US 12,190,996 B2
Memory controller and a method for controlling access to a memory module
Yi Li, Shanghai (CN); Gang Shan, Shanghai (CN); Guohui Li, Shanghai (CN); and Chunhui Zhang, Shanghai (CN)
Assigned to MONTAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., Shanghai (CN)
Filed by MONTAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., Shanghai (CN)
Filed on May 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/326,352.
Claims priority of application No. 202010440689.5 (CN), filed on May 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0366528 A1, Nov. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. G06F 21/00 (2013.01); G06F 21/44 (2013.01); G11C 7/10 (2006.01); G11C 8/18 (2006.01); G11C 8/20 (2006.01)
CPC G11C 8/18 (2013.01) [G06F 21/44 (2013.01); G11C 7/1057 (2013.01); G11C 7/1084 (2013.01); G11C 8/20 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A memory controller coupled between a memory module and a host controller to control access of the host controller to the memory module, wherein the memory controller comprises:
a central buffer coupled between the host controller and the memory module, wherein the central buffer is configured to receive a command/address signal from the host controller via a command/address channel, and selectively provide the command/address signal to the memory module, and the central buffer is further configured to receive an identity authentication message identifying a source of the command/address signal from the host controller, wherein the central buffer comprises a main signal path and a branch signal path, wherein the main signal path is between a receiving side and an output side of the command/address channel, and the branch signal path is coupled to the main signal path through an access control module, wherein the central buffer comprises:
a verification module, wherein the verification module is coupled in the branch signal path, and further coupled to the command/address channel to receive the command/address signal and the identity authentication message, and configured to determine whether the command/address signal conforms to an authority management rule based on the identity authentication message and generate a determination result; and
the access control module, wherein the access control module is coupled in the main signal path and further coupled to the command/address channel to receive the command/address signal, and coupled to the verification module to receive the determination result generated by the verification module, wherein the access control module is configured to process the command/address signal based on the determination result generated by the verification module to selectively provide the command/address signal to the memory module.