The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 28, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 29, 2003
Brett A. Tischler, Longmont, CO (US);
Brett A. Tischler, Longmont, CO (US);
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
For use with a memory controller in a data processor that is capable of executing memory refresh requests to refresh a memory of the data processor, an apparatus and method is disclosed for scheduling execution of the memory refresh requests. The apparatus comprises a periodic memory refresh hint unit that is capable of sending to the memory controller a data signal that comprises a periodic memory refresh hint. The periodic memory refresh hint informs the memory controller of an optimal time for a memory refresh to occur. The memory controller may immediately execute a memory refresh request when it arrives or delay the execution of the memory refresh request until a more opportune time. This feature enables the memory controller to reduce memory access latency in scheduling memory transactions.