U.S. patent application number 09/802842 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-20 for memory system.
Invention is credited to Funaba, Seiji, Nishio, Yoji.
Application Number | 20010022739 09/802842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18590883 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010022739 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Funaba, Seiji ; et
al. |
September 20, 2001 |
Memory system
Abstract
A memory system comprises a controller capable of controlling a
memory operation, and memory connectors capable of mounting memory
modules therein, both of which are provided on a system board. Each
of the memory modules has a plurality of memory chips connected to
module data wirings and module power wirings respectively. The
module data wirings of each memory module are connected in series
form through series paths lying within the connectors. Each
individual module data wirings do not constitute branch wirings to
system data wirings on the system board. Thus, such signal
reflection as caused by branching from the data wirings on the
system board is not developed. Since the power is supplied in
parallel from the system board through parallel paths lying within
the connectors, the supply of the power is stabilized.
Inventors: |
Funaba, Seiji; (Kokubunji,
JP) ; Nishio, Yoji; (Higashimurayama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI TERRY STOUT AND KRAUS
SUITE 1800
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22209
|
Family ID: |
18590883 |
Appl. No.: |
09/802842 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
365/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 5/04 20130101; H01L
2224/16225 20130101; H05K 1/14 20130101; H05K 1/0216 20130101; H01L
2924/13091 20130101; G11C 5/06 20130101; H01L 2924/13091 20130101;
H01L 2924/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
365/63 |
International
Class: |
G11C 005/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 10, 2000 |
JP |
2000-072483 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A memory system comprising: a controller capable of controlling
a memory operation; and memory connectors capable of mounting
memory modules therein; said controller and said memory connectors
being provided on a system board; wherein said each memory module
has a plurality of memory chips connected to first and second
module wirings, said memory connectors respectively have series
paths for serially connecting the first module wirings for a
plurality of the mounted memory modules between the memory modules,
and parallel paths which are connected in parallel with the second
module wirings for the plurality of mounted memory modules, and
said system board has first system wirings connected to the series
paths and second system wirings each commonly connected to the
parallel paths.
2. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein said first
module wirings and series paths constitute a form connected in
series with the first system wirings to thereby constitute a memory
access data bus connected to said controller, and said parallel
paths constitute branch power wirings with respect to the second
system wirings for supplying power.
3. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein said first
module wirings and series paths constitute a form connected in
series with the first system wirings to thereby constitute a clock
wiring connected to said controller.
4. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein said first
module wirings and series paths constitute a form connected in
series with the first system wirings to thereby constitute
command/address wirings connected to said controller.
5. A memory system comprising: a controller capable of controlling
a memory; and memory connectors capable of mounting memory modules
therein; said controller and said memory connectors being provided
on a system board, wherein said each memory module includes a
plurality of memory chips having chip data terminals, a plurality
of module data wirings individually provided in association with
the respective chip data terminals of said plurality of memory
chips, and module power wirings, said memory connectors
respectively have series paths for serially connecting the module
data wirings of a plurality of said mounted memory modules between
said memory modules, and parallel paths which are connected in
parallel with the module power wirings of the plurality of mounted
momory modules, said system board has system data wirings connected
to the series paths, and system power wirings each commonly
connected to the parallel paths, and said series paths constitute a
memory access data bus together with the module data wirings of the
memory modules mounted in the memory connectors, and the system
data wirings, and said parallel paths constitute power wirings
together with the module power wirings of the memory modules
mounted in the memory connectors, and the system power wirings.
6. A memory system comprising: a controller capable of controlling
the operation of each of memories; and memory connectors capable of
mounting memory modules therein, said controller and said memory
connectors being provided on a system board, wherein said each
memory module has a plurality of memory chips connected to module
data wirings, said memory connectors respectively have series paths
for serially connecting the module data wirings of the plurality of
mounted memory modules between the memory modules, and said system
board has system data wirings having one ends connected to the
series paths, the other ends connected to terminal resistors, and
intermediate portions connected to data terminals of said
controller.
7. The memory system according to claim 6, wherein points where
said system data wirings and the data terminals of said controller
are connected, are included in one-stroke writable wiring
paths.
8. The memory system according to claim 6 or 7, further including
switch means which separates the terminal resistors from the system
data wirings in response to a writing operation of each memory chip
by said controller.
9. A memory system comprising: a controller capable of controlling
a memory operation; and memory connectors capable of mounting
memory modules therein; said controller and said memory connectors
being provided on a system board, wherein said each memory module
has a plurality of memory chips having chip data terminals
respectively connected to module data wirings, said memory
connectors respectively have series paths for serially connecting
the module data wirings of the plurality of mounted memory modules
between the memory modules, said system board has system data
wirings connected to one ends of the series paths and connected to
data terminals of said controller respectively, and said each
memory chip has an open drain output circuit coupled to the chip
data terminals, and terminal resistors are connected to the other
ends of the series paths respectively.
10. A memory system comprising: a controller capable of controlling
a memory operation; and memory connectors capable of mounting
memory modules therein, said controller and said memory connectors
being provided on a system board, wherein said each memory module
has a plurality of memory chips having chip data terminals
respectively connected to module data wirings, said memory
connectors respectively have series paths for serially connecting
the module data wirings of the plurality of mounted memory modules
between the memory modules, said system board has system data
wirings connected to one ends of the series paths and connected to
data terminals of said controller respectively, and said controller
has an open drain output circuit coupled to the data terminals
thereof, and terminal resistors are connected to the system data
wirings respectively.
11. A memory system comprising: a plurality of memory chips
respectively having a plurality of memory chip data terminals; a
plurality of module data wirings individually provided in
association with the respective chip data terminals of said
plurality of memory chips; a controller chip having controller chip
data terminals separately connected to the module data wirings; and
terminal resistors respectively connected to the module data
wirings, wherein points for connections of the controller chip data
terminals to the module data wirings and points for connections of
the memory chip data terminals to the module data wirings are
included in one-stroke writable wiring paths.
12. A data processing system which comprises a memory system as
described in any of claims 1 to 11, and further includes a data
processor connected to a controller included in said memory system
and capable of obtaining access to each memory chip in said memory
system.
13. A memory system comprising: a controller capable of controlling
the operation of each of memories; and memory connectors capable of
mounting memory modules therein; said controller and said memory
connectors being provided on a system board, wherein said each
memory module has a plurality of memory chips connected to module
data wirings, said memory connectors respectively have series paths
for serially connecting the module data wirings of the plurality of
mounted memory modules between the memory modules, said system
board has system data wirings connected to the series paths and
connected to data terminals of said controller, and said controller
incorporates therein terminal resistors connectable to the system
data wirings.
14. A memory system comprising: a controller capable of controlling
a memory operation; and memory connectors capable of mounting
memory modules therein, said controller and said memory connectors
being provided on a system board, wherein said each memory module
has a plurality of memory chips having chip data terminals
respectively connected to module data wirings, said memory
connectors respectively have series paths for serially connecting
the module data wirings of the plurality of mounted memory modules
between the memory modules, said system board has system data
wirings connected to one ends of the series paths and connected to
data terminals of said controller respectively, and said controller
has an open drain output circuit coupled to the data terminals
thereof, and terminal resistors connectable to the system data
wirings respectively.
15. A system comprising: a printed circuit board; and a plurality
of connecting portions mounted on said printed circuit board,
wherein said plurality of connecting portions are capable of being
connected to a plurality of memory modules, each of said plurality
of memory modules has memory chips each having first and second
terminals, external terminal pairs, and first wirings connected
between said external terminal pairs and connected to the first
terminals, when said plurality of memory modules are mounted to
said plurality of connecting portions respectively, the first
terminals of the memory chip included in each of said plurality of
memory modules are connected through first wiring paths, and the
second terminals of the memory chip included in each of said
plurality of memory modules are connected through second wiring
paths, said first wiring paths are paths extending via the first
wirings and the plurality of connecting portions without via said
printed circuit board, and said second wiring paths are paths
extending via the plurality of memory modules, the plurality of
connecting portions and said printed circuit board.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for
controlling the reflection of a transmission signal, which is
caused by branching of wirings in a memory system using memory
modules, etc., and to a technology effective for application to a
high-speed access-compatible memory system.
[0002] SSTL (Stub Series Terminated Transceiver Logic) has been
known as a small-amplitude interface intended for a memory system.
The SSTL has been described in, for example, English Paper Journal,
VOL. E82-C, NO. 3, Yasuhiro KONISHI, et al., "Interface
Technologies for Memories and ASICs-Review and Future Direction",
issued by the Institute of Electronics, Information and
Communication Engineers, March 1999.
[0003] An SSTL-based memory system principally comprises a memory
controller, signal wirings, connectors and memory modules mounted
on a motherboard. The memory modules respectively have m memory
chips provided on both surfaces of a module substrate. Data
terminals of each individual memory chips are connected to their
corresponding module data terminals in m units. Access control data
terminals such as address terminals of the memory chips are
connected to their corresponding module access control terminals.
One-sided ends of the signal wirings are connected to their
corresponding signal terminals of the memory controller, and the
other ends thereof are terminated into a predetermined voltage. A
plurality of memory modules are connected in parallel with their
corresponding signal wirings through the connectors. Assuming now
that the number of data terminals of each memory chip is defined as
n and the number of the memory chips placed on the one side of each
memory module is defined as m, the present memory system has
m.times.n data signal wirings. The m memory chips placed on the one
side of one memory module of plural memory modules are selected for
one access according to a chip select signal generated by the
memory controller. The ends or terminals of the signal wirings are
connected to a terminal voltage through terminal resistors. Stub
resistors for the memory controller are respectively
series-connected to signal wirings for connecting the memory
controller and the connectors.
[0004] Here, module wirings for connecting the module terminals of
each memory module and the terminals of each memory chip constitute
wirings which branch off from the signal wirings of the motherboard
through the connectors. Stub resistors are placed in these module
wirings. These stub resistors serve as matching loads for relaxing
signal reflection developed in the signal wirings. Mismatching is
generally developed in characteristic impedance at each wiring
branch point. It is thus necessary to provide the stub resistors
for relaxing the mismatching. Assuming that the characteristic
impedance of each wiring is defined as ZO and the characteristic
impedance of each stub wiring is defined as ZsO, Zs-ZO/2 is
suitable as the resistance value of each stub resistor. There is
however the possibility that when the resistance value of the stub
resistor increases, a voltage drop developed across the resistor
will become great, thereby attenuating signal voltages such as
addresses, data or the like and hence causing an error in a memory
operation. When the resistance value of the stub resistor is less
reduced to avoid the attenuation of each signal voltage for this
season, there is the possibility that signal reflection will become
obvious in reverse and hence a signal waveform will disturb,
thereby causing a malfunction in the same manner as described
above. As the operation is made fast to increase a signal frequency
and each branch wiring against which countermeasures are to be
taken by each stub resistor, becomes long, the disturbance of a
signal waveform at a receiving end becomes great.
