Friday, August 25, 2006
Introduction Since I wrote “Understanding DDR Serial Presence Detect (SPD) Table” in 2003, I have been getting a lot a feedback from readers. Some of you told me that you are using this article to train your employees, and to introduce the mysteries SPD concept to your customers. I feel honored by your responses. Lately, some of you had encouraged me to add the DDR2 SPD Table. Since the DDR2 DIMM has taken mainstream recently, I think this is the time to add an article for the DDR2 SPD Table. Due to the many more years of development, the DDR2 SPD table has definitely got more sophisticated than the original DDR SPD table. Your attention is required to understand and follow through. I will try to use as much layman language, as I can to accommodate you all.
Picture of a 8pin-SPD EEPROM made by Atmel
Serial Presence Detect (SPD) data is probably the most misunderstood subject in the memory module industry. Most people only know it as the little Eprom device on the DIMM that often kept the module from working properly in the computer. On the contrary, it is quite the opposite. The SPD data actually provide vital information to the system Bios to keep the system working in optimal condition with the memory DIMM. This article attempts to guide you through the construction of an SPD table with “Turbo-Tax” type of multiple choices questions. I hope you’ll find it interesting and useful.
Byte 0 Number of Serial PD Bytes written during module production This field describes the total number of bytes used by the module manufacturer for the SPD data and any (optional) specific supplier information. The byte count includes the fields for all required and optional data. For most manufacturers, they do not insert optional data and the resulting data (in hex) would normally be: 128Byte: 80h 256Byte: FFh Byte 1 Total number of Bytes in Serial PD device This field describes the total size of the serial memory used to hold the Serial Presence Detect data, device used is usually 128 Bytes or 256 Bytes with 256 Bytes as the most common. 256 Byte (24C02) (34C02) with Software Write Protect function (34C02B)with Reversible Software Write Protect function : 08h 128 Byte (24C01): 07h Byte 2 Fundamental Memory Type This refers to the DRAM type. In this case, we are only dealing with DDR2 SDRAM. DDR2 SDRAM: 08h Byte 3 Number of Row Addresses on this assembly This relates to the DRAM size as well as the Refresh scheme of the DRAM. The best way to discover this is to use the AutoID function of the CST DIMM tester. You would first run the AutoID on the tester.
You then use the [Edit] [AdrDat] function to display the Row and Column Address counts. 15: 0Fh 14: 0Eh 13: 0Dh 12: 0Ch Byte 4 Number of Column Addresses on this assembly This relates to the DRAM size as well as the Refresh scheme of the DRAM. The best way to discover this is to use the AutoID function of the CST DIMM tester. You would first run the AutoID on the tester. You then use the [Edit] [AdrDat] function to display the Row and Column Address counts. 13: 0Dh 12: 0Ch 11: 0Bh 10: 0Ah 09: 09h Byte 5 Module Attributes - Number of Physical Banks on DIMM, Package and Height
This is a multi-purpose field that involves calculations and bit combination. A Flash program combine them together and give you an automatic result after you have selected the different attributes.
