15 bits of the receiver bus data 310 to output as 13 bits of received data 312. The LSERs 120 interfaced to the DSL 112 and the RSL 114 control selection of specific bits at each of the driver muxes 302 and the receiver muxes 304 respectively.

[0029] Initially, in the absence of any defects, the control signals to the driver muxes 302 and the receiver muxes 304 are set to all zero, selecting the 0 inputs. Referring to FIG. 4, the first row 402 indicates bit selections for normal operation. In this example, spare segments sp1 404 and sp0 406 are powered down (unused) to save power. Subsequent rows depict examples of bit pairs, where one link segment is considered to be bad, resulting in a shift to steer the data from the defective link segment to a functional link segment. A similar mux control vector on the receive side selects all zero inputs to the receiver muxes 304. For example, if bit 12 is determined to be bad then the mux controls in the LSERs 120 are set to zeros on the driver muxes 302 for muxes 0 through 11 and mux 13 is set to a 1. This action steers lane 12 data down link segment 13 of the bus 106, which could be a downstream link segment 116 or an upstream link segment 118. On the receive side, muxes 0-11 of the receiver muxes 304 remain unchanged (set to zero) and bit 12 (mux 12 of the receiver muxes 304) is set to a 1 to steer link segment 13 on the bus 106 to bit 12 of the received data 312. The shift in position is depicted in bit selection pair 408.

[0030] Similar to the case with bit 12, if bit (link segment 11 of the lane) 11 is determined to be defective, then the mux controls are set to zeros on the driver muxes 302 for muxes 0-10 and mux 12 and mux 13 are set to a 1. This action steers link segment 11 data down link segment 12 and steers link segment 12 data down link segment 13 of the bus 106. On the receive side, muxes 0-10 of the receiver muxes 304 remain unchanged (set to zero) and bit 11 (mux 11 of the receiver muxes 304) is set to a 1 to steer link segment 12 on the bus 106 to bit 11 and similarly mux 12 of the receiver muxes 304 is set to a 1 to steer bit 13 to link segment 12. The shift in position is depicted in bit selection pair 410. This process can performed using any bit pairs, e.g., bit pairs 412, 414, down to bit pair 416.

[0031] In a similar way any bad or defective link segment can be steered to the adjacent link segment and all signals further down or upstream (depending on the specific defective link segment) from the defect can be shifted by one link segment as well. If both link segments 11 and 12 are defective, then both spares sp1 404 and sp0 406 are employed. In this case, mux 14 is set to a logical 2, mux 13 to a logical 1, and muxes 0-10 are kept at their normal logic zero on the driver muxes 302. This action steers bit 12 down link segment 14 and bit 11 down link segment 13. On the receiver muxes 304, mux 12 is set to a logical 2, mux 11 is set to a logical 1, and all other muxes are set to a logical 0. This action steers bit 11 and bit 12 from link segments 13 and 14 back to their correct bit positions. Hence, two defects can be corrected. These two defect may haved occurred at any point in the lifecycle of the memory system, e.g., during manufacturing or normal operation.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the mux controls (LSERs 120) are typically not changed during normal operation since altering the signal paths in real time requires precise timing and coordination between both ends of the link when operating at high speed. A bad link segment may be identified prior to functional operation, during an initialization or power on procedure where specific patterns are transmitted down each lane and checked on the received side for proper operation. If during the initialization process a defective link segment is identified, it can be spared out using one of the available spares. A bad link segment may also be detected during functional operation. Using an ECC, for example, the bad link segment can be spared out in a relatively short period of time, avoiding full re-initialization, to allow the defective signal (or signals) to be re-routed and spare bits utilized. The bus 106 can then be brought back online, and functional operation returns. This may utilize a subset of training states. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, link errors are detected in functional operation with no isolation mechanism present, and hence the link is prompted to reinitialize. It is during the reinitialization process, where predetermined patterns are sent down each link segment and the link segments are interrogated as good or bad, that the defective link segment may be discovered and repaired.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, if any of the link segments are assigned as a bus clock then the bus clock can also be repaired. FIG. 5 depicts DSL 502 in communication with RSM 504 via link segments 506. The DSL 502 drives data bits, such as bit n 508, bit n+1 510, bit n+2 512, bit n+3 514, etc., through driver muxes 516, driver latches 518, and line drivers 520 to the link segments 506. Each of the driver muxes 516 can select from multiple signals to drive, as one of the data bits 508-514, a clock 522, or one of the spares 524 and 526. The selection of signals controlling the driver muxes 516 is driven by configuration signals of the LSERs 528 (e.g., config bit n 530, config clk 532, config bit n+1 534, config bit a 536, config bit b 538, config spare 540 and config spare 542).

[0034] On the receive side at RSL 504, the link segments 506 are coupled to receiver circuits 544, which may amplify and otherwise condition the signals received. To support clock sparing, link segments 506 that can carry a clock signal may be driven into receiver muxes 546 without latching and prior to clock distribution 548. This avoids duplication of the clock distribution 548, which distributes the received clock, for example in the memory controller 110 or in a memory hub device 104. Detection of a defective clock can be performed using similar approaches as for bad data link segments. For example, during initialization the clock can be tested looking across multiple data lanes for global functionality or be redriven and sent to another chip (a memory hub device 104) with a known good clock to be tested. During normal operation multiple bad bits across the bus 106 may indicate a clock problem and prompt a clock repair. As part of the initialization, the clock may be swapped out or tested. A defective clock may be shifted directly to a spare link segment or can be shifted to an adjacent link segment with subsequent data link segments shifted to utilize one of the spare link segments. For data or spare bits, such as bit n 550, bit n+1 552, bit n+2 554, bit n+3 556 and spares 558 and 560, received signals on the receiver circuits 544 are buffered using receiver latches 562 prior to the receiver muxes 546. The selection of signals controlling the receiver muxes 546 is driven by configuration signals of LSERs 564 (e.g., config bit a 566, config bit b 568, config spare 570 and config spare 572). While the receiver muxes 546 are depicted as 2 input muxes, they are effectively made into higher order muxes by staging multiple receiver muxes 546.