[0005] On the other hand, the present inventors have discussed, as
another memory system, a type wherein a plurality of memory modules
are series-connected via connectors to their corresponding signal
wirings connected to a memory controller on a motherboard. The
present inventors have discussed a configuration wherein on a
memory module, a plurality of memory chips are connected by
one-stroke writable wiring paths through module data signal
wirings. Assuming that the number of data signal terminals of each
memory element is defined as n in the present memory system, n
module data signal wirings are provided therein regardless of the
number m of memory elements placed on one side of each memory
module, and one memory chip of the plural memory chips is selected
for one access.
[0006] In another memory system referred above, all the memory
modules are series-connected to their corresponding signal wirings
on the motherboard, and the module signal wirings lying within the
memory modules are series-connected to all the memory chips
arranged in a line and are laid along the longitudinal direction of
each memory module. Thus, the memory modules little form the branch
wirings with respect to the signal wirings on the motherboard as in
the case of the SSTL. A problem decreases that the disturbance of
each waveform due to undesired signal reflection caused by the
branch wirings occurs.
[0007] However, the present inventors have revealed that the length
of the signal wiring increases, and the time necessary for the
signal to propagate from the memory controller to the corresponding
memory chip at the farthest end thereof becomes long, thus
increasing a delay in access time.
[0008] Thus, a problem arises in that the module wirings of each
memory module constitute the branch wirings on the memory system in
the case of the SSTL type, whereby the malfunction due to the
signal reflection caused thereby occurs and the speeding up of the
memory operation is limited. Since such branching for the signal
wiring as developed in the SSTL little exists in the memory system
of such a type that the plurality of memory modules are connected
in series and the memory chips lying within the memory modules are
connected in series, the branch wiring-based problem decreases.
However, the present inventors have revealed the possibility that
an increase in the length of the signal wiring lying within each
memory module will cause a delay in access time and cannot cope
with higher-speed access.
[0009] After the completion of the invention of the present
application, the inventors of the present application have
recognized the following examples known to date. Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 5(1993)-234355 and 6(1994)-150085
respectively have disclosed the invention wherein connectors are
provided at both long-side portions of each memory module so that
the plural memory modules can be connected in tandem. However, they
do not disclose a wiring structure provided inside each memory
module. Further, the present inventors have revealed that when the
power, a clock signal, etc. are serially supplied, the supply
thereof becomes instable. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
Hei 7(1995)-334415 discloses a memory module having extended
connectors which allow cascade connections of extended memory
modules. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei
7(1995)-261892 discloses the invention wherein each of memory
modules is provided with inlet connectors and outlet connectors, a
memory bus on the memory module connects between them, and memory
elements are connected in series with the memory bus, whereby
undesired signal reflection is controlled. However, the first
through third known examples merely provide the technology of
cascade-connecting the memory modules to thereby configure the
memory system. The fourth known example merely shows the system for
connecting the plural memory elements to their corresponding memory
bus on each memory module in series form. Any of the examples does
not provide the conception leading to the invention of the present
application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention aims to provide a memory system
capable of controlling the disturbance of a signal waveform due to
signal reflection to improve the reliability of signal
transmission, increasing the stability of a memory operation, and
restraining an increase in access time.
[0011] Further, the present invention aims to increase the speed
for processing data by a computer system using a memory system.
[0012] The above, other objects and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the description of the present
specification and the accompanying drawings.
[0013] Summaries of typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the
present application will be explained in brief as follows:
[0014] 1. A memory system includes a controller capable of
controlling a memory operation, and memory connectors capable of
mounting memory modules therein, both of which are provided on a
system board. Each of the memory modules has a plurality of memory
chips connected to first and second module wirings. The memory
connectors respectively have series paths (133, 134, 135) for
serially connecting the first module wirings for a plurality of the
mounted memory modules between the memory modules, and parallel
paths (137, 138, 139) which are connected in parallel with the
second module wirings for the plurality of mounted memory modules.
The system board has first system wirings (107) connected to the
series paths and second system wirings (108) each commonly
connected to the parallel paths.
[0015] The first module wirings and the series paths constitute,
for example, a form connected in series with the first system
wirings to thereby constitute a memory access data bus connected to
the controller, and the parallel paths constitute branch power
wirings with respect to the second system wirings for supplying
power.
[0016] As another aspect, the first module wirings and the series
paths constitute, for example, a form connected in series with the
first system wirings to thereby constitute clock wirings connected
to the controller.
[0017] As a further aspect, the first module wirings and the series
paths constitute a form connected in series with the first system
wirings to thereby constitute command/address wirings connected to
the controller.
[0018] The first module wirings (module data wirings) on each
memory module constitute the memory access data bus in the memory
system. Therefore, in a memory system in which a plurality of
memory modules are made parallel, module data wirings for each
memory module are connected in series form, and each individual
module data wirings do not constitute branch wirings to first
system wirings on a system board of the memory system. Thus, such
signal reflection as caused by branching from a data bus like the
first system wirings on the system board is not developed. Since
the power or the like is supplied in parallel from the system board
to each memory module through parallel paths, the supply of the
power is stabilized. There is a possibility that when the power is
supplied to the memory modules on a serial basis, for example, one
memory module will produce power noise in the course thereof, thus
causing its influence to propagate toward a subsequent stage. The
above means do not produce such possibility, and hence a high
degree of reliability can be ensured for a memory operation.
[0019] 2. A memory system as viewed from a further specific
standpoint has a controller capable of controlling a memory, and
memory connectors capable of mounting memory modules therein, both
of which are provided on a system board. Each of the memory modules
includes a plurality of memory chips having chip data terminals, a
plurality of module data wirings individually provided in
association with the respective chip data terminals of the
plurality of memory chips, and module power wirings. The memory
connectors respectively have series paths for serially connecting
the module data wirings of a plurality of the mounted memory
modules between the memory modules, and parallel paths which are
connected in parallel with the module power wirings of the
plurality of mounted memory modules. The system board has system
data wirings connected to the series paths, and system power
wirings each commonly connected to the parallel paths. The series
paths constitute a memory access data bus together with the module
data wirings of the memory modules mounted in the memory
connectors, and the system data wirings. The parallel paths
constitute power wirings together with the module power wirings of
the memory modules mounted in the memory connectors, and the system
power wirings.
[0020] Even according to the above means in a manner similar to the
above, such signal reflection as caused by branching to a data bus
on a motherboard of a memory system is not developed. Further,
since the power or the like is supplied in parallel from the system
board to each memory module through the parallel paths, the supply
of the power is stabilized. In the memory system in addition to the
above, parallel access for the number of bits corresponding to the
width of the memory access data bus is assured for the memory
module. Thus, the disturbance of each signal waveform due to the
signal reflection is restrained while an increase in access time is
being controlled, thereby making it possible to increase the
reliability of signal transmission.
[0021] 3. A memory system as viewed from a still further standpoint
includes a controller capable of controlling the operation of each
memory, and memory connectors capable of mounting memory modules
therein, both of which are provided on a system board. Each of the
memory modules has a plurality of memory chips connected to module
data wirings. The memory connectors respectively have series paths
for serially connecting the module data wirings of the plurality of
mounted memory modules between the memory modules. Further, the
system board has system data wirings having one ends connected to
the series paths, the other ends connected to terminal resistors,
and intermediate portions connected to data terminals of the
controller.
[0022] According to the above means in particular, since the data
terminals of the controller are directly connected to their
corresponding system data wirings, undesired branching from the
system data wirings to the controller does not exist either in
substance, and undesired signal reflection does not occur even in
such portions.
[0023] If it is desired to positively manifest the fact that no
undesired branching occurs in points where the system data wirings
and the data terminals of the controller are connected, then their
connecting points can be defined as having been included in
one-stroke writable wiring paths. Alternatively, even if the
branching is developed, no problem occurs if a wiring path length
of each branching portion is set short in such a manner that the
time necessary for a signal to ensure or assure a normal operation
to go to and from a wiring path of the branching portion becomes
shorter than a state transition time of the signal.
[0024] The terminal resistors may be separated from the system data
wirings in response to a writing operation of each memory chip by
the controller. Since terminal resistors on the memory controller
side are supposed to be subjected to signal reflection read from a
memory chip, low power consumption and an increase in signal
amplitude can be achieved if the terminal resistors may be
separated from the system data wirings in response to the writing
operation of the memory chip.
[0025] 4. In the type of an output circuit and terminal resistors,
a memory system includes a controller capable of controlling a
memory operation, and memory connectors capable of mounting memory
modules therein, both of which are provided on a system board. Each
of the memory modules has a plurality of memory chips having chip
data terminals respectively connected to module data wirings. The
memory connectors respectively have series paths for serially
connecting the module data wirings of the plurality of mounted
memory modules between the memory modules. The system board has
system data wirings connected to one ends of the series paths and
connected to data terminals of the controller respectively. When,
at this time, the memory chip has an open drain output circuit
coupled to the chip data terminals, terminal resistors may be
connected to the other ends of the series paths respectively
without providing the system data wirings with their corresponding
terminal resistors. When the controller has the open drain output
circuit coupled to the data terminals thereof in reverse, the
terminal resistors may be connected to the system data wirings
respectively without providing the other ends of the series paths
with the terminal resistors.
[0026] Since the open drain output circuit is high in output
impedance and kept substantially constant in output impedance at
its output operation, each terminal portion for allowing a signal
outputted from the open drain output circuit to propagate is hard
to be affected by undesired voltage reflection even if no terminal
resistors are provided. It is thus possible to achieve low power
consumption and an increase in signal amplitude.
[0027] 5. The memory system is particularly effective for
application to, for example, a personal computer, a work station,
or a data processing system requiring a large capacity memory, like
a server. At this time, a data processor connected to the
controller of the memory system and capable of obtaining access to
each memory chip of the memory system is provided to configure a
data processing system. Even when the frequency of the memory
system is rendered high, a signal waveform is hard to get out of
order owing to the above, and high-speed transmission is also
allowed, thus contributing to an increase in the speed for
processing data by a computer system.
