Intel Corporation

Bryan L Spry

Christopher P Mozak

John V Lovelace

Theodore Zale Schoenborn

Kevin B Moore

Christopher E Yunker

Avinash N Ananthakrishnan

Lily Pao Looi

Brent Ralph Boswell

Zale Theodore Schoenborn

Aimee D Wood

Deepak M Rangaraj

Marcus W Song

Robert J Hayes

Adam E Letendre

Krishnakanth Venkata Sistla

Mikal Hunsaker

Su Wei Lim

Michael W Leddige

Zvika Greenfield

Bruce Querbach

David G Ellis

Shaun M Conrad

Ronald W Swartz

Stanley Steve Kulick

Vui Yong Liew

Rohit R Verma

Jeffrey D Gilbert

Jay Joseph Nejedlo

Philip Abraham

Jayasekhar Tholiyil

Rony Ghattas

Chris Yunker

Harris D Joyce

Charles D Lucas

Balaji P Ramamoorthy

Improved power control techniques for integrated peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) controllers are described. In one embodiment, for example, a processor circuit may comprise an integrated PCIe controller and logic to detect a power reduction trigger, disable the integrated PCIe controller, and remove power from the integrated PCIe controller based on a power removal setting for the integrated PCIe controller. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Power control techniques for integrated PCIe controllers

Described herein is an apparatus for dynamically adjusting a voltage reference level for optimizing an I/O system to achieve a certain performance metric. The apparatus comprises: a voltage reference generator to generate a voltage reference; and a dynamic voltage reference control unit, coupled with the voltage reference generator, to dynamically adjust a level of the voltage reference in response to an event. The apparatus is used to perform the method comprising: generating a voltage reference for an input/output (I/O) system; determining a worst case voltage level of the voltage reference; dynamically adjusting, via a dynamic voltage reference control unit, the voltage reference level based on determining the worst case voltage level; and computing a center of an asymmetrical eye based on the dynamically adjusted voltage reference level.

Method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting voltage reference to optimize an I/O system

Techniques and mechanisms for configuring an integrated circuit (IC) chip to implement a protocol stack. In an embodiment, a transaction layer of the IC chip is operable to exchange with a link layer of the IC chip transaction layer packets (TLPs) having a format compatible with one defined in a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express&#x2122; (PCIe&#x2122;) specification. Configuration circuitry of the IC chip provides for configuration of a first protocol stack including the transaction layer, circuitry of the link layer and a first physical layer of the IC chip. The configuration circuitry further provides for an alternative configuration of a second protocol stack including the transaction layer, circuitry of the link layer and a second physical layer of the IC chip. In another embodiment, the first protocol stack supports single-ended signaling to communicate TLP information, whereas the second protocol stack supports differential signaling to communicate TLP information.

Method, apparatus and system for configuring a protocol stack of an integrated circuit chip

Techniques and mechanisms for exchanging single-ended communications with a protocol stack of an integrated circuit package. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) chip includes a protocol stack comprising a transaction layer which performs operations compatible with a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express&#x2122; (PCIe&#x2122;) specification. Transaction layer packets, exchanged between the transaction layer and a link layer of the protocol stack, are compatible with a PCIe&#x2122; format. In another embodiment, a physical layer of the protocol stack is to couple the IC chip to another IC chip for an exchange of the transaction layer packets via single-ended communications. A packaged device includes both of the IC chips.

Method, apparatus and system for single-ended communication of transaction layer packets

REUT (Robust Electrical Unified Testing) for memory links is introduced which speeds testing, tool development, and debug. In addition it provides training hooks that have enough performance to be used by BIOS to train parameters and conditions that have not been possible with past implementations. Address pattern generation circuitry is also disclosed.

Robust memory link testing using memory controller

Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for the active training of memory command timing. In some embodiments, the CMD/CTL timing is actively trained using active feedback between memory modules and the memory controller. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Active training of memory command timing

In an embodiment, the effect of signal phase difference on a memory system is tested for various operating states. The various operating states may be represented as respective sample points on a plane defined by a range of values for a difference in signal phases and a range of values for another operating state parameter. In various embodiments, sample points for a round of crosstalk testing may include two sample points which are offset from the same reference point on the plane along different respective axes, where the axes are oblique to one another.

Method and system for evaluating effects of signal phase difference on a memory system

An apparatus and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus trains a memory link using a signal alignment unit. The signal alignment unit aligns a read data strobe signal that is transmitted on the link with the center of a read data eye transmitted on the link. Next, the signal alignment unit aligns a receive enable signal that is transmitted on the link with the absolute time that data returns the data lines of the link a column address strobe signal is sent to the memory coupled to the link. Next, the signal alignment unit aligns a write data strobe signal transmitted on the link with the link's clock signal. Finally, the signal alignment unit aligns the center of the write data eye transmitted on the link with the write data strobe transmitted on the link.

Memory link training

A system and method for signaling a deferred response to a data request in a bus connected system is described. In one embodiment, a responding agent on the bus issues a deferred response message when it cannot supply the requested data in a short period of time. When the responding agent knows that the requested data will shortly arrive in its buffers, it may first send an identification signal to the requesting agent, indicating to the requesting agent that it should prepare to receive the data shortly. After one or more bus clock cycles, the responding agent may then subsequently send the corresponding data message to the requesting agent.

System and method to reduce memory latency in microprocessor systems connected with a bus

A method and apparatus to implement monitor primitives when a processor employs an inclusive shared last level cache. By the employing an inclusive last level cache, the processor is almost always able to complete a monitor transaction without requiring self snooping through the system interconnect.

Monitor implementation in a multicore processor with inclusive LLC

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Portland, OR, United States of America

Bryan L Spry