[0035] FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of the memory hub device 104 of FIG. 1 with additional detail, including a link interface 604 for providing means to re-synchronize, translate and re-drive high speed memory access information to associated DRAM devices 109 and/or to re-drive the information downstream on memory bus 106 as applicable based on the memory system protocol. The memory hub device 104 supports multiple ranks (e.g., rank 0 601 and rank 1 616) of DRAM 109 as separate groupings of memory devices using a common hub. The link interface 604 includes LSERs 120, DSLs 112 and RSLs 114 to support dynamic segment sparing and repair in upstream and downstream directions on memory bus 106. Data and clock link segments are received by the link interface 604 from an upstream memory hub device 104 or from memory controller 110 (directly or via an upstream memory hub device 104) via the memory bus 106. Memory device data interface 615 manages a technology-specific data interface with the memory devices 109 and controls bi-directional memory data bus 608. The memory hub control 613 responds to access request packets by responsively driving the memory device technology-specific address and control bus 614 (for memory devices in rank 0 601) or address and control bus 614′ (for memory devices in rank 1 616) and directing read data flow 607 and write data flow 610 selectors. The link interface 604 decodes the packets and directs the address and command information directed to the memory hub device 104 to the memory hub control 613. Memory write data from the link interface 604 can be temporarily stored in the write data queue 611 or directly driven to the memory devices 109 via the write data flow selector 610 and internal bus 612, and then sent via internal bus 609 and memory device data interface 615 to memory device data bus 608. Memory read data from memory device(s) 109 can be queued in the read data queue 606 or directly transferred to the link interface 604 via internal bus 605 and read data selector 607, to be transmitted on the upstream bus 106 as a read reply packet.

[0036] While FIG. 1 depicts the memory system 100 as cascade interconnected, the scope of the invention is not limited to cascade interconnected memory systems. For example, the architecture depicted in FIG. 6 may be planar or integrated on a DIMM. The memory hub device 104 can communicate with memory devices 109 on industry standard registered, buffered, or unbuffered DIMMs via busses 608 and 614, regardless of whether or not one or more of the memory hub device 104 are physically located on the DIMMs. Furthermore, a single instance of the bus 106 can exist between the memory hub device 104 and the memory controller 110 with further cascaded instances of the bus 106 omitted within the scope of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 7 depicts a process 700 for providing dynamic segment sparing and repair in a memory system that may be implemented as described in reference to FIGS. 1-6. For example, the process 700 may be implemented in the memory controller 110 and/or the memory hub devices 104 of FIG. 1 as communication interface devices. At block 702, the memory controller 110 or one of the memory hub devices 104 determines whether an error exists on a link segment of the bus 106 between a driver (DSL 112) and a receiver (RSL 114) in the memory system 100, where the bus 106 includes multiple data link segments, a clock link segment, and at least two spare link segments to communicate memory access commands. Link segments, such as link segments 506 of FIG. 5, may be data link segments for communicating data bits (e.g., bit n 508, bit n+1 510, etc.), a clock link segment for sending a bus clock (e.g., clock 522), or spare link segments (e.g., spares 524 and 526) to replace defective data or clock link segments.

[0038] At block 704, the DSL 112 selects driver data 306 of FIG. 3 via driver muxes 302 to transmit on selected link segments of the bus 106, switching out one or more of the data link segments and the clock link segment. The LSERs 120 can be used to assign signals to specific link segments. Control logic, such as memory hub control 613 of FIG. 6, may set and clear values in the LSERs 120, as well as control transitions through initialization training states to a high-speed mode of operation and re-initialization.

[0039] At block 706, the RSL 114 selects received data 312 from the bus 106 via receiver muxes 304 corresponding to the selected link segments. The LSERs 120 can be used to select specific link segments. The driver muxes 302 and the receiver muxes 304 may be configured upon initialization in response to a pattern transmitted on the bus 106 to detect one or more defective link segments with respect to a second communication interface device, such as another memory hub device 104 on a DIMM. The driver muxes 302 and the receiver muxes 304 can be configured to switch out a defective link segment upon detecting the defective link segment during a high-speed mode of bus operation when the defective link segment is identified during the high-speed mode, providing rapid recovery. However, if only a general communication error is identified without isolating the defect to a specific link segment during normal operation, then the initialization can be repeated to isolate the defective link segment using a pattern transmitted on the bus 106. To conserver power, unused link segments can be depowered, including a defective link segment, once identified. Unused link segments can also be used for other functions, such as sending out-of-band communication and/or test signals.