[0028] 6. Terminal resistors are incorporated into the controller
so as to be connectable to their corresponding system data
terminals, and the electrical connections thereof to the system
data wirings may be controlled according to an access mode or the
like to each memory chip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is
regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention, the
objects and features of the invention and further objects, features
and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a front view showing one example of a memory
system according to the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the memory system shown
in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic equivalent circuit diagram of the
memory system shown in FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a first memory module applied
to the memory system shown in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the first memory module
shown in FIG. 4;
[0035] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an example of a wiring
arrangement related to a memory chip employed in the memory module
shown in FIG. 4;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view
illustrating data wiring portions of connectors applicable to the
memory module shown in FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view
depicting power wiring portions of the connectors applicable to the
memory module shown in FIG. 4;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the
memory module is mounted in the connectors applicable to the memory
module shown in FIG. 4;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which
the memory modules have been fitted in the connectors each
applicable to the memory module shown in FIG. 4;
[0040] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a memory system
related to a comparative example having an SSTL interface;
[0041] FIG. 12 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating the
memory system related to the comparative example shown in FIG.
11;
[0042] FIG. 13 is a perspective view depicting a memory system
related to a comparative example in which memory modules having
memory chips connected in serial form are connected in series;
[0043] FIG. 14 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the memory
system related to the comparative example shown in FIG. 13;
[0044] FIG. 15 is a simulation circuit diagram of SSTL employed in
the memory system configured in the form of FIG. 11;
[0045] FIGS. 16A and 16B are respectively explanatory views showing
simulation results of SSTL signal waveforms at write and read
operations of the simulation circuit shown in FIG. 15;
[0046] FIG. 17 is a simulation circuit diagram related to data
signals employed in the memory system described in FIG. 2;
[0047] FIGS. 18A and 18B are respectively explanatory views
illustrating simulation results at write and read operations of the
simulation circuit shown in FIG. 17;
[0048] FIG. 19 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a data
signal wiring system employed in a second memory system according
to the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 20 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a data
signal wiring system employed in a third memory system according to
the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 21 is an equivalent circuit diagram depicting a data
signal wiring system employed in a fourth memory system according
to the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 22 is an equivalent circuit diagram related to a
command/address signal wiring system employed in the fourth memory
system;
[0052] FIG. 23 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a data
signal wiring system employed in a fifth memory system according to
the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 24 is a circuit diagram illustrating a memory
controller most suitable for the first memory system according to
the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 25 is a circuit diagram showing a memory controller
most suitable for the second memory system according to the present
invention;
[0055] FIG. 26 is a circuit diagram depicting a memory controller
most suitable for the third memory system according to the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 27 is another circuit diagram showing a memory
controller most suitable for the third memory system according to
the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram illustrating a memory
controller most suitable for the fifth memory system according to
the present invention;
[0058] FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C are respectively cross-sectional
views related to a second memory module;
[0059] FIGS. 30A and 30B are respectively explanatory views showing
a connector applicable to the second memory module;
[0060] FIGS. 31A and 31B are respectively cross-sectional views
showing a memory system equipped with the second memory
modules;
[0061] FIG. 32 is a plan view illustrating a third memory module
according to the present invention;
[0062] FIGS. 33A and 33B are respectively cross-sectional views
illustrating, as examples, forms in which the third memory modules
are connected to one another by connectors;
[0063] FIG. 34 is a plan view depicting a dummy memory module
available together with the first memory module;
[0064] FIG. 35 is a side view showing the dummy memory module shown
in FIG. 34;
[0065] FIGS. 36A, 36B and 36C are respectively explanatory views
illustrating a dummy memory module available together with the
second memory module;
[0066] FIG. 37 is a plan view showing a dummy memory module
available together with the third memory module;
[0067] FIGS. 38A and 38B are respectively explanatory views
illustrating a terminating memory module in which the first memory
module is equipped with terminal resistors;
[0068] FIG. 39 is an explanatory view depicting a terminating dummy
memory module which corresponds to the dummy memory module shown in
FIG. 34;
[0069] FIGS. 40A, 40B and 40C are respectively explanatory views
showing a terminating memory module in which the memory module
shown in FIG. 29A is equipped with terminal resistors;
[0070] FIG. 41 is an explanatory view illustrating a terminating
memory module in which the memory module shown in FIG. 32 is
equipped with terminal resistors;
[0071] FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view showing other forms
related to the connectors shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 with attention to
a data signal wiring portion;
[0072] FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view illustrating other forms
related to the connectors shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 with attention to
a power wiring portion;
[0073] FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a memory
module partly provided with connector functions;
[0074] FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view showing connectors
corresponding to other forms applicable to a memory module with
attention to a data signal wiring portion;
[0075] FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view illustrating connectors
corresponding to further forms applicable to a memory module with
attention to a data signal wiring portion;
[0076] FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view showing the connectors
shown in FIG. 46 with attention to a power wiring portion;
[0077] FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view depicting a state in which
memory modules are respectively mounted in the connectors shown in
FIGS. 46 and 47;
[0078] FIGS. 49A and 49B are respectively perspective views showing
a further embodiment of a memory module provided with a module
terminal pair extending in a downward direction;
[0079] FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of a
memory system equipped with the memory modules each shown in FIG.
49;
[0080] FIG. 51 is a front view showing an example in which the
memory system shown in FIG. 1 is formed on one substrate without
using connectors and memory modules;
[0081] FIG. 52 is a front view illustrating an example in which
memory systems are formed on both surfaces of the same
substrate;
[0082] FIG. 53 is a plan view depicting an example in which a CPU
is mounted together with a memory system to thereby provide
multi-chip module form; and
[0083] FIG. 54 is a block diagram showing a personal computer
system using a memory system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0084] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0085] First memory system
[0086] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a memory system according to
the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the
memory system, respectively.
[0087] Although not restricted in particular, the memory system
shown in the same drawings has includes a memory controller 102,
connectors 104A and 104B, terminal resistors 105 and 106, signal
wirings 107, power wirings 108, and terminal voltage power wirings
109 provided on a motherboard 101. The memory system is configured
in such a manner that, for example, the memory modules 1 are fitted
in their corresponding connectors 104A and 104B.
[0088] The signal wirings 107 comprise data signal wirings 112,
address/command signal wirings 113 and a clock signal wiring 117
illustrated in FIG. 2 by way of example.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 2, memory address/command input terminals
of memory chips 11 placed on the same surface of one memory module
1, and address/command signal output terminals of an
address/command buffer chip 12 are respectively connected to one
another by module address/command distribution wirings 19. The
memory chip 11 on the memory module 1 receives address/command
signals from the address/command buffer chip 12 through the module
address/command distribution wirings 19. Further, clock input
terminals of the memory chips 11 placed on the same surface of one
memory module 1, a clock input terminal of the address/command
buffer chip 12, and a clock output terminal of a PLL chip 13 are
respectively connected to one another by a clock distribution
wiring 20. Each memory chip 11 and the address/command buffer chip
12 receive a clock signal from the PLL chip 13 through the clock
distribution wiring 20.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 2, memory data terminals of each memory
chip 11 placed on the same surface of one memory module are
connected to their corresponding module data wirings 15 formed in
the memory module 1. Further, command/address input terminals of
the address/command buffer chip 12 are connected to their
corresponding module command/address wirings 16 formed in the
memory module 1. A clock input terminal of the PLL chip 13 is
connected to its corresponding clock wiring 17 formed in the memory
module 1.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 1 by way of example, a plurality of memory
modules 1 are placed on the motherboard 101 in parallel and
connected to one another in serial form by the right and left
connectors 104A and 104B.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 1, the connectors 104A and 104B
respectively have in-connector wirings 135 and 133 for respectively
connecting module data wirings 15 (module command/address wrings 16
and module clock wiring 17) of a plurality of mounted memory
modules 1 in series between the memory modules 1. The in-connector
wirings 135 and 133 constitute series routes or paths for
connecting the module data wirings 15 (module command/address
wirings 16 and module clock wiring 17) in serial form. Although not
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, module power wirings used as several
types of relatively wide power patterns are formed on a module
substrate. The module power wirings are connected to their
corresponding in-connector power wirings 137, 138 and 139 in
parallel and constitute parallel paths.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 2 by way of example, the connectors 104A
and 104B respectively include the power wirings 108 for supplying
power from the motherboard 101 to the memory modules 1, and the
signal wirings 107 (112, 113 and 117) for connecting between signal
terminals of the adjacent memory modules. The signal wirings 107
constitute first system wirings connected to the series paths, and
the power wirings 108 constitute second system wirings commonly
connected to the parallel paths, respectively. The signal wirings
107 on the motherboard pass under the memory controller 102 and are
conductive to within the plural memory modules 11 and the
connectors 104A and 104B. Further, the signal wirings 107 are
terminated into a predetermined voltage VTT at the terminal voltage
power wirings 109 through the terminal resistors 105 and 106 at
both ends thereof or at at least one-sided end thereof.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 2, signal terminals of the memory
controller 102 are connected to their corresponding signal wirings
107 which pass under the memory controller 102, on the
lower-surface side of the memory controller 2. As shown in FIG. 1,
data terminals of each memory chip 11 on the memory module 1 are
connected to their corresponding data signal wirings 112 which pass
through the memory module 1. Incidentally, terminal resistors 114
on the memory controller 102 side may not be provided for the
address/command signal wirings 113 and the clock signal wiring 117.
This is because address/command signals and a clock signal are
signals which propagate in one direction. Address/command input
terminals of the address/command buffer chip 12 on the memory
module 1 are respectively connected to the address/command signal
wirings 113 which pass through the memory module 1. The clock input
terminal of the PLL chip 13 on the memory module 1 is connected to
its corresponding clock signal wiring 117, which passes each memory
module 1. Assuming now that the number of data terminals of each
memory chip 11 is defined as n and the number of the memory chips
11 placed on the one side of the memory module 1 is defined as m,
the memory system shown in FIG. 1 has m.times.n data signal wirings
112. The m memory chips 11 placed on the one side of one memory
module of plural memory modules are selected for one access
according to a chip select signal of command signals generated by
the memory controller 102.