Byte 6 Module Data Width of this assembly This refers to the number of data bit width on the module. For a standard 8 byte DIMM, 64 bits would be most common while an 8 byte ECC module would have 72 bits. Some special module might even have up to 144 bits. In any case, a CST tester Auto ID function would tell you this number in plain English. 32 bit: 20h 64 bit: 40h 72 bit: 48h 144 bit: 90h Byte 7 Reserved Not available: 00h Byte 8 Voltage Interface Level of this assembly This refers to the power supply voltage Vdd of the DIMM. Standard DDR2 SDRAM module would be SSTL 1.8V 1.8V DDR2: 05h Recommended Default Byte 9 SDRAM Device Cycle time This commonly referred to the clock frequency of the DIMM. Running at its specified CL latency. 5.0 ns (400Mhz): 50h 3.75 ns (533Mhz): 3Dh 3.0 ns (667Mhz): 30h 2.5 ns (800Mhz): 25h Byte 10 SDRAM Device Access from Clock (tAC) This byte defines the maximum clock to data out time for the SDRAM module. You can normally read off the tAC specification on the Timing Parameter table. +/-0.6 ns: 60h +/-0.5 ns: 50h +/-0.45 ns: 45h +/-0.40 ns: 40h Byte 11 DIMM Configuration Type This is to identify the DIMM as ECC, Parity, or Non-parity. Normally non-parity is related to 64 bit module, Parity and ECC are related to 72 bit or higher memory bit width on the module. NonECC: 00h ECC: 02h Address/Command Parity with ECC: 06h Byte 12 Refresh Rate This byte describes the module's refresh rate and if it is self-refreshing or non-self refreshing. Today, most standard modules would be capable of self-refreshing. The refresh time is easily read from the DRAM manufacturer data sheet. Refresh time can be listed in two different ways. 1. In Refresh Interval Time. For example: 15.6usec. or 7.8usec. 2. In milli-seconds per x Refresh Cycles. For example: 62.4ms in 8K refresh This can be converted back into refresh interval time with the equation: Refresh Interval = Total Refresh Period/number of refresh cycles. 15.6 us Self-refresh (4K): 80h 7.8 us Self-refresh (8K): 82h 15.6 us non Self-refresh : 00h 7.8 us non Self-refresh : 02h Byte 13 Primary SDRAM Width This refers to the bit width of the primary data SDRAM. For a standard DIMM module. 4 bits: 04h 8 bits: 08h 16 bits: 10h Byte 14 Error Checking SDRAM Width This refers to the bit width of the error checking DRAM. For a standard module, it is either no ECC bit, or 8 bits on a regular 8 byte module. It can also be 16 bits on a 144 bit (16 byte) module. No-ECC: 00h 8bits: 08h 16bits: 10h Byte 15 Reserved Not available: 00h Byte 16 Burst Lengths Supported This is indicates the burst length supported. In DDR2, standard DRAM are all 4, 8 burst supported. 4, 8 Burst length supported: 0Ch Byte 17 Number of Banks on SDRAM Device This is referring to the internal bank on the DRAM chip. All modern DDR2 chips under 1Gbit have 4 internal banks. For chips at 1Gbit or above, they have 8 internal banks. 4 Internal Banks: 04h 8 Internal Banks (for 1Gb or 2Gb chips only): 08h Byte 18 CAS Latency (CL) This refers to the all the different Cas Latency supported by your chip. This can vary with the frequency you operate your DIMM. This number can be read off your DRAM data sheet. CL=3 and 4 supported: 18h CL=4 and 5 supported: 30h CL=5 and 6 supported: 60h CL=5 supported: 20h CL=6 supported: 40h Byte 19 DIMM Mechanical Characteristics This defines the module thickness where the maximum thickness includes all assembly parts: devices, heat spreaders, or other mechanical components. This information together with the DIMM type, allows the system to adjust for thermal operation specifications.
Byte 20 DIMM type information This byte identifies the DDR2 SDRAM memory module type. Each module type specified in this Byte 20 defines a unique index for module thickness specified in Byte 19, which may be used in conjunction with thermal specifications in Bytes 21 and 47-61 to adjust system operation conditions based on installed modules.
Undefined 00h Regular Registered DIMM: 01h Regular Unbuffered DIMM: 02h SO-DIMM: 04h Micro-DIMM: 08h Mini-Registered DIMM: 10h Mini-Unbuffered DIMM: 20h Byte 21 SDRAM Module Attributes This byte involves 4 main items. Bit 0-1 signifies the number of registers on the DIMM. Bit 2-3 signifies the number of PLL’s on the DIMM. Bit 4 indicates if any on board FET switch is enabled. Bit 6 indicates if an analysis probe is installed. In most cases, Bit 4 and Bit 6 are not used. The resulting hex code is calculated as follows: 0 PLL chip and 1 Register chip 00h 0 PLL chip and 2 Register chip 01h 1 PLL chip and 1 Register chip 04h 1 PLL chip and 2 Register chip 05h 2 PLL chip and 1 Register chip 08h 2 PLL chip and 2 Register chip 09h Byte 22 SDRAM Device Attributes –General This byte is a multi-purpose byte. It includes PASR (Partial Array Self Refresh) , 50 ohm ODT enable and also support of Weak Driver. The resultant hex code is calculated based on the selection you made. Supports PASR Supports 50 ohm Supports weak driver HEX No No No 00h No No Yes 01h No Yes No 02h No Yes Yes 03h Yes No No 04h Yes No Yes 05h Yes Yes No 06h Yes Yes Yes 07h Byte 23 SDRAM Min Clock Cycle at CLX-1 This is referred to the speed (or frequency) the DRAM can run at when the Cas Latency is reduced by 1 clock. This data can be looked up from the datasheet of the DRAM. This is usually listed at the first page of the data sheet where it mentioned highest frequency it can run at a certain Cas latency setting.