[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates multiple such design structures including an input design structure 820 that is preferably processed by a design process 810. Design structure 820 may be a logical simulation design structure generated and processed by design process 810 to produce a logically equivalent functional representation of a hardware device. Design structure 820 may also or alternatively comprise data and/or program instructions that when processed by design process 810, generate a functional representation of the physical structure of a hardware device. Whether representing functional and/or structural design features, design structure 820 may be generated using electronic computer-aided design (ECAD) such as implemented by a core developer/designer. When encoded on a machine-readable data transmission, gate array, or storage medium, design structure 820 may be accessed and processed by one or more hardware and/or software modules within design process 810 to simulate or otherwise functionally represent an electronic component, circuit, electronic or logic module, apparatus, device, or system such as those shown in FIGS. 1-7. As such, design structure 820 may comprise files or other data structures including human and/or machine-readable source code, compiled structures, and computer-executable code structures that when processed by a design or simulation data processing system, functionally simulate or otherwise represent circuits or other levels of hardware logic design. Such data structures may include hardware-description language (HDL) design entities or other data structures conforming to and/or compatible with lower-level HDL design languages such as Verilog and VHDL, and/or higher level design languages such as C or C++.

[0041] Design process 810 preferably employs and incorporates hardware and/or software modules for synthesizing, translating, or otherwise processing a design/simulation functional equivalent of the components, circuits, devices, or logic structures shown in FIGS. 1-7 to generate a netlist 880 which may contain design structures such as design structure 820. Netlist 880 may comprise, for example, compiled or otherwise processed data structures representing a list of wires, discrete components, logic gates, control circuits, I/O devices, models, etc. that describes the connections to other elements and circuits in an integrated circuit design. Netlist 880 may be synthesized using an iterative process in which netlist 880 is resynthesized one or more times depending on design specifications and parameters for the device. As with other design structure types described herein, netlist 880 may be recorded on a machine-readable data storage medium or programmed into a programmable gate array. The medium may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a magnetic or optical disk drive, a programmable gate array, a compact flash, or other flash memory. Additionally, or in the alternative, the medium may be a system or cache memory, buffer space, or electrically or optically conductive devices and materials on which data packets may be transmitted and intermediately stored via the Internet, or other networking suitable means.

[0042] Design process 810 may include hardware and software modules for processing a variety of input data structure types including netlist 880. Such data structure types may reside, for example, within library elements 830 and include a set of commonly used elements, circuits, and devices, including models, layouts, and symbolic representations, for a given manufacturing technology (e.g., different technology nodes, 32 nm, 45 nm, 90 nm, etc.). The data structure types may further include design specifications 840, characterization data 850, verification data 860, design rules 870, and test data files 885 which may include input test patterns, output test results, and other testing information. Design process 810 may further include, for example, standard mechanical design processes such as stress analysis, thermal analysis, mechanical event simulation, process simulation for operations such as casting, molding, and die press forming, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art of mechanical design can appreciate the extent of possible mechanical design tools and applications used in design process 810 without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. Design process 810 may also include modules for performing standard circuit design processes such as timing analysis, verification, design rule checking, place and route operations, etc.

[0043] Design process 810 employs and incorporates logic and physical design tools such as HDL compilers and simulation model build tools to process design structure 820 together with some or all of the depicted supporting data structures along with any additional mechanical design or data (if applicable), to generate a second design structure 890. Design structure 890 resides on a storage medium or programmable gate array in a data format used for the exchange of data of mechanical devices and structures (e.g. information stored in a IGES, DXF, Parasolid XT, JT, DRG, or any other suitable format for storing or rendering such mechanical design structures). Similar to design structure 820, design structure 890 preferably comprises one or more files, data structures, or other computer-encoded data or instructions that reside on transmission or data storage media and that when processed by an ECAD system generate a logically or otherwise functionally equivalent form of one or more of the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-7. In one embodiment, design structure 890 may comprise a compiled, executable HDL simulation model that functionally simulates the devices shown in FIGS. 1-7.

[0044] Design structure 890 may also employ a data format used for the exchange of layout data of integrated circuits and/or symbolic data format (e.g. information stored in a GDSII (GDS2), GL1, OASIS, map files, or any other suitable format for storing such design data structures). Design structure 890 may comprise information such as, for example, symbolic data, map files, test data files, design content files, manufacturing data, layout parameters, wires, levels of metal, vias, shapes, data for routing through the manufacturing line, and any other data required by a manufacturer or other designer/developer to produce a device or structure as described above and shown in FIGS. 1-7. Design structure 890 may then proceed to a stage 895 where, for example, design structure 890: proceeds to tape-out, is released to manufacturing, is released to a mask house, is sent to another design house, is sent back to the customer, etc.

[0045] The resulting integrated circuit chips can be distributed by the fabricator in raw wafer form (that is, as a single wafer that has multiple unpackaged chips), as a bare die, or in a packaged form. In the latter case the chip is mounted in a single chip package (such as a plastic carrier, with leads that are affixed to a motherboard or other higher level carrier) or in a multichip package (such as a ceramic carrier that has either or both surface interconnections or buried interconnections). In any case the chip is then integrated with other chips, discrete circuit elements, and/or other signal processing devices as part of either (a) an intermediate product, such as a motherboard, or (b) an end product. The end product can be any product that includes integrated circuit chips, ranging from toys and other low-end applications to advanced computer products having a display, a keyboard or other input device, and a central processor.

[0046] The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof.

[0047] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer usable program code embodied in the medium.

[0048] Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as those supporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device. Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with the computer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc.

[0049] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0050] The present invention is described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0051] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0052] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0053] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0054] The diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.