[0095] FIG. 3 is a schematic equivalent circuit diagram of the
memory system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and particularly shows one
data signal wiring system. When the data signal wiring system is
viewed on a circuit basis, terminal power sources 109, terminal
resistors 105 and 106, a data signal wiring 112 for a motherboard,
internal wirings 135 for connectors 104A, internal wirings 133 for
connectors 104B, and module data wirings 15 of memory modules 1 are
principally connected in series. Here, since the whole length of
the data signal wiring 112 on the motherboard 101 and the module
data wirings 15 of the memory modules reaches several tens of
millimeters, they are handled as a transmission line on a circuit
basis. A memory controller I/O terminal 128 of a memory controller
102 is provided at one-sided end on the terminal resistor 105 side,
of the data signal wiring 112 on the motherboard 101. Each of the
output capacity of an output circuit 123 of the memory controller
102 and the input capacity of an input circuit 124 of the memory
controller 102, etc. is in view as memory controller I/O load
capacity 125. Similarly, a data terminal (I/O terminal) 129 of each
memory chip 11 is located midway between the data signal wirings 15
of each memory module 1. Each of the output capacity of an output
circuit 120 of each memory chip 11 and the input capacity of an
input circuit 121 thereof, etc. is in view as memory I/O load
capacity 122. In the memory controller output circuit 123 and the
output circuit 120 of each memory chip 11, a push-pull type, an
open drain type, etc. are considered as their circuit types or
modes. In the present embodiment, however, no request is made in
particular. Although not illustrated in particular, a mechanism for
controlling a through rate and a mechanism for controlling output
impedance, for example, may be provided. Both sides of the data
signal wiring system are terminated with the terminal resistors for
the purpose of preventing reflection with respect to both of a
signal transmitted from the memory controller output circuit 123 to
the input circuit 121 of each memory chip 11 and a signal
transmitted from the output circuit 120 of each memory chip 11 to
the memory controller input circuit 124. Thus, terminal resistors
may be placed only at a far end with respect to a signal
transmission path extending in only one direction as in the case of
an address output and a command output of the memory controller
102. As described above, the terminal resistors 114 shown in FIG. 4
may be omitted.
[0096] One example of the memory module 1 will now be explained.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the memory module 1, and FIG. 5 is a side
view thereof, respectively. The memory module 1 shown in FIGS. 4
and 5 includes a plurality of memory chips 11, a command/address
buffer chip 12, and a PLL chip 13 which are respectively mounted on
the surface and back surface of a substantially rectangular module
substrate 10 made up of an epoxy resin or the like.
[0097] The memory module 1 has module data wirings 15, module
command/address wirings 16, and a module clock wiring 17 extending
in the transverse direction of the module substrate 10 as wirings
provided therewithin. Further, the memory module 1 includes module
command/address distribution wirings 19 and a module clock
distribution wiring 20 extending in the longitudinal direction of
the module substrate 10. The module command/address distribution
wirings 19 and the module clock distribution wiring 20 are provided
with terminal resistors 22 and 23. The terminal resistors 22 and 23
terminate the ends of the module command/address distribution
wirings 19 and the module clock distribution wiring 20 in terminal
power sources and have resistance values each corresponding to the
characteristic impedance or effective characteristic impedance of
each connected wiring. Those wirings 15, 16, 17, 19 and 20 are
equivalently formed on the surface and back surface of the module
substrate 10. Incidentally, a mark 28 on the memory module
indicates the direction of mounting of the memory module 1 in its
corresponding connector when the memory module 1 is mounted in the
connector.
[0098] The memory module 1 has module data terminal pairs 24R and
24L, a module command/address terminal pair 25R and 25L, and a
module clock terminal pair 26R and 26L as module external terminals
along the opposite long sides of the module substrate 10. These
module external terminals 24R, 24L, 25R, 25L, 26R and 26L are
equivalently formed on the surface and back surface of the module
substrate 10.
[0099] The module data wirings 15 connect each right and left
corresponding module data terminal pair 24R and 24L. Memory data
terminals Dm of each memory chip 11 are connected to the midpoints
of the module data wirings 15. The memory chip 11 is a flip chip
(or flip-chip type semiconductor integrated circuit) having bump
electrodes for the implementation of a circuit board or substrate,
which are provided in array form, for example. The memory data
terminals Dm are provided as solder bump electrodes for each flip
chip. In the memory chip 11, such memory data terminals Dm are
marked with .largecircle. respectively.
[0100] The module command/address wirings 16 connect the right and
left corresponding module command/address terminal pair 25R and 25L
to each other. Buffer command/address input terminals CAi of the
command/address buffer chip 12 are connected to points midway
through the module command/address wirings 16. For example, the
command/address buffer chip 12 is also used as the flip chip, and
the buffer command/address input terminals CAi are used as solder
bump electrodes. In the command/address buffer chip 12, such buffer
command/address input terminals CAi are marked with .largecircle.
respectively.
[0101] The module clock wiring 17 connects the right and light
corresponding module clock terminal pair 26R and 26L to each other.
A PLL clock input terminal CLi of the PLL chip 13 is connected to a
point midway through the module clock wiring 17. For example, the
PLL chip 13 corresponds to a flip chip, and the PLL clock input
terminal CLi is used as a solder bump electrode. In the PLL chip
13, such a PLL clock input terminal CLi is marked with
.largecircle..
[0102] The module command/address distribution wirings 19 are laid
out along the longitudinal direction of the module substrate 10 and
have an intermediate portion connected to buffer command/address
output terminals CAj of the command/address buffer chip 12.
Similarly, the module clock distribution wiring 20 is laid along
the longitudinal direction of the module substrate 10 and has an
intermediate portion connected to a PLL clock output terminal CLj.
The buffer command/address output terminals CAj and the PLL clock
output terminal CLj are represented as symbolic so as to be
connected with output terminals of output buffers represented in
the form of triangles.
[0103] Memory command/address terminals (not shown) for
command/address input, of each memory chip 11 are connected to the
module command/address distribution wirings 19. Further, a memory
clock terminal (not shown) for clock input, of the memory chip 11
and a buffer clock terminal (not shown) for clock input, of the
buffer chip 12 are connected to the module clock distribution
wiring 20. The memory chip 11 and the buffer chip 12 are capable of
performing memory and latch operations in synchronism with a clock
signal supplied from the PLL chip 13 through the module clock
distribution wiring 20.
[0104] Incidentally, the memory command/address terminals, memory
clock terminal, buffer clock terminal and chip power terminals are
not demonstratively shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, module power
terminals used for an operating power source are designated at
numerals 202L and 202L respectively.
[0105] FIG. 6 shows an example of a wiring arrangement related to
the memory chip employed in the memory module 1. The module
substrate 10 has a double-layer wiring structure having a first
layer (surface layer) and a second layer (internal layer)
respectively corresponding to the surface and back surface thereof.
Wirings included in the first layer are indicated by solid lines,
whereas wirings included in the second layer are indicated by
broken lines. In the drawing, marks .largecircle. indicate external
terminals like bump electrodes of each memory chip, and marks
.circle-solid. indicate via (interlayer trenches or holes) defined
in a wiring layer. The memory chip shown in the drawing corresponds
to a synchronous DRAM represented as one example. A0 through A13
indicate addresses, D0 through D15 indicate data, and CLK, /CLK
indicate two-phase clocks, respectively. CKE indicates a clock
enable, DML and DMU indicate data masks, /CS indicates a chip
selection, /RAS indicates a row address strobe, /CAS indicates a
column address strobe, /WE indicates a write enable, and DQSL and
DQSU indicate access control signals or command signals for data
strobe. VCCQ, VSSQ, VCC, VSS and VSSQ shown in FIG. 6 indicate
power terminals respectively.
[0106] The module command/address distribution wirings 19 and the
module clock distribution wiring 20 are laid or arranged in the
form orthogonal to the module data wirings 15 on the module
substrate 10. As is apparent from FIG. 6, the signal wirings 19 and
20 are connected to their corresponding terminals of each memory
chip 11 through one-stroke writable wiring paths. It is apparent
that according to the one-stroke writable wiring paths, the module
command/address distribution wirings 19 and the module clock
distribution wiring 20 per se have no branches.
[0107] Judging from the standpoint of control on undesired signal
reflection, the one-stroke writable paths are most suitable but all
the wiring branches are not denied. If the following conditions are
met, then no undesired signal reflection is developed for the most
part. Namely, the module data wirings 15 for D0, D1, etc. are
formed in a wiring layer corresponding to the second layer of the
module substrate 10. When the module data wirings 15 are connected
to their corresponding memory data terminals Dm of each memory chip
11 through the via (interlayer holes), the via portions slightly
form branch portions respectively. Thus, the module data wirings 15
serve as one-stroke writable first wiring paths, whereas the via
portions caused to branch off from the first wiring paths so as to
be connected to the memory data terminals Dm constitute second
wiring paths. At this time, the length of the second wiring path
may be set so that the time necessary for a signal to assure a
normal operation, for example to go to and from the second wiring
path becomes shorter than a state transition time of the signal. In
short, each branch portion whose signal path is as short as
negligible in terms of signal reflection, may substantially be
regarded as part of the one-stroke wiring path.
[0108] When the memory data terminals are placed so as to be
shifted between at least adjacent terminals as viewed in the
direction in which the module data wirings extend, as in the case
of D0, D1, . . . in FIG. 6, it becomes easy to form contacts
between the memory data terminals Dm and the module data wirings
15.
[0109] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically
showing data wiring portions of connectors 104A and 104B. The
connector 104A has a single horizontal trench or groove defined in
one side thereof. Connector terminal sequences or rows 130 are
formed on upper and lower surfaces of an internal surface of the
horizontal groove. The connector terminal sequences 130 are
connected to their corresponding wirings of data signal wirings 112
through in-connector wirings 135 every connector terminals. The
connector 104B has single horizontal grooves defined in both sides
thereof. Connector terminal sequences 131 and 132 are respectively
formed on upper and lower surfaces of internal surfaces of the
horizontal grooves. Terminals of the connector terminal sequences
131 and terminals of the connector terminal sequences 132, i.e.,
their corresponding terminals are connected in series to one
another by in-connector wirings 133 and 134.