De-rated latency
3.0ns (667 Mhz): 30h 3.75 ns (533Mhz) : 3Dh
5.0 ns (400Mhz) 50h Undefined: 00h Byte 24 Max Data Access Time(tAC) at CLX-1 This is referred to DQ output access time from CK/CK* at when the Cas Latency is reduced by 1 clock. This data can be looked up from the datasheet of the DRAM. This is usually listed as tAC on the data sheet where it mention maximum frequency it can run at a certain CAS latency setting. +/-0.45ns: 45h +/-0.5 ns: 50h +/-0.6 ns: 60h Undefined: 00h Byte 25 SDRAM Min Clock Cycle at CLX-2 This is referred to the speed the DRAM can run at when the Cas Latency is forced to reduce by two notches. This data can be looked up from the datasheet of the DRAM. This is usually listed at the first page of the data sheet where it mentioned the frequency it can run at a certain Cas latency setting. 3.75 ns (533Mhz): 3Dh 5.0 ns (400Mhz): 50h Undefined: 00h Byte 26 Max Data Access Time(tAC)CLX-2 This is referred to DQ output access time from CK/CK* at when the Cas Latency is reduced by 2 clock. This data can be looked up from the datasheet of the DRAM. This is usually listed as tAC on the data sheet where it mention maximum frequency it can run at a certain CAS latency setting. +/-0.45ns: 45h +/-0.5 ns: 50h +/-0.6 ns: 60h Byte 27 Minimum Row Pre-charge Time (tRP) This is tRP min read off the DRAM data sheet. 15 ns: 3Ch Byte 28 Minimum Row to Row Access Delay (tRRD) This is the tRRD min time read off the DRAM data sheet. (x4,x8) 7.5ns: lEh (x16) 10 ns: 28h Byte 29 Minimum Ras to Cas Delay (tRCD) This is the tRCD min time read off the DRAM data sheet 15 ns: 3Ch Byte 30 Minimum Active to Pre-charge Time (tRAS) This is the tRAS min time read of the DRAM data sheet. 40 ns: 28h (For DDR2 533/400Mhz) 39 ns 27h (For DDR2 667 Mhz) Byte 31 Module Bank Density This refers to the Mega-Byte in each physical bank (per rank) on the DIMM. For example: if a 256MB module has two physical banks, then each physical bank should have 128MB. 128MB: 20h 256MB: 40h 512MB: 80h 1G: 01h 2G: 02h 4G: 04h
Byte 32 Address and Command Input Setup Time Before Clock (tIS) This refers to the time of the address and command lines have to occur before the next clock edge. It is labeled as tIS min in the case of DDR2. DDR2 (tIS) 0.2ns: 20h 0.25 ns: 25h 0.30 ns: 30h 0.35 ns: 35h Byte 33 Address and Command Input Hold Time After Clock (tIH) This refers to the period of time the address and command lines have to hold after the last clock edge has appeared. It is labeled as tIH min in the case of DDR2. 0.275 ns: 27h 0.325ns: 32h 0.375 ns: 37h 0.475 ns: 47h Byte 34 SDRAM Device Data/Data Mask Input setup Time Before Data Strobe (tDS) This refers to the time of the Data and Data Mask lines have to occur before the next clock edge. It is labeled as tDS min in the case of DDR2. DDR2(tDS) 0.05ns: 05h 0.10 ns: 10h 0.15 ns: 15h Byte 35 Address and Command Input Hold Time After Clock (tDH) This refers to the period of time the Data and Data Mask lines have to hold after the last clock edge has appeared. It is labeled as tDH min in the case of DDR2. DDR2(tDH)0.175ns: 17h 0.225 ns: 22h 0.275 ns: 27h Byte 36 Write recovery time (tWR) This byte describes the write recovery time(tWR)min 15.0 ns: 3Ch Byte 37 Internal write to read command delay (tWTR) This byte describes the internal write to read command delay (tWTR)min 7.5 ns: 1Eh 10.0 ns: 28h Byte 38 Internal read to pre-charge command delay (tRTP) This byte describes internal read to precharge command delay (tRTP) 7.5 ns: 1Eh Byte 39 Memory Analysis Probe Characteristics This byte describes various functional and parametric characteristics of the memory analysis probe