[0055] Exemplary embodiments include a computing system with one or more processors and one or more I/O units (e.g., requestors) interconnected to a memory system that contains a memory controller and one or more memory devices. In exemplary embodiments, the memory system includes a processor or memory controller communicating with one or more hub devices (also referred to as “hub chips”) which are attached to one or more ports or channels of the memory controller. The memory controller channels may be operated in parallel, thereby providing an increased data bus width and/or effective bandwidth, operated separately, or a combination therein as determined by the application and/or system design. The hub devices connect and interface to the memory devices either by direct connection (e.g. wires) or by way of one or more intermediate devices such as external buffers, registers, clocking devices, conversion devices, etc. In exemplary embodiments the computer memory system includes a physical memory array comprised of one or more volatile and/or non-volatile storage devices for storing such information as data and instructions. In exemplary embodiments, the hub-based computer memory system has memory devices attached to a communication hub device that is connected to a memory control device (e.g., a memory controller). Also in exemplary embodiments, the hub device is located on a memory module (e.g, a single substrate or assembly that includes two or more hub devices that are cascaded interconnected to each other (and may further connect to another hub device located on another memory module) via the cascade interconnect, daisy chain and/or other memory bus structure.

[0056] Hub devices may be connected to the memory controller through a multi-drop or point-to-point bus structure (which may further include a cascade connection to one or more additional hub devices). Memory access requests are transmitted by the memory controller through the bus structure (e.g., the memory bus) to the selected hub(s). In response to receiving the memory access requests, the hub device receives and generally translates and re-drives at least a portion of the received information in the memory access request(s) to the memory devices to initiate such operations as the storing of “write” data from the hub device or to provide “read” data to the hub device. Data read from the memory device(s) is generally encoded into one or more communication packet(s) and transmitted through the memory bus(es) to the memory controller or other requester—although the data may also be used by one or more of the hub devices (e.g. during memory “self-testing”) or by another device having access to the hub, such as a service processor, test equipment, etc.

[0057] In alternate exemplary embodiments, the memory controller(s) may be integrated together with one or more processor chips and supporting logic, packaged in a discrete chip (commonly called a “northbridge” chip), included in a multi-chip carrier with the one or more processors and/or supporting logic, or packaged in various alternative forms that best match the application/environment. Any of these solutions may or may not employ one or more narrow/high speed links (e.g. memory channels or ports) to connect to one or more hub chips and/or memory devices.

[0058] The memory modules may be implemented by a variety of technologies including a dual in-line memory module (DIMM), a single in-line memory module (SIMM), a triple in-line memory module (TRIMM), and quad in-line memory module (QUIMM), various “small” form-factor modules (such as small outline DIMMs (SO DIMMs), micro DIMMs, etc) and/or other memory module or card structures. In general, a DIMM refers to a circuit board which is often comprised primarily of random access memory (RAM) integrated circuits or die on one or both sides of the board, with signal and/or power contacts also on both sides, along one edge of the board that are generally have different functionality that the directly and/or diagonally opposed contacts. This can be contrasted to a SIMM which is similar is composition but having opposed contacts electrically interconnected and therefore providing the same functionality as each other. For TRIMMs and QUIMMs, at least one side of the board includes two rows on contacts, with other board types having contacts on multiple edges of the board (e.g. opposing and/or adjacent edges on the same side of the board), in areas away from the board edge, etc. Contemporary DIMMs includes 168, 184, 240, 276 and various other signal pin or pad counts, whereas past and future memory modules will generally include as few as tens of contacts to hundreds of contacts. In exemplary embodiments described herein, the memory modules may include one, two or more hub devices.

[0059] In exemplary embodiments, the memory bus is constructed using point-to-point connections between hub devices and/or a hub device and the memory controller, although other bus structures such as multi-drop busses may also be used. When separate “upstream” and “downstream” (generally unidirectional) busses are utilized (together comprising the memory “bus”), the “downstream” portion of the memory bus, referred to as the downstream bus, may include command, address, data and other operational, initialization or status information being sent to one or more of the hub devices that are downstream of the memory controller. The receiving hub device(s) may simply forward the information to the subsequent hub device(s) via bypass circuitry; receive, interpret and re-drive the information if it is determined by the hub(s) to be targeting a downstream hub device; re-drive some or all of the information without first interpreting the information to determine the intended recipient; or perform a subset or combination of these functions.

[0060] The upstream portion of the memory bus, referred to as the upstream bus, returns requested read data and/or error, status or other operational information, and this information may be forwarded to the subsequent hub devices and/or the memory control device(s) via bypass circuitry; be received, interpreted and re-driven if it is determined by the hub(s) to be targeting an upstream hub device and/or memory controller in the processor complex; be re-driven in part or in total without first interpreting the information to determine the intended recipient; or perform a subset or combination of these functions.

