Predictive prefetch of a memory page

Abstract

In a memory controller, a prefetch indication can be sent to memory to prepare the memory for a potential future read or write. Statistics can be used to select when such a prefetch should occur. The prefetch can occur without any read or write command being commenced. As a result, the memory controller predicts when to perform the prefetch. Some examples of when a prefetch can be sent include when there are other requests for the same memory page, or how often the page is requested. The page can remain open to prevent it from closing until the relevant read or write arrives. In the case that a read or write does not occur after a predetermined period of time, then a precharge can be performed to release the memory page.