Memory request modulation

Abstract

Described apparatuses and methods enable a receiver of requests, such as a memory device, to modulate the arrival of future requests using a credit-based communication protocol. A transmitter of requests can be authorized to transmit a request responsive to possession of a credit corresponding to the communication request. In these situations, if the transmitter has exhausted a supply of credits, the transmitter waits until a credit is returned before transmitting another request. The receiver of the requests can manage credit returns based on whether a request queue has space to receive another request. Further, the receiver can delay a credit return based on how many requests are pending at the receiver, even if space is available in the request queue. This delay can prevent an oversupply of requests from developing downstream of the request queue. Latency, for instance, can be improved by managing the presence of requests that are downstream.