[0110] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically
showing power wiring portions of connectors 104A and 104B. A
motherboard 101 is provided with a power wiring 108. Power
connector terminals included in connector terminal sequences 130
are connected to their corresponding power wiring 108 through
in-connector wirings 137, power connector terminals included in
connector terminal sequences 131 are connected to their
corresponding power wiring 108 through in-connector wirings 138,
and power connector terminals included in connector terminal
sequences 132 are connected to their corresponding power wiring 108
through in-connector wirings 139. Even in the case of a power
source, the connections shown in FIG. 7 may be adopted. However,
the adoption of the connection form shown in FIG. 8 rather than one
shown in FIG. 7 allows stabilization of the supply of power to each
memory chip 11 or the like. The command/address wirings 113 may
also be connected to the connector terminal sequences 130, 131 and
132 of the connectors 104A and 104B in the same manner as the power
wiring 108.
[0111] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the mounting of the
memory module 1 in connectors 104A and 104B. In order to fit the
memory module 1 in the connectors 104A and 104B, terminal sequences
of the memory module 1 are respectively put so as to be inserted
between terminal sequences 130 of the connector 104A and between
terminal sequences 131 of the connector 104B as shown in FIG. 9. At
this time, marks 140 placed on the connectors are those used to
indicate or point out the orientation and direction of the surface
of the memory module 1. The surface and direction of the memory
module 1 are aligned with each other in such a manner that a fit-in
direction indication mark 28 for the memory module 1 and the mark
140 of each connector move closest to each other.
[0112] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the manner in
which the memory modules 1 have been mounted in their corresponding
connectors 104A and 104B. In FIG. 10, for convenience, paths
connected to their corresponding memory chips located on the upper
sides of the memory modules 1 are used as signal paths, and paths
connected to their corresponding memory chips located on the lower
sides of the memory modules 1 are used as power paths. Data signal
paths are defined as wiring paths which pass without branching off
at the connectors 104A and 104B and the memory modules 1. Since the
power wirings of the respective memory modules 1 are also
respectively connected to a power wiring 108 of a motherboard 101
through the mounted connectors 104A and 104B, the supply of
sufficient power can be implemented and a voltage drop of a power
source can be prevented from occurring.
[0113] According to the first memory system, the following action
and effects can be obtained. As is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, the
module data wirings 15 on the memory module 1 constitute a memory
access data bus together with the data signal wirings 112 on the
motherboard 101. Thus, in the memory system in which a plurality of
memory modules 1 are connected in series, the module data wirings
15 of the respective memory modules 1 are connected in sequential
form. Further, each individual module data wirings 15 do not
constitute branch wirings with respect to the data signal wirings
112 on the motherboard 101 of the memory system. Accordingly, such
signal reflection as caused by branching with respect to the data
signal wirings 112 on the motherboard 101 of the memory system does
not occur. Since memory modules are branch-connected to a bus on a
motherboard in the case of a memory system related to a comparative
example having an SSTL interface, which is shown in FIGS. 11 and
12, for example, stub resistors are placed every branches to cope
with undesired signal reflection. Therefore, the amplitude of a bus
signal on the motherboard decreases in the comparative example,
thus interfering with a stable operation. In the memory system
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an undesired load on each signal wiring on
the motherboard does not increase, and the configuration for
inhibiting or blocking the signal reflection does not interfere
with a reduction in signal amplitude.
[0114] Further, since the data terminals Dm of each memory chip 11
are directly connected to the module data wirings 15 on each memory
module 1, such signal reflection as caused by branching to the
module data wirings 15 is not developed either.
[0115] In the memory module 1, parallel access for the number of
bits corresponding to the width of the memory access data bus is
assured. Thus, the disturbance of each signal waveform due to the
signal reflection is restrained while an increase in access time is
being controlled, thereby to allow an increase in reliability of
signal transmission. In a comparative example shown in FIGS. 13 and
14, a plurality of memory chips share the use of an in-module data
bus on each memory module. The memory modules are connected in
series with a serial bus. Further, since the memory modules are not
branch-connected to the serial bus, signal reflection caused by
branching is not substantially developed. However, limitations are
imposed on high-speed access because the bus is made long and hence
a wiring delay increases.
[0116] Since power or the like is supplied in parallel from the
motherboard 101 to the respective memory modules 1 through parallel
paths comprising the in-connector wirings 137, 138 and 139, the
supply of the power and a clock is stabilized. There is the
possibility that when the power is supplied to each memory module
in series, for example, one memory module will produce power noise
in the course thereof, thus causing its influence to propagate
toward a subsequent stage. Such possibility does not occur when
operating power is supplied in parallel from parallel paths, and
hence a high degree of reliability can be ensured for a memory
operation.
[0117] As forms of the module data terminal pair 24L and 24R and
the module data wirings 15, the module data terminal pairs 24L and
24R are respectively placed at one long-side portions and the other
long-side portions of each individual memory chip-mounted surfaces
of the module substrate 10 when the plurality of memory chips 11
are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the module
substrate 10. In other words, the module data wirings 15 are caused
to extend from one long-side portion of each memory chip-mounted
surface of the module substrate 10 to the other long-side portion
thereof. Thus, the length of each module data wiring 15 becomes
consequentially short, and the parasitic capacitance of each wiring
and the wiring resistance thereof are reduced.
[0118] Since the module data wirings 15 are linearly laid in the
transverse direction of the module substrate 10, and the module
command/address wirings 16 and 20 are laid in the shape of a
substantially cross, they are most suitable for the shortening of
wiring lengths of the module command/address wirings together with
the module data wirings.
[0119] Since the module command/address wirings 16 for coupling the
module address terminal pair 25R and 25L to each other are
separated from the command/address distribution wirings 19 through
the command/address buffer chip 12, the formation of in-negligible
impedance mismatching points on the module command/address wirings
16 can also be inhibited or blocked.
[0120] Owing to the termination of the module command/address
distribution wirings 19 with the resistive elements 22 and 23
having their characteristic impedances, the ends of the module
command/address wirings 19 are matched and terminated. Thus, the
disturbance of each waveform due to signal reflection can be
reduced to the utmost at the wirings 19.
[0121] Results of simulation of data signal waveforms employed in
the memory system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will now be explained.
[0122] As a comparative example, a simulation circuit of SSTL
employed in the memory system of the type shown in FIG. 11 is first
shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 16A shows the result of simulation of SSTL
signal waveforms at a write operation of the simulation circuit
shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 16B shows the result of simulation of SSTL
signal waveforms at a read operation of the simulation circuit
shown in FIG. 15. There may be cases in which a signal waveform at
a receiving end is disturbed upon a high-speed operation or when
each branch wiring is long, in the case of the SSTL of such a
circuit type as shown in FIG. 11.
[0123] FIG. 17 illustrates a simulation circuit related to data
signals employed in the memory system described in FIG. 2 as an
example. Let's now assume that a driver 2010 is placed under a
memory controller 102 upon write operation simulation, and placed
under each memory module upon read operation simulation. A
push-pull output circuit having an output resistor 2009 is assumed
as the driver 2010. In the present example, the resistance value of
the output resistor is set as 50.OMEGA.. Further, a terminal
resistor Rt is set to a value substantially identical to the
effective characteristic impedance of each data signal wiring. A
terminal resistor on the memory controller side, which is equal to
55.OMEGA. in resistance value, is set to a value substantially
equal to the characteristic impedance of a transmission line laid
between the memory controller and a memory module located at an end
close to the memory controller.
[0124] FIG. 18A shows a simulation result at the write operation of
the simulation circuit (memory system described in FIG. 2) shown in
FIG. 17. It is understood that when data signals bQR0 through bQR3
(2001 through 2004) inputted to each individual memory chips are
viewed, they are small in waveform disturbance as compared with
data signals bQR0 through bQR3 (2101 through 2104) inputted to the
memory chips at the write operation-based simulation result shown
in FIG. 16A. FIG. 18B shows a simulation result at the read
operation of the simulation circuit (memory system described in
FIG. 2) shown in FIG. 17. DQRSIN1 through DQRSIN4 in the drawing
respectively indicate data signals DQRSIN1 through DQRSIN4 (2006)
respectively inputted to the memory controller when the data
signals bQR0 through bQR3 (2001 through 2004) inputted to the
memory chips are outputted. It is understood that they are small in
waveform disturbance as compared with data signals DQRSIN1 through
DQRSIN4 (2106) inputted to their corresponding memory chips at the
read operation-based simulation result of the memory system
according to the comparative example shown in FIG. 16B. Even in the
case of a system in which an output resistor is set to 15Q, a
satisfactory waveform is obtained in the same manner as described
above. In this case, an effect is brought about in that power
consumption increases but logical amplitude can be made great.
[0125] Second through fifth memory systems
[0126] FIG. 19 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a data signal
wiring system employed in a second memory system according to the
present invention. In the present memory system, a first switch 230
is newly added to a terminal resistor 105 on the memory controller
102 side, and a second switch 231 is newly added to a terminal
resistor 106 on the side opposite to the memory controller 102 as
compared with the first memory system shown in FIG. 3. Of these,
the first switch 230 is turned on upon read (reading) of each
memory and turned off upon write (writing) thereof, whereby the end
or terminal on the memory controller 102 side, of a signal wiring
112 can be impedance-matched upon read (reading) of the memory.
Further, when the second switch 231 is turned on upon write
(writing) of the memory and turned off upon read (reading) of the
memory, the end or terminal connected to a signal wiring 135
corresponding to the farthest end as viewed from the memory
controller 102 can be impedance-matched.
[0127] The first switch 230 and the second switch 231 can be
implemented by switch elements each comprising a MOS transistor,
for example. The memory controller 102 may perform their control
according to an access operation. Further, a command/address buffer
chip 12 may be set so as to have its switch control function.
[0128] In the first memory system shown in FIG. 3, the terminals at
both ends of the series wiring path formed by the signal wiring 112
and the in-connector wiring 135 or the like are always terminated
with resistors. Upon write (writing) of each memory and read
(reading) thereof, a current flows through both resistors, so that
power consumption increases. In the second memory system shown in
FIG. 19, only one of the terminals at both ends of a series wiring
path formed by the signal wiring 112 and the in-connector wiring
135 or the like is resistance-terminated according to the write
(writing) of each memory and the read (reading) thereof, and a
current flows through one terminal resistor alone. Therefore, the
present memory system can achieve low power consumption as compared
with the first memory system. Since logical amplitude can be mage
great, a noise margin can also be increased.
