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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