[0061] In alternate exemplary embodiments, the point-to-point bus includes a switch, re-drive or bypass mechanism which results in the bus information being directed to one of two or more possible hub devices during downstream communication (communication passing from the memory controller to a hub device on a memory module), and which may also direct upstream information (communication from a hub device on a memory module toward the memory controller), often by way of one or more upstream hub devices. Further embodiments include the use of continuity modules, such as those recognized in the art, which, for example, can be placed between the memory controller and a first populated memory module (e.g., a memory module that includes a hub device that is in communication with one or more memory devices), in a cascade interconnect memory system, such that any intermediate module positions between the memory controller and the first populated memory module includes a means by which information passing between the memory controller and the first populated memory module device can be received even if the one or more intermediate module position(s) do not include a hub device. The continuity module(s) may be installed in any module position(s), subject to any bus restrictions, including the first position (closest to the main memory controller, the last position (prior to any included termination) or any intermediate position(s). The use of continuity modules may be especially beneficial in a multi-module cascade interconnect bus structure, where an intermediate hub device on a memory module is removed and replaced by a continuity module, such that the system continues to operate after the removal of the intermediate hub device/module. In more common embodiments, the continuity module(s) would include either interconnect wires to transfer all required signals from the input(s) to the corresponding output(s), or be re-driven through a repeater device. The continuity module(s) might further include a non-volatile storage device (such as an EEPROM), but would not include conventional main memory storage devices such as one or more volatile memory device(s). In other exemplary embodiments, the continuity or re-drive function may be comprised as a hub device that is not placed on a memory module (e.g. the one or more hub device(s) may be attached directly to the system board or attached to another carrier), and may or may not include other devices connected to it to enable functionality.

[0062] In exemplary embodiments, the memory system includes one or more hub devices on one or more memory modules connected to the memory controller via one or more cascade interconnect memory buses, however one or more other bus structure(s) or a combination of bus structures may be implemented to enable communication such as point-to-point bus(es), multi-drop bus(es) or other shared or parallel bus(es), often allow various means of communication (e.g. including both high speed and low speed communication means). Depending on the signaling methods used, the intended operating frequency range, space, power, cost, and other constraints, various alternate bus structures may also be considered. A point-to-point bus may provide optimal performance (e.g. maximum data rate) in systems produced with high frequency signaling utilizing electrical interconnections, due to the reduced signal degradation that may occur as compared to bus structures having branched signal lines (such as “T” nets, multi-drop nets or other forms of “stubs”. However, when used in systems requiring communication with a large number of devices and/or memory subsystems, this method will often result in significant added component cost, increased latency for distant devices and/or increased system power, and may further reduce the total memory density in a given volume of space due to the need for intermediate buffering and/or re-drive of the bus(es).

[0063] Although generally not shown in the Figures, the memory modules or hub devices may also include one or more separate bus(es), such as a “presence detect” (e.g. a module serial presence detect bus), an I2C bus, a JTAG bus, an SMBus or other bus(es) which are primarily used for one or more purposes such as the determination of the hub device an/or memory module attributes (generally after power-up), the configuration of the hub device(s) and/or memory subsystem(s) after power-up or during normal operation, bring-up and/or training of the high speed interfaces (e.g. bus(es)), the reporting of fault or status information to the system and/or testing/monitoring circuitry, the determination of specific failing element(s) and/or implementation of bus repair actions such as bitlane and/or segment sparing, the determination of one or more failing devices (e.g. memory and/or support device(s)) possibly with the invoking of device replacement (e.g. device “sparing”), parallel monitoring of subsystem operation or other purposes, etc. The one or more described buses would generally not be intended for primary use as high speed memory communication bus(es). Depending on the bus characteristics, the one or more bus(es) might, in addition to previously described functions, also provide a means by which the valid completion of operations and/or failure identification could be reported by the hub devices and/or memory module(s) to the memory controller(s), the processor, a service processor, a test device and/or other functional element permanently or temporarily in communication with the memory subsystem and/or hub device.

[0064] In other exemplary embodiments, performances similar to those obtained from point-to-point bus structures can be obtained by adding switch devices to the one or more communication bus(es). These and other solutions may offer increased memory packaging density at lower power, while otherwise retaining many of the characteristics of a point-to-point bus. Multi-drop busses provide an alternate solution, albeit often limiting the maximum operating frequency to a frequency lower than that available with the use of an optimized point-to-point bus structure, but at a cost/performance point that may otherwise be acceptable for many applications. Optical bus solutions may permit significantly increased frequency and bandwidth vs. the previously-described bus structures, using point-to-point or multi-drop or related structures, but may incur cost and/or space impacts when using contemporary technologies.

[0065] As used herein the term “buffer” or “buffer device” refers to an interface device which includes temporary storage circuitry (such as when used in a computer), especially one that accepts information at one rate (e.g. a high data rate) and delivers it another (e.g. a lower data rate), and vice versa. Data rate multipliers of 2:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 8:1, etc. may be utilized in systems utilizing one or more buffer device(s) such as those described herein, with such systems often supporting multiple data rate multipliers—generally on a per-port basis. In exemplary embodiments, a buffer is an electronic device that provides compatibility between two signals (e.g. one or more of changing voltage levels, converting data rates, etc.). The term “hub” may be used interchangeably with the term “buffer” in some applications. A hub is generally described as a device containing multiple ports that enable connection to one or more devices on each port. A port is a portion of an interface that serves a congruent I/O functionality (e.g., in the exemplary embodiment, a port may be utilized for sending and receiving information such as data, address, command and control information over one of the point-to-point links (which may further be comprised of one or more bus(es)), thereby enabling communication with one or more memory devices. A hub may further be described as a device that connects several systems, subsystems, or networks together, and may include logic to merge local data into a communication data stream passing through the hub device. A passive hub may simply forward messages, while an active hub, or repeater, may amplify, re-synchronize and/or refresh a stream of data (e.g. data packets) which otherwise would deteriorate in signal quality over a distance. The term hub device, as used herein, refers primarily to one or more active devices that also include logic (including hardware and/or software) for directly and/or indirectly connecting to and communicating with one or more memory device(s) utilizing one communication means to another communication means (e.g. one or more of an upstream and downstream bus and/or other bus structure). The hub device may further include one or more traditional “memory controller” functions such as the conversion of high-level address and/or commands into technology-specific memory device information, scheduling and/or re-ordering of memory operations, the inclusion of local data caching circuitry and/or include other traditional memory controller and/or memory system functions.