connected to this DIMM slot. These characteristics may be consulted by the BIOS to determine proper bus drive strength to account for additional bus loading of the probe. It also describes functional characteristics of the probe that may be used to configure the memory controller to drive proper diagnostic signals to the probe, such as via the TEST,NC pin Not available: 00h Default value if probe is not described Byte 40 Extension of Byte 41 tRC and Byte 42 tRFC This byte serves as an extension when Byte 41 or Byte 42 has run out of space to accommodate the bigger value When tRFC (byte 42) is 127.5ns, byte 40 is: 06h When tRFC (byte 42) is 327.5ns, byte 40 is: 07h When tRC (byte 41) is 63.75ns, byte 40 is: 50h When tRC (byte 41) is 65ns, byte 40 is: 00h Byte 41 Minimum Active to Active Auto Refresh Time (tRCmin) 53ns: 35h 54ns: 36h 55 ns: 37h 60 ns: 3Ch 63.75ns: 8Eh 65ns: 41h Byte 42 Minimum Auto Refresh to Active Auto Refresh Time (tRFC) This byte identifies the minimum Auto-Refresh to Active/Auto-Refresh Command Period (tRFC). (256Mb)75 ns: 4Bh (512Mb)105 ns: 69h (1Gb) 127.5ns: 7Fh (2Gb) 195ns: C3h (4Gb) 327.5ns: 47h Byte 43 Maximum Device Cycle time (tCKmax) 8 ns: 80h Byte 44 Maximum Skew Between DQS and DQ (tDQSQ) Maximum DQS tolerance. 0.24 ns: 18h 0.30 ns: 1Eh 0.35 ns: 23h Byte 45 Maximum Read DataHold Skew Factor (tQHS) Maximum DOS and DO window tolerance. 0.34 ns: 22h 0.40 ns: 28h 0.45 ns: 2Dh Byte 46 PLL Relock Time This refers to the lock time on the PLL IC used in the registered module. You can read this off the PLL device datasheet. Undefined: 00h 8us: 08h 10us: 0Ah 12us: 0Ch 15 us: 0Fh Byte 47 to Byte 61 These bytes describe the thermal characteristic of the memory chips and the logic chips used on the module. These are complex thermal data used in calculating the thermal throttling of the microprocessor speed under overstress conditions. In most systems, these data are ignored (or not available). Byte 47 Tcasemax Bits 7:4: Tcasemax Delta, the baseline maximum case temperature is 85 OC. Bits 3:0: DT4R4W Delta. Not available: 00h Byte 48 Psi T-A DRAM Thermal resistance of DRAM device package from top (case) to ambient (Psi T-A DRAM) Not available: 00h Byte 49 DTO/Tcase Mode Bits Bits 7:2:Case temperature rises from ambient due to IDDO/activate-pre- charge operation minus 2.8 OC offset temperature. Bit 1: Double Refresh mode bit. BitO High Temperature self-refresh rate support indication
Not available: 00h Byte 50 DT2N/DT2Q Case temperature rises from ambient due to IDD2N/precharge standby operation for UDIMM and due to IDD20/precharge quiet standby operation for RDIMM. Not available: 00h Byte 51 DT2P Case temperature rises from ambient due to IDD2N/precharge standby operation for UDIMM and due to IDD20/precharge quiet standby operation for RDIMM. Not available: 00h Byte 52 DT3N Case temperature rises from ambient due to IDD2P/precharge power-down operation Not available: 00h Byte 53 DT3Pfas Case temperature rises from ambient due to IDD3P Fast PDN Exit/active power-down with Fast PDN Exit operation Not available: 00h Byte 54 DT3Pslow Case temperature rises from ambient due to IDD3P Slow PDN Exit/active power-down with Slow PDN Exit operation Not available: 00h Byte 55 DT4R/Mode Bit Bits 7:1: Case temperature rises from ambient due to IDD4R/page open burst read operation. Bit 0: Mode bit to specify if DT4W is greater or less than DT4R Not available: 00h Byte 56 DT56 Bits 7:1: Case temperature rises from ambient due to IDD4R/page open burst read operation. Bit 0: Mode bit to specify if DT4W is greater or less than DT4R Not available: 00h Byte 57 DT7 Case temperature rise from