Memory controller and method for coupling a network and a memory

Abstract

A memory controller (SMC) is provided for coupling a memory (MEM) to a network (N; IM). The memory controller (SMC) comprises a first interface (PI) for connecting the memory controller (SMC) to the network (N; IM). The first interface (PI) is arranged for receiving and transmitting data streams (ST-ST). A streaming memory unit (SMU) is coupled to the first interface (PI) for controlling data streams (ST-ST) between the network (N; IM) and the memory (MEM). Said streaming memory unit (SMU) comprises a buffer (B) for temporarily storing at least part of the data streams (ST-ST). A buffer managing unit (BMU) is provided for managing a temporarily storing of data streams (ST-ST) in the buffer (B) in a first and second operation mode (1OM; 2OM). In the first operation mode (1OM), data from the data streams (ST-ST) to be stored in the memory (MEM) are temporarily stored in the buffer (B) until a portion of the buffer (B) is occupied. In the second operation mode (2OM), after the portion of the buffer (B) is occupied, the buffer managing unit (BMU) divides the buffer (B) into a pre-fetch buffer (PFB) for buffering pre-fetched data from the memory (MEM) and a write-back buffer (WBB) for buffering data to be written back to the memory (MEM).