[0066] Also as used herein, the term “bus” refers to one of the sets of conductors (e.g., wires, printed circuit board traces or other connection means) between devices, cards, modules and/or other functional units. The data bus, address bus and control signals, despite their names, generally constitute a single bus since each are often useless without the others. A bus may include a plurality of signal lines, each signal line having two or more connection points that form a transmission path that enables communication between two or more transceivers, transmitters and/or receivers. The term “channel”, as used herein, refers to the one or more busses containing information such as data, address(es), command(s) and control(s) to be sent to and received from a system or subsystem, such as a memory, processor or I/O system. Note that this term is often used in conjunction with I/O or other peripheral equipment; however the term channel has also been utilized to describe the interface between a processor or memory controller and one of one or more memory subsystem(s).

[0067] Further, as used herein, the term “daisy chain” refers to a bus wiring structure in which, for example, device A is wired to device B, device B is wired to device C, etc. . . . The last device is typically wired to a resistor or terminator. All devices may receive identical signals or, in contrast to a simple bus, each device may modify, re-drive or otherwise act upon one or more signals before passing them on. A “cascade” or cascade interconnect' as used herein refers to a succession of stages or units or a collection of interconnected networking devices, typically hubs, in which the hubs operate as a logical repeater, further permitting merging data to be concentrated into the existing data stream. The terms daisy chain and cascade connect may be used interchangeably when a daisy chain structure includes some form of re-drive and/or “repeater” function. Also as used herein, the term “point-to-point” bus and/or link refers to one or a plurality of signal lines that may each include one or more terminators. In a point-to-point bus and/or link, each signal line has two transceiver connection points, with each transceiver connection point coupled to transmitter circuitry, receiver circuitry or transceiver circuitry. A signal line refers to one or more electrical conductors, optical carriers and/or other information transfer method, generally configured as a single carrier or as two or more carriers, in a twisted, parallel, or concentric arrangement, used to transport at least one logical signal.

[0068] Memory devices are generally defined as integrated circuits that are comprised primarily of memory (storage) cells, such as DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memories), SRAMs (Static Random Access Memories), FeRAMs (Ferro-Electric RAMs), MRAMs (Magnetic Random Access Memories), ORAMs (optical random access memories), Flash Memories and other forms of random access and/or pseudo random access storage devices that store information in the form of electrical, optical, magnetic, biological or other means. Dynamic memory device types may include asynchronous memory devices such as FPM DRAMs (Fast Page Mode Dynamic Random Access Memories), EDO (Extended Data Out) DRAMs, BEDO (Burst EDO) DRAMs, SDR (Single Data Rate) Synchronous DRAMs, DDR (Double Data Rate) Synchronous DRAMs, QDR (Quad Data Rate) Synchronous DRAMs, Toggle-mode DRAMs or any of the expected follow-on devices such as DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 and related technologies such as Graphics RAMs, Video RAMs, LP RAMs (Low Power DRAMs) which are often based on at least a subset of the fundamental functions, features and/or interfaces found on related DRAMs.

[0069] Memory devices may be utilized in the form of chips (die) and/or single or multi-chip packages of various types and configurations. In multi-chip packages, the memory devices may be packaged with other device types such as other memory devices, logic chips, analog devices and programmable devices, and may also include passive devices such as resistors, capacitors and inductors. These packages may include an integrated heat sink or other cooling enhancements, which may be further attached to the immediate carrier or another nearby carrier or heat removal system.

[0070] Module support devices (such as buffers, hubs, hub logic chips, registers, PLL's, DLL's, non-volatile memory, etc) may be comprised of multiple separate chips and/or components, may be combined as multiple separate chips onto one or more substrates, may be combined onto a single package and/or or integrated onto a single device—based on technology, power, space, cost and other tradeoffs. In addition, one or more of the various passive devices such as resistors, capacitors may be integrated into the support chip packages and/or into the substrate, board or raw card itself, based on technology, power, space, cost and other tradeoffs. These packages may also include one or more heat sinks or other cooling enhancements, which may be further attached to the immediate carrier or be part of an integrated heat removal structure that contacts more than one support and/or memory devices.

[0071] Memory devices, hubs, buffers, registers, clock devices, passives and other memory support devices and/or components may be attached to the memory subsystem via various methods including solder interconnects, conductive adhesives, socket assemblies, pressure contacts and other methods which enable communication between the two or more devices and/or carriers via electrical, optical or alternate communication means.

[0072] The one or more memory modules, memory cards and/or alternate memory subsystem assemblies and/or hub devices may be electrically connected to the memory system, processor complex, computer system or other system environment via one or more methods such as soldered interconnects, connectors, pressure contacts, conductive adhesives, optical interconnects and other communication and power delivery methods. Inter-connection systems may include mating connectors (e.g. male/female connectors), conductive contacts and/or pins on one carrier mating with a compatible male or female connection means, optical connections, pressure contacts (often in conjunction with a retaining mechanism) and/or one or more of various other communication and power delivery methods. The interconnection(s) may be disposed along one or more edges of the memory assembly, may include one or more rows of interconnections and/or be located a distance from an edge of the memory subsystem depending on such application requirements as the connection structure, the number of interconnections required, performance requirements, ease of insertion/removal, reliability, available space/volume, heat transfer/cooling, component size and shape and other related physical, electrical, optical, visual/physical access, etc. Electrical interconnections on contemporary memory modules are often referred to as contacts, pins, tabs, etc. Electrical interconnections on a contemporary electrical connector are often referred to as contacts, pads, pins, pads, etc.