ambient due to IDD7/bank interleave read mode operation Not available: 00h Byte 58 Psi T-A PLL Thermal resistance of PLL device package from top (case) to ambient (Psi T-A PLL) Not available: 00h Byte 59 Psi T-A Register Thermal resistance of register device package from top (case) to ambient (Psi T-A Register) Mot available: 00h Byte 60 DT PLL Active Case temperature rises from ambient due to PLLin active mode atVCC = 1.9 V the PLL loading is the DIMM loading Not available: 00h Byte 61 DT Register Active/Mode Bit Bits 7:1: Case temperature rises from ambient due to register in active mode at VCC = 1.9 V, the register loading is the RDIMM loading. Bit 0: mode bit to specify register data output toggle rate 50% or 100% Not available: 00h Byte 62 SPD Data Revision Code Revision 1.0: 10h Revision 1.1: 11 h Revision 1.2: 12h Byte 63 Checksum for Byte 0 to 62 Checksum is calculated and placed into this byte. All CST testers have automatic checksum calculation for this byte. All you have to do is to fill in and audit byte 0-62, the tester will automatically fill in byte 63 for you through the auto-checksum calculation. Byte 64-71 Manufacturer’s JEDEC ID Code This is a code obtained through manufacturer’s registration with JEDEC ( the standard setting committee). A small fee is charged by JEDEC to support and maintain this record. Please contact JEDEC office. Byte 64 is the most significant byte. If the ID is not larger then one byte (in hex), byte 65-71 should be filled with 00h. Byte 72 Module manufacturing Location Optional manufacturer assigned code. Byte 73-90 Module Part Number Optional manufacturer assigned part number. The manufacturer’s part number is written in ASCII format within these bytes. Byte 73 is the most significant digit in ASCII while byte 90 is the least significant digit in ASCII. Unused digits are coded as ASCII blanks (20h).
Byte 91-92 Module Revision Code Optional manufacturer assigned code. Byte 93-94 Module Manufacturing Date Byte 93 is the year: 2005 69h 2006 6Ah 2007 6Bh Byte 94 is the week of the year: wk1-wk15 01h – 0Fh wk16-wk31 10h – 1Fh wk32-wk47 20h – 2Fh wk48-wk52 30h – 34h Byte 95-98 Module Serial Number Optional manufacturer assigned number. On the serial number setting, JEDEC has no specification on the data format nor dictates the location of Most Significant Bit. Therefore, it’s up to individual manufacturer to assign his numbering system. All CST testers and EZ-SPD programmers have the option for user to select either byte 95 or byte 98 as the MSB (most significant bit). The testers assume the use of ASCII format; which is the most commonly used. The CST testers also have the function to automatically increment the serial number on each module tested. Byte 99-127 Manufacturer’s Specific Data Optional manufacturer assigned data. Byte 128-255 Open for Customer Use Optional for any information codes. Final Note: Everything in the above article and more are now implemented into the CST EZ-SPD DDR2 Programmer software. The new features are: 1. Pop up window of explanation on each Byte. 2. Clickable selection right from the illustration window. 3. Auto checksum on byte 62. 4. Text input on "manufacturer code" and "serial number". User define MSB/LSB format. 5. Auto JEDEC week and year coding from PC clock. 6. Software write protect function. .....just to name a few. For further information, please view : www.simmtester.com DDR2 SPD table reference from Micron Technology
Byte 21- 27
Byte 28 -40
Byte 41 - 63
Byte 64- 127
By: DocMemory Copyright © 2023 CST, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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