Memory devices, modules and systems having memory devices with varying physical dimensions, memory formats, and operational capabilities

Abstract

An apparatus is provided, comprising a plurality of memory devices and a buffering device that permits memory devices with a variety of physical dimensions and memory formats to be used in an industry-standard memory module format. The buffering device includes memory interface circuitry and at least one first-in first-out (FIFO) or multiplexer circuit. The apparatus further comprises a parallel bus connecting the buffering device to the plurality of memory devices. The parallel bus includes a plurality of independent control lines, each coupling the memory interface circuitry to a corresponding subset of a plurality of first subsets of the plurality of memory devices. The parallel bus further includes a plurality of independent data channels, each coupling the at least one FIFO circuit or multiplexer circuit to a corresponding subset of a plurality of second subsets of the plurality of memory devices.