[0073] As used herein, the term memory subsystem refers to, but is not limited to one or more memory devices, one or more memory devices and associated interface and/or timing/control circuitry and/or one or more memory devices in conjunction with a memory buffer, hub device, and/or switch. The term memory subsystem may also refer to a storage function within a memory system, comprised of one or more memory devices in addition to one or more supporting interface devices and/or timing/control circuitry and/or one or more memory buffers, hub devices or switches, identification devices, etc.; generally assembled onto one or more substrate(s), card(s), module(s) or other carrier type(s), which may further include additional means for attaching other devices. The memory modules described herein may also be referred to as memory subsystems because they include one or more memory devices and other supporting device(s).

[0074] Additional functions that may reside local to the memory subsystem and/or hub device include write and/or read buffers, one or more levels of local memory cache, local pre-fetch logic (allowing for self-initiated pre-fetching of data), data encryption/decryption, compression/de-compression, address and/or command protocol translation, command prioritization logic, voltage and/or level translation, error detection and/or correction circuitry on one or more busses, data scrubbing, local power management circuitry (which may further include status reporting), operational and/or status registers, initialization circuitry, self-test circuitry (testing logic and/or memory in the subsystem), performance monitoring and/or control, one or more co-processors, search engine(s) and other functions that may have previously resided in the processor, memory controller or elsewhere in the memory system. Memory controller functions may also be included in the memory subsystem such that one or more of non-technology-specific commands/command sequences, controls, address information and/or timing relationships can be passed to and from the memory subsystem, with the subsystem completing the conversion, re-ordering, re-timing between the non-memory technology-specific information and the memory technology-specific communication means as necessary. By placing more technology-specific functionality local to the memory subsystem, such benefits as improved performance, increased design flexibility/extendibility, etc., may be obtained, often while making use of unused circuits within the subsystem.

[0075] Memory subsystem support device(s) may be directly attached to the same substrate or assembly onto which the memory device(s) are attached, or may be mounted to a separate interposer, substrate, card or other carrier produced using one or more of various plastic, silicon, ceramic or other materials which include electrical, optical or other communication paths to functionally interconnect the support device(s) to the memory device(s) and/or to other elements of the memory subsystem or memory system.

[0076] Information transfers (e.g. packets) along a bus, channel, link or other interconnection means may be completed using one or more of many signaling options. These signaling options may include one or more of such means as single-ended, differential, optical or other communication methods, with electrical signaling further including such methods as voltage and/or current signaling using either single or multi-level approaches. Signals may also be modulated using such methods as time or frequency, non-return to zero, phase shift keying, amplitude modulation and others. Signal voltage levels are expected to continue to decrease, with 1.5V, 1.2V, 1V and lower signal voltages expected, as a means of reducing power, accommodating reduced technology breakdown voltages, etc.—in conjunction with or separate from the power supply voltages. One or more power supply voltages, e.g. for DRAM memory devices, may drop at a slower rate that the I/O voltage(s) due in part to the technological challenges of storing information in the dynamic memory cells.

[0077] One or more clocking methods may be utilized within the memory subsystem and the memory system itself, including global clocking, source-synchronous clocking, encoded clocking or combinations of these and other methods. The clock signaling may be identical to that of the signal (often referred to as the bus “data”) lines themselves, or may utilize one of the listed or alternate methods that is more conducive to the planned clock frequency(ies), and the number of clocks required for various operations within the memory system/subsystem(s). A single clock may be associated with all communication to and from the memory, as well as all clocked functions within the memory subsystem, or multiple clocks may be sourced using one or more methods such as those described earlier. When multiple clocks are used, the functions within the memory subsystem may be associated with a clock that is uniquely sourced to the memory subsystem and/or may be based on a clock that is derived from the clock included as part of the information being transferred to and from the memory subsystem (such as that associated with an encoded clock). Alternately, a unique clock may be used for the information transferred to the memory subsystem, and a separate clock for information sourced from one (or more) of the memory subsystems. The clocks themselves may operate at the same or frequency multiple of the communication or functional frequency, and may be edge-aligned, center-aligned or placed in an alternate timing position relative to the data, command or address information.

[0078] Information passing to the memory subsystem(s) will generally be composed of address, command and data, as well as other signals generally associated with requesting or reporting status or error conditions, resetting the memory, completing memory or logic initialization and/or other functional, configuration or related operations. Information passing from the memory subsystem(s) may include any or all of the information passing to the memory subsystem(s), however generally will not include address and command information. The information passing to or from the memory subsystem(s) may be delivered in a manner that is consistent with normal memory device interface specifications (generally parallel in nature); however, all or a portion of the information may be encoded into a ‘packet’ structure, which may further be consistent with future memory interfaces or delivered using an alternate method to achieve such goals as an increase communication bandwidth, an increase in memory subsystem reliability, a reduction in power and/or to enable the memory subsystem to operate independently of the memory technology. In the latter case, the memory subsystem (e.g. the hub device) would convert and/or schedule, time, etc. the received information into the format required by the receiving device(s).