[0129] FIG. 20 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a data signal
wiring system employed in a third memory system according to the
present invention. The memory system shown in the same drawing is
different from the first memory system shown in FIG. 3 in that a
switch 230 is added to a terminal resistor 105 on the memory
controller 102 side. The switch 230 is turned on upon read
(reading) of each memory and turned off upon write (writing)
thereof, so that the end or terminal on the memory controller 102
side, of a signal wiring 112 can be impedance-matched upon read
(reading) of the memory. Incidentally, the switch 230 can be
implemented by a MOS transistor, and the memory controller 102 may
perform its control. In the first memory system referred to above,
the terminals at both ends of the signal wiring 112 are always
terminated with resistors. Upon write of each memory and read
thereof, a current flows through both resistors, so that power
consumption increases. On the other hand, in the third memory
system, only the end or terminal on the side opposite to the memory
controller 102, of the terminals at both ends of the signal wiring
112 is terminated with a resistor 106, and a current flows through
one terminal resistor alone upon write of the memory. Therefore,
the present memory system can achieve low power consumption as
compared with the first memory system. A noise margin at the write
can be made great. The second memory system needs two switches at
both ends of the series path formed by the signal wiring 112 and
the in-connector wirings 133 and 135 and causes an increase in
manufacturing cost. In regard to this point of view, the third
memory system needs one switch alone and can provide a cost
reduction as compared with the second memory system.
[0130] FIG. 21 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a data signal
wiring system employed in a fourth memory system according to the
present invention. In the present memory system, the terminal
resistor 105 on the memory controller 102 side is omitted from the
first memory system shown in FIG. 3. Further, the present memory
system adopts open drain type output transistors 233 as output
circuits for memory chips 11. Since an output resistor for each
transistor varies upon the operation of a push-pull type output
circuit, the effective characteristic impedance of a series wiring
path for data, which comprises a signal wiring 112, etc., is
disturbed and reflection is easy to take place. On the other hand,
if the open drain output circuits comprising the open drain type
output transistors 233 are adopted, then an output resistor at its
operation can be rendered high and kept substantially constant.
Therefore, the effective characteristic impedance of the data
series wiring path is not disturbed upon operation. Due to this
reason, the present memory system impedance-matches only the end or
terminal on the side opposite to the memory controller 102 with a
resistor 106. Thus, since the number of terminal resistors becomes
one, the present memory system can provide a reduction in cost and
low power consumption as compared with the first memory system.
[0131] FIG. 22 is an equivalent circuit diagram related to a
command/address signal wiring system employed in the fourth memory
system. Since a signal is transmitted from a memory controller 102
to each command/address buffer chip 12 in one direction alone in
the command/address signal wiring system, only a terminal resistor
106 on the side opposite to the memory controller 102 may be
adopted as a terminal resistor in a manner similar to other
examples.
[0132] FIG. 23 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a data
signal wiring system employed in a fifth memory system according to
the present invention. In the memory system shown in the same
drawing, the terminal resistor 106 on the side opposite to the
memory controller 102 is omitted from the first memory system on
the contrary to the fourth memory system shown in FIG. 21. Further,
the present memory system adopts an open drain type output
transistor 235 constituting an open drain type output circuit, in
an output circuit for the memory controller 102. Thus, the present
memory system can provide a reduction in cost and low power
consumption as compared with the first memory system due to a
reason similar to the fourth memory system shown in FIG. 21.
[0133] Memory controllers
[0134] FIG. 24 is a circuit diagram most suitable for the first
memory system (see FIG. 3) according to the present invention. A
memory controller 102 shown in the same drawing incorporates
therein a resistor 105A matched with the effective characteristic
impedance of a data signal wiring 112 and is electrically connected
to a data signal terminal 240 and a terminal source 109 provided
inside the memory controller. Using the memory controller 102
having adopted a configuration shown in the same drawing in the
first memory system eliminates the need for the external terminal
resistor 105 on the memory controller 102 side of the motherboard
101 shown in FIG. 1, thereby making it possible to realize a
reduction in cost.
[0135] FIG. 25 is a circuit diagram of a memory controller 102 most
suitable for the second memory system (see FIG. 19) according to
the present invention. The memory controller 102 shown in the same
drawing has a first switch changeover signal terminal 241 and a
second switch changeover signal terminal 242 and outputs signals
for selecting the turning on/off of a first switch 243 and a second
switch 244 respectively provided outside the memory controller 102.
An output circuit 246 outputs an input mode signal 245 inputted to
the memory controller 102 to the first switch changeover signal
terminal 241 and an inversion output circuit 247 inverts the input
mode signal 245 inputted thereto and outputs it to the second
switch changeover signal terminal 242, whereby the outputs to these
signal terminals 241 and 242 are produced. Here, the input mode
signal 245 inputted to the memory controller 102 is brought to a
level "H" upon the input of data and brought to a level "L" upon
the output thereof. Further, the first switch 243 and second switch
244 provided outside the memory controller 102 comprise, for
example, MOS transistors respectively. They are turned on when a
gate level is "H" and turned off when the gate level is "L". Using
the present memory controller 102 in the second memory system makes
it possible to control or restrain power consumption made by an
unnecessary terminal resistor as described above. A terminal
resistor 105 may be incorporated into the memory controller 102 as
shown in FIG. 24.
[0136] FIG. 26 is a circuit diagram most suitable for the third
memory system (see FIG. 20) according to the present invention. The
memory controller 102 shown in the same drawing has a switch 250
for controlling the connection of a built-in terminal resistor 105A
to the signal terminal 240, which resistor is incorporated into the
memory controller employed in the first memory system shown in FIG.
24. This switch 250 is turned on and off according to an input mode
signal 245 supplied to the memory controller 102. Accordingly, the
terminal resistor 105A becomes effective only upon timing requiring
it, i.e., only upon the input of the signal to the memory
controller 102. Thus, the adoption of the configuration of the
memory controller 102 shown in FIG. 26 in the third memory system
makes it possible to control power consumption made by an
unnecessary terminal resistor and provide a low power consumption
type memory system. Since there is no need to provide the terminal
resistor 105 on the motherboard 101 on the memory controller 102
side, a reduction in cost can be achieved.
[0137] FIG. 27 shows a further circuit example of a memory
controller 102 most suitable for the third memory system (see FIG.
20) according to the present invention. The memory controller 102
shown in the same drawing is one from which the inversion output
circuit 24 and switch changeover signal terminal 242 of the memory
controller employed in the second memory system shown in FIG. 25
are omitted. The adoption of the configuration of FIG. 27 in the
memory controller 102 of the third memory system makes it possible
to control power consumption made by an unnecessary terminal
resistor and provide a low power consumption type memory
system.
[0138] FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram showing a memory controller
most suitable for the fifth memory system shown in FIG. 23. The
memory controller 102 shown in the same drawing is one in which an
open drain transistor 251 constituting an open drain type output
circuit is used in the output circuit of the memory controller 102
employed in the first memory system of FIG. 24. The adoption of the
present configuration in the memory controller 102 of the fifth
memory system according to the present invention eliminates the
need for the terminal resistor 105 on the memory controller side of
the motherboard 101 and allows a cost reduction. Of course, the
terminal resistor (105) may be placed outside the memory controller
as shown in FIG. 1.
[0139] Examples of other memory system
[0140] FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C respectively show cross sections of a
second memory module having a structure different from FIG. 4. FIG.
29A is a cross-sectional view related to a data signal wiring
employed in a one-bank type memory module. In the present memory
module 2, a module data terminal pair 24L and 24R is placed on both
surfaces of a module substrate 10 along one long-side portion
thereof. A module data wiring 15 is connected to the module data
terminal pair 24R and 24L via a through hole 200. The module data
wiring 15 has a one-stroke writable wiring route or path in a
manner similar to the first memory module 1 shown in FIG. 4. Such
branches as formed by the via (interlayer holes), which are as
small as negligible, are developed between the module data wiring
15 and the memory data terminals Dm of each memory chip 11. Such
branch portions do not lead to undesired signal reflection as is
apparent from the above.
[0141] FIG. 29B is a cross-sectional view related to a signal
wiring at a two-bank type memory module. In the memory module 2
shown in FIG. 29A, one module data wiring 15 is connected to its
corresponding memory data terminal Dm of one memory chip 11 placed
on one side of the module substrate 10, whereas in the memory
module shown in FIG. 29B, one module data wiring 15 is connected to
memory data terminals Dm and Dm of memory chips 11 and 11 placed on
both surfaces of a module substrate 10 on a one-stroke writing
basis.
[0142] FIG. 29C is a cross-sectional view related to a power wiring
for the memory module 2. Module power wirings 201 are wired to
their corresponding chip power terminals Dp of the memory chips 11
but have no need for connection under a one-stroke writable route
or path. They extend so as to branch off from module power
terminals 202L and 202R respectively. Incidentally, module
command/address wirings 16 and a module clock wiring 17 may be
handled in a manner similar to the module power wirings 201.
Alternatively, they may be handled in a manner similar to the
module data wirings 15 as shown in FIG. 4.
[0143] FIG. 30A shows a connector 210 for the second memory module
2 with attention to each signal wiring. The connector 210 has a
single vertical trench or groove. Connector terminal sequences are
formed on the right and left internal surfaces of the vertical
groove as viewed in the front/back direction of the sheet.
Connector terminals 211 and 212 are typically shown in the drawing.
Data signal wirings 112 on a motherboard are respectively connected
to the connector terminals 211 and 212, where they are divided.
[0144] FIG. 30B shows the connector 210 for the second memory
module 2 with attention to a power wiring. Connector terminals 213
and 214 typically shown as connector terminals for power are
respectively connected to branch wirings 215 and 216 which branch
off from the power wiring 108. The power wiring 108 is not
electrically divided in the course thereof.
[0145] A cross section of a memory system equipped with memory
modules 2 is shown in FIG. 31A in relation to a signal wiring. When
the memory modules 2 are mounted in their corresponding connectors
210 in the memory system shown in the same drawing, data signal
wirings 112 divided by the connectors 210 are connected to one
another through module data wirings 15 of the memory modules 2.
[0146] A cross section of the memory system equipped with the
memory modules 2 is shown in FIG. 31B in association with a power
wiring. When the memory modules 2 are fitted in their corresponding
connectors 210 in the present memory system, module power terminals
of the memory modules 2 are respectively connected to a power
wiring 108 of a motherboard 101 through power connector terminals
213 and 214 of the connectors 210. Incidentally, the
command/address signal wirings 113 may be connected to each memory
module 2 through the connector 210 from the command/address signal
wirings 113 of the motherboard 101 in the same manner as the power
wiring 108 in FIG. 30B. Of course, they may be connected as shown
in FIG. 31B.
