28-11-2013 дата публикации
Номер: US20130315022A1
Disclosed are embodiments of a multi-bank random access memory (RAM) structure that provides signal buffering at both the global and local connector level for improved performance. Specifically, inverters are incorporated into the global connector(s), which traverse groups of memory banks and which transmit signals (e.g., address signals, control signals, and/or data signals) from a memory controller, and also into alternating groups of local connectors, which connect nodes on the global connector(s) to corresponding groups of memory banks, such that any of the signals that are received by the memory banks from the memory controller via the global and local connectors are buffered by an even number of inverters and are thereby true signals. Signal buffering at both the global and local connector level results in relatively fast slews, short propagation delays, and low peak power consumption with minimal, if any, increase in area consumption. 1. A memory structure comprising:groups of memory banks, each group of memory banks comprising at least one memory bank;a global connector traversing said groups of memory banks and comprising first inverters electrically connected in series; andgroups of local connectors electrically connecting nodes on said global connector to said groups of memory banks,each group of local connectors comprising at least one local connector,each portion of said global connector between adjacent nodes comprising a single first inverter, andin alternating groups of local connectors across said global connector, each local connector further comprising a second inverter such that any signals received by any memory bank via said global connector are buffered by an even number of inverters.2. The memory structure of claim 1 , said signals comprising any of address signals claim 1 , control signals and data signals.3. The memory structure of claim 1 , said second inverter being smaller than said first inverters.4. The memory structure of claim 1 , ...
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