[0079] Initialization of the memory subsystem may be completed via one or more methods, based on the available interface busses, the desired initialization speed, available space, cost/complexity, the subsystem interconnect structures involved, the use of alternate processors (such as a service processor) which may be used for this and other purposes, etc. In one embodiment, the high speed bus may be used to complete the initialization of the memory subsystem(s), generally by first completing a step-by-step training process to establish reliable communication to one, more or all of the memory subsystems, then by interrogation of the attribute or ‘presence detect’ data associated the one or more various memory assemblies and/or characteristics associated with any given subsystem, and ultimately by programming any/all of the programmable devices within the one or more memory subsystems with operational information establishing the intended operational characteristics for each subsystem within that system. In a cascaded system, communication with the memory subsystem closest to the memory controller would generally be established first, followed by the establishment of reliable communication with subsequent (downstream) subsystems in a sequence consistent with their relative position along the cascade interconnect bus.

[0080] A second initialization method would include one in which the high speed bus is operated at one frequency during the initialization process, then at a second (and generally higher) frequency during the normal operation. In this embodiment, it may be possible to initiate communication with any or all of the memory subsystems on the cascade interconnect bus prior to completing the interrogation and/or programming of each subsystem, due to the increased timing margins associated with the lower frequency operation.

[0081] A third initialization method might include operation of the cascade interconnect bus at the normal operational frequency(ies), while increasing the number of cycles associated with each address, command and/or data transfer. In one embodiment, a packet containing all or a portion of the address, command and/or data information might be transferred in one clock cycle during normal operation, but the same amount and/or type of information might be transferred over two, three or more cycles during initialization. This initialization process would therefore be using a form of ‘slow’ commands, rather than ‘normal’ commands, and this mode might be automatically entered at some point after power-up and/or re-start by each of the subsystems and the memory controller by way of POR (power-on-reset) logic and/or other methods such as a power-on-rest detection via detection of a slow command identifying that function.

[0082] A fourth initialization method might utilize a distinct bus, such as a presence detect bus (such as the one defined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,135 to Dell et al., of common assignment herewith), an I2C bus (such as defined in published JEDEC standards such as the 168 Pin DIMM family in publication 21-C revision 7R8) and/or the SMBUS, which has been widely utilized and documented in computer systems using such memory modules. This bus might be connected to one or more modules within a memory system in a daisy chain/cascade interconnect, multi-drop or alternate structure, providing an independent means of interrogating memory subsystems, programming each of the one or more memory subsystems to operate within the overall system environment, and adjusting the operational characteristics at other times during the normal system operation based on performance, thermal, configuration or other changes desired or detected in the system environment.

[0083] Other methods for initialization can also be used, in conjunction with or independent of those listed. The use of a separate bus, such as described in the fourth embodiment above, also provides an independent means for both initialization and uses other than initialization, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,685 to Dell et al., of common assignment herewith, including changes to the subsystem operational characteristics on-the-fly and for the reporting of and response to operational subsystem information such as utilization, temperature data, failure information or other purposes.

[0084] With improvements in lithography, better process controls, the use of materials with lower resistance, increased field sizes and other semiconductor processing improvements, increased device circuit density (often in conjunction with increased die sizes) may facilitate increased function on integrated devices as well as the integration of functions previously implemented on separate devices. This integration can serve to improve overall performance of the memory system and/or subsystem(s), as well as provide such system benefits as increased storage density, reduced power, reduced space requirements, lower cost, higher performance and other manufacturer and/or customer benefits. This integration is a natural evolutionary process, and may result in the need for structural changes to the fundamental building blocks associated with systems.

[0085] The integrity of the communication path, the data storage contents and all functional operations associated with each element of a memory system or subsystem can be assured, to a high degree, with the use of one or more fault detection and/or correction methods. Any or all of the various elements may include error detection and/or correction methods such as CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Code), EDC (Error Detection and Correction), parity or other encoding/decoding methods suited for this purpose. Further reliability enhancements may include operation re-try (to overcome intermittent faults such as those associated with the transfer of information), the use of one or more alternate or replacement communication paths and/or portions of such paths (e.g. “segments” of end-to-end “bitlanes”) between a given memory subsystem and the memory controller to replace failing paths and/or portions of paths, complement-re-complement techniques and/or alternate reliability enhancement methods as used in computer, communication and related systems.

[0086] The use of bus termination, on busses ranging from point-to-point links to complex multi-drop structures, is becoming more common consistent with increased performance demands. A wide variety of termination methods can be identified and/or considered, and include the use of such devices as resistors, capacitors, inductors or any combination thereof, with these devices connected between the signal line and a power supply voltage or ground, a termination voltage (such voltage directly sourced to the device(s) or indirectly sourced to the device(s) from a voltage divider, regulator or other means), or another signal. The termination device(s) may be part of a passive or active termination structure, and may reside in one or more positions along one or more of the signal lines, and/or as part of the transmitter and/or receiving device(s). The terminator may be selected to match the impedance of the transmission line, be selected as an alternate impedance to maximize the useable frequency, signal swings, data widths, reduce reflections and/or otherwise improve operating margins within the desired cost, space, power and other system/subsystem limits.

[0087] Technical effects and benefits include providing dynamic segment sparing and repair in a memory system. Benefits may include improved component yield and dynamically maintenance of functional operation by rerouting defective signals to one or more spare wires or interconnections. The spare interconnections may be unused, redundant or provide additional capacity during normal operation in the absence of any defects, but are not required for functional operation. The ability to replace a failed data segment as well as a failed clock segment increases flexibility in handling a large number of failure modes for interconnected devices.

[0088] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0089] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.