[0147] Even in the case of the second memory module 2 in the same
manner as described above, branching which leads to undesired
signal reflection, is not developed. Each memory chip can
electrically be connected to the data signal wirings of the
motherboard 101 without an increase in wiring length.
[0148] FIG. 32 is a plan view of a third memory module. In the
memory module 3 shown in the same drawing, module data terminal
pairs 24L and 24R are placed so as to adjoin each other on the same
surface and side of a module substrate 10. The terminal pairs 24L
and 24R are respectively connected to one another by module data
wirings 15 laid down on a return or reciprocating basis and
thereafter connected to memory data terminals Dm of one memory chip
11 on a one-stroke writing basis in the course of the module data
wirings 15.
[0149] FIGS. 33A and 33B respectively illustratively show forms in
which the third memory modules 3 are connected to one another by
connectors. FIG. 33A is supposed as a vertical cross-sectional view
at the position of each module data terminal 24L of FIG. 32,
whereas FIG. 33B is assumed as a vertical cross-sectional view at
the position of each module data terminal 24R of FIG. 32. In FIG.
33A, data signal wirings 112 are connected to their corresponding
module data wirings 15 of each memory module 3 through data
connector terminals 301L and module data terminals 24L of each
connector 300 as viewed from a motherboard 101. The module data
wirings 15 include paths folded back on a module substrate 10.
Further, the module data wirings 15 reach the module data terminals
24R adjacent to the module data terminals 24L and are made
conductive to their corresponding data signal wirings 112 of a
motherboard 101 as viewed from data connector terminals 301R of the
connectors 300 as illustrated in FIG. 33B by way example. While a
form for connection to a power wiring 108 on the motherboard 101 is
not illustrated in particular, the power terminal 108 of the
motherboard 101 may be connected to its corresponding module power
terminal of each memory module 3 through the connector in a manner
similar to FIG. 31B.
[0150] Even in the case of the third memory module 3 in the same
manner as described above, each memory chip can electrically be
connected to the data signal wirings without creating branching and
causing an increase in wiring length.
[0151] Dummy memory modules
[0152] Dummy memory modules by which some of memory modules
constituting each memory system can be replaced, will be
explained.
[0153] FIG. 34 is a plan view of a dummy memory module 1A capable
of constituting a memory system by using it together with the first
memory module 1 described in FIG. 4, and FIG. 35 is a side view of
the dummy memory module, respectively. The dummy memory module 1A
shown in the same drawing has a configuration in which the memory
chips 11, command/address buffer chip 12, PLL chip 13, module
command/address distribution wirings 19, module clock distribution
wiring 20 and terminal resistors 22 and 23 are omitted from the
memory module 1 shown in FIG. 4. In other words, the dummy memory
module 1A has module terminal pairs typified by 24L and 25R, module
data wirings 15, module command/address wirings 16, and a module
clock wiring 17 provided on a module substrate 10. If the dummy
memory module 1A shown in FIG. 34 is mounted and used in its
corresponding connectors 104A and 104B in place of the memory
module 1 in the memory system described in FIGS. 1 and 2, then the
memory capacity of the memory system can be changed without
producing branching in the paths of the signal wirings 112, 113 and
117 and causing an increase in wiring length.
[0154] Although not illustrated in particular, if dummy capacities
having reproduced input capacities of chips 11, 12 and 13 are
provided for the wirings 15, 16 and 17 on the dummy memory module
1A, then the disturbance of each waveform can further be restrained
without disturbing effective characteristic impedance.
[0155] FIGS. 36A, 36B and 36C respectively show a dummy memory
module 2A available together with the second memory module 2, in
which FIG. 36A is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a, FIG.
36B is an enlarged surface view, and FIG. 36C is an enlarged back
side view, respectively. The dummy memory module 2A shown in FIG.
36A has a configuration in which devices such as the memory chips
11, etc. are omitted from the memory module 2 shown in FIGS. 29A,
29B and 29C. In short, the dummy memory module 2A comprise module
terminal pairs typified by 24L and 25R, module wirings typified by
15, and through holes 200 for the module wirings, which are
provided on the surface and back surface of the module substrate
10. If the dummy memory module 2A is used in place of the memory
module 2 in the memory system shown in FIG. 31, then the memory
capacity of the memory system can be changed without developing
branching and causing an increase in wiring length.
[0156] FIG. 37 shows a dummy memory module 3A available together
with the third memory module 3. The memory module 3A shown in the
same drawing has a configuration in which devices such as memory
chips 11, etc. are omitted from the memory module 3 shown in FIG.
32. In short, the dummy memory module 3A comprise module terminal
pairs typified by 24L and 25R, and module wirings typified by 15,
which are provided on the surface of a module substrate 10. If the
dummy memory module 3A is used in place of the third memory module
3, then the memory capacity of the memory system can be changed
without developing branching and causing an increase in wiring
length.
[0157] Memory modules for termination
[0158] Memory modules for termination, which are equipped with
terminal resistors each externally attached to a motherboard of a
memory system, will be explained.
[0159] FIGS. 38A and 38B respectively show a memory module 1B for
termination, wherein the first memory module 1 is equipped with
terminal resistors, wherein FIG. 38A is a partly plan view, and
FIG. 38B is a side view, respectively. The memory module 1B shown
in FIGS. 38A and 38B has a configuration in which one module
terminals 24R of the module terminal pairs 24L and 24R or the like
shown in FIG. 1 are removed, terminal resistors 106A are
respectively connected to module data wirings 15 connected to the
remaining module terminals 24L or the like, and terminating power
terminals 30 are connected to the terminal resistors 106A. The back
side of a module substrate 10 is also configured in the same manner
as described above as shown in FIG. 38B.
[0160] FIG. 39 shows a dummy memory module 1C for termination,
which corresponds to the dummy memory module 1A shown in FIG. 34.
The present dummy memory module 1C has a configuration in which one
module terminals 24 or the like of the module terminal pairs 24L
and 24R or the like are omitted from the dummy memory module shown
in FIG. 34, terminal resistors 106A are connected to their
corresponding module data terminals 15 or the like connected to the
remaining module terminals 24L or the like, and terminating power
terminals 30 are connected to their corresponding terminal
resistors 106A.
[0161] If either the memory module 1B shown in FIG. 38 or the
memory module 1C shown in FIG. 39 is used in place of the memory
module 1 in the memory system shown in FIG. 1, then the signal
wirings 112, 113 and 117 on the motherboard 101 can be terminated
on the memory module without using the terminal resistors 106 on
the motherboard 101.
[0162] FIGS. 40A, 40B and 40C respectively show a memory module 2B
for termination, in which the memory module 2 shown in FIGS. 29A,
29B and 29C is equipped with terminal resistors, wherein FIG. 40A
is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a, FIG. 40B is an
enlarged surface view, and FIG. 40C is an enlarged back side view,
respectively. The memory module 2B shown in FIGS. 40A, 40B and 40C
has a configuration in which one module terminals 24R or the like
of the module terminal pairs 24L and 24R or the like shown in FIGS.
29A, 29B and 29C are removed, terminal resistors 106A are connected
to their corresponding module data wirings 15 or the like connected
to the remaining module terminals 24L or the like, and terminating
power terminals 30 are connected to the terminal resistors
106A.
[0163] If the memory module 2B for termination is used in place of
the memory module 2 in the memory system shown in FIGS. 31A and
31B, then the signal wirings 112 can be terminated on the memory
module without using the terminal resistors 106 on the motherboard
101. Other signal wirings 113 and 117 can also adopt a similar
configuration respectively.
[0164] FIG. 41 shows a memory module 3B for termination, in which
the memory module 3 shown in FIG. 32 is equipped with terminal
resistors. The memory module 3B shown in FIG. 41 has a
configuration in which one module terminals 24R or the like of the
module terminal pairs 24L and 24R or the like shown in FIG. 32 are
removed, terminal resistors 106A are connected to their
corresponding module data wirings 15 or the like connected to the
remaining module terminals 24L or the like, and terminating power
terminals 30 are connected to the terminal resistors 106A. If the
memory module 3B for termination is used in place of the memory
module 3 shown in FIG. 32, then the signal wirings 112 and the like
can be terminated on the memory module without using the terminal
resistors 106 on the motherboard 101.
[0165] Other forms of connectors
[0166] Other forms of connectors, which constitute each memory
system, will be explained.
[0167] FIGS. 42 and 43 respectively illustrate other forms of the
connectors 104A and 104B shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by way of example.
FIG. 42 shows a portion connected to data signal wirings 112 in the
form of a cross section, and FIG. 43 shows portions connected to a
power wiring 108 in the form of cross sections. Portions connected
to command/address signal wirings 113 and a clock signal wiring 117
are configured as shown in FIG. 43, for example.
[0168] In short, the configurations shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 are
formed in such a manner that the connectors 104A and 104B shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8 are detachably configured in form divided into two as
viewed in a vertical direction to thereby facilitate the attachment
of the memory modules 1, 1A and 1B.
[0169] Namely, the connector 104A is divided into two of 104Aa and
104Ab. A single connector terminal portion 104Ap formed in
projected form is provided at the bottom of the divided piece or
part 104Aa. Further, a single connector terminal portion 104Ag
formed in recessed form is provided on the upper surface of the
divided part 104Ab. Similarly, two single connector terminal
portions 104Bp1 and 104Bp2 formed in projected form are provided at
the bottom of the divided part 104Ba, and two single connector
terminal portions 104Bg1 and 104Bg2 formed in recessed form are
provided on the upper surface of the divided part 104Bb.
[0170] In FIG. 42, data signal wirings 112 are capable of being
conductive to their corresponding terminals of connector terminal
sequences 130 by connector built-in wirings 135a and 135b at
portions corresponding to the data signal wirings 112, of the
connector terminal portions 104Ap and 104Ag. In FIG. 43, a power
wiring 108 is capable of being conductive to its corresponding
terminals of connector terminal sequences 130 by connector built-in
wirings 137a and 137b at portions corresponding to the power wiring
108, of the connector terminal portions 104Ap and 104Ag. The
connectors 104Aa and 104Ab connected to the command/address signal
wirings 113 and the clock signal wiring 117 are also similar to
FIG. 43.
