Patent ID: 6392935
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A method of reading and writing data to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) comprising the steps of:(a) detecting a data transfer request over one or more data ports for performing a transfer of data for a memory array, wherein the data transfer request includes an indication of how much of the data is to be transferred; (b) identifying a first address in the memory array and a starting point associated therewith, wherein first the address comprises a plurality of memory banks, and each of the memory banks includes a predetermined number of memory cells and the starting point provides an indication of which of the memory cells the transfer is to begin; (c) initiating the data transfer to the first address according to the data transfer request, wherein the data transfer is performed in a substantially sequential manner beginning at the memory cell associated with the starting point and terminating upon a first occurrence of: the data transfer request is fulfilled or a last memory cell in the first address is employed in the data transfer process; (d) monitoring the data transfer to the first address to determine if all the data identified in the data transfer request has been transferred; (e) if all the data in the data transfer request is transferred, returning to step (a); and (f) if all the data in the data transfer request is not transferred to the first address, identifying a portion of the data which was not transferred and generating a new data transfer request which includes the portion of the data which was not transferred and returning to step (a).