Memory device having multiple read buffers for read latency reduction

Abstract

A memory device can include: a memory array arranged to store data lines; an interface that receives a first read command requesting bytes of data in a consecutively addressed order from a starting byte; a cache memory having a first buffer storing a first data line including the starting byte, and a second buffer storing a second data line, from the cache memory or the memory array; output circuitry that accesses data from the first buffer, and sequentially outputs each byte from the starting byte through a highest addressed byte of the first data line; and from the second buffer and sequentially outputs each byte from a lowest addressed byte of the second data line until the requested bytes of data have been output in order to execute the first read command, the contents of the first and second buffers being maintained in the cache memory.