[0171] Further, terminals corresponding to data signal wirings 112,
of connector terminal sequences 131 and 132 in the divided part
104Ba of the connector 104B are mutually brought into conduction by
connector built-in wirings 133 and 134 as shown in FIG. 42 and are
configured substantially in the same manner as FIG. 7. In FIG. 43,
the power wiring 108 is capable of being conductive to the
corresponding terminals of the connector terminal sequence 131 by
connector built-in wirings 138a and 138b at portions corresponding
to the power wiring 108, of the connector terminal portions 104Bp1
and 104Bg1. Similarly, the power wiring 108 is capable of being
conductive to the corresponding terminals of the connector terminal
sequence 132 by connector built-in wirings 139a and 139b at
portions corresponding to the power wiring 108, of the connector
terminal portions 104Bp2 and 104Bg2. The connectors 104Ba and 104Bb
connected to the command/address signal wirings 113 and the clock
signal wiring 117 are also similar to FIG. 43.
[0172] The operation of mounting memory modules to a memory system
using the connectors shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 is as follows. For
example, the connector terminal sequences 130 of the connector
divided part 104Aa and the connector terminal sequences 131 of the
connector divided part 104Ba are respectively coupled to the right
and left module terminals of the memory module 1. Subsequently, the
connector terminal sequences 132 of the connector divided part
104Ba and the connector terminal sequences 131 of the connector
divided part 104Ba are coupled to the right and left module
terminals of the next memory module 1. Thus, after the required
number of memory modules are horizontally coupled in series, the
connector terminal 104Ap of the connector divided part 104Aa
connected to the memory module is connected to its corresponding
connector terminal 104Ag of the connector divided part 104Ab.
Further, the connector terminals 104Bp1 and 104Bp2 of the connector
divided part 104Ba connected to the memory module are connected to
their corresponding connector terminals 104Bg1 and 104Bg2 of the
connector divided part 104Bb. Thus, since a space necessary for the
operation of installation of each memory module takes only a space
above the memory system, another device can be installed around the
memory system or the memory system can be placed in a location
surrounded by walls.
[0173] FIG. 44 shows an example of a memory module partly provided
with connector's functions. The memory module 1C shown in the same
drawing takes a configuration in which connector terminal sequences
132E respectively having functions equivalent to the connector
terminal sequences 132 shown in FIG. 43 and a connector terminal
portion 104BpE having a function equivalent to the connector
terminal portion 104Bp2 are added to the memory module 1 shown in
FIG. 4. The connector terminal sequences 132E are connected to
their corresponding module data wirings 15, and the connector
terminal portion 104BpE is connected to the corresponding module
power wirings, module command/address wirings 16 and module clock
wiring 17. A connector 104B is placed on a motherboard 101 in
association with the connector terminal portion 104BpE. Owing to
the configuration shown in FIG. 44, the quantity of work for
connecting the memory modules to the motherboard can be reduced as
compared with the configurations shown in FIGS. 42 and 43. Further,
the number of parts employed in the memory system can be reduced.
This configuration is also considered to be capable of contributing
to a reduction in the cost of the memory system.
[0174] FIG. 45 shows portions at which connectors corresponding to
other forms applicable to the memory module 1 are connected to
their corresponding data signal wirings 112, in the form of cross
sections. Connectors 154, 155 and 156 respectively have connector
terminals 154A, 155A and 156A formed in upward recessed trenches
and are capable of allowing the memory module 1 to uprise and
supporting it. A connector 157 has connector terminals 157A and
157B formed in downward recessed trenches and allows a pair of
vertically-set memory modules 1 to be inserted therein. The data
signal wirings 112 on a motherboard 101 are connected to a
connector terminal 154A through in-connector wirings 154a and 154b,
a connector terminal 155A through in-connector wirings 155a and
155b, a connector terminal 156A through in-connector wirings 156a
and 156b, and connector terminals 157A and 157B through
in-connector wirings 157a and 157b, respectively. Thus, when the
memory modules 1 are mounted in the connectors 154, 155 and 157,
the wirings 154a, 157a and 156a are made conductive to their
corresponding data signal wirings 112, and the wirings 154b, 157b
and 156b are made conductive to their corresponding data signal
wirings 112. The memory modules 1 are capable of being conductive
to the data signal wirings 112 without having branching.
[0175] FIG. 46 shows portions at which connectors corresponding to
further forms applicable to the memory module 1 are connected to
their corresponding data signal wirings 112, in the form of cross
sections. A connector 164 has a connector terminal 164A formed in
an upward recessed trench. A connector 165 has connector terminals
165A and 165B formed in upward recessed trenches and is capable of
allowing the memory module 1 to uprise and supporting it. A
connector 166 has connector terminals 166A and 166B formed in
downward recessed trenches and allows a pair of vertically-set
memory modules 1 to be inserted therein. The data signal wirings
112 on a motherboard 101 are connected to the connector terminal
164A through in-connector wirings 164a and 164b. The connector
terminals 165A and 165B are connected to each other through
in-connector wirings 165a and 165b. The connector terminals 166A
and 166B are connected to each other through in-connector wirings
166a and 166b. Thus, when the memory modules 1 are mounted in the
connectors 164, 165 and 167, the wirings 164a, 166a and 165a are
made conductive to their corresponding data signal wirings 112, and
the wirings 164b, 166b and 165b are made conductive to their
corresponding data signal wirings 112. The memory modules 1 are
capable of being conductive to the data signal wirings 112 without
having branching.
[0176] FIG. 47 shows a cross section of a power wiring portion
associated with the connectors shown in FIG. 46. A power wiring 108
on a motherboard 101 branches off in the course thereof, which in
turn are connected to corresponding power terminals of the
connector terminals 164A and 165A through in-connector wirings 164c
and 165c.
[0177] FIG. 48 shows a state in which memory modules are mounted in
the connectors shown in FIGS. 46 and 47. If the connectors 164
through 166 are used, the a memory system for connecting memory
elements to their corresponding data signal wirings can be formed
on a motherboard in a small occupied area without creating
branching and causing an increase in wiring length. This is
identical even when the connectors 154 through 157 shown in FIG. 45
are used. Even in relation to the connections of command/address
signal wirings 113 and a clock signal wiring 117, the connectors
shown in FIG. 45 or 46 may be used.
[0178] Other forms of memory system
[0179] A perspective view of FIG. 49A and a side view of FIG. 49B
respectively show a still further form of a memory module. The
memory module 1C shown in the same drawings is different from the
memory module 1 in that a module terminal pair 170L and 170R
typified by the data terminal pair 24L and 24R is formed in a
direction orthogonal to a module substrate 10.
[0180] FIG. 50 shows one example of a memory system equipped with
the memory modules shown in FIGS. 49A and 49B. Although not
restricted in particular, the connectors 164 and 165 shown in FIG.
46 are used as connectors on a motherboard 101. The connectors 154,
155 and 156 or the like shown in FIG. 45 may be used. Since the
connector 166 shown in FIG. 46 and the connector 157 shown in FIG.
45 become unnecessary and a space necessary for the work of
installation of each memory module is directed only above the
memory system, another device can be installed around the memory
system or the memory system can be installed in a location
surrounded by walls.
[0181] FIG. 51 shows one example in which the memory system shown
in FIG. 1 is formed on one substrate 260 without using connectors
and memory modules. Consequently, the memory system can be brought
into less size and is capable of shortening a data access time. The
number of parts is reduced, thereby contributing to a cost
reduction. Further, the memory system may be formed on both
surfaces of the same substrate 260 as shown in FIG. 52 by way of
example. It is thus possible to increase the capacity of each
memory simultaneously with a size reduction.
[0182] As shown in FIG. 53 by way of example, the memory system 261
shown in FIG. 52 is mounted on a substrate 263 together with a CPU
262, and the whole body may be sealed with a package 264 to form an
MCM (Multi Chip Module). The CPU 262 is electrically connected to a
main controller 102 of the memory module 261 and obtains access to
each memory chip 11 through the memory controller 102.
[0183] A personal computer system is illustrated in FIG. 54 as one
example of a data processing system using the memory system
described above. Although not restricted in particular, the
personal computer system has a processor bus BUS1 whose operating
speed is comparatively fast, and a peripheral bus BUS2 whose
operating speed is relatively slow. A microprocessor 280
corresponding to one example of a data processor, an L2 cache
memory 281, and the above-described memory system 282 are connected
to the processor bus BUS1. It is needless to say that the
above-described memory systems represented in various forms can be
applied as the memory system 282. On the other hand, a
configuration provided with a memory controller 102 and a memory
module 1 is typically illustrated in FIG. 54. The microprocessor
280 incorporates a CPU, an L1 cache memory, etc. therein and
obtains access to a memory chip with the memory module 1 built
therein, as a main memory. A bridge circuit 284 performs control on
an interface between the processor bus BUS1 and the peripheral bus
BUS2. An IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) controller 287, a
graphics controller 285, and another interface controller 288 are
connected to the peripheral bus BUS2. The IDE controller 287 is
connected to an auxiliary storage device 290 such as hard disk
drive or the like and performs disk access control. The graphics
controller 285 is connected to a frame buffer memory 286 and a
display 291 and performs drawing control and display control.
Another peripheral circuit 292 such as a keyboard, a pointing
device or the like is connected to another interface controller
288.
[0184] If the memory system 282 is adopted in the personal computer
system, then a signal waveform is not disturbed even if the
frequency of the memory system increases. Further, the latency is
also restrained and high-speed data transmission is allowed.
Therefore, this contributes to an increase in the speed for
processing data by the computer system.
[0185] While the invention made by the present inventors has been
described above specifically based on the embodiments, the present
invention is not limited to the embodiments. It is needless to say
that various changes can be made thereto within the scope not
departing from the substance thereof.
[0186] For example, a memory chip is not limited to a synchronous
DRAM, and another storage type memory may be used in place of it. A
memory system may be implemented by employing connectors having
configurations other than those for the above-described connectors
in memory modules.
[0187] A memory module according to the present invention is
particularly effective for application to a personal computer, a
work station, or a computer system requiring a large capacity
memory, like a server.
[0188] Advantageous effects obtained by a typical one of the
inventions disclosed in the present application will be described
in brief as follows:
[0189] Namely, the disturbance of each signal waveform due to
signal reflection can be controlled to improve the reliability of
signal transmission. Further, the stability of a memory operation
is improved, and an increase in access time can be restrained.
[0190] If a memory module according to the present invention is
applied to a computer system, then no signal waveform is disturbed
even if the frequency of the memory system is increased, and data
can be transmitted at high speed while latency is being controlled.
It is therefore possible to increase the speed for processing data
by a computer system.
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