Importance

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Abstract

A memory module configured such that it can be operated as a first memory module such as a (Single In-line Memory Module) SIMM or as a second memory module such as a (Dual In-linc Memory Module) DIMM module without requiring external switching circuitry. This is accomplished by providing a memory module card with a circuit thereon that is designed to emulate a DIMM module when plugged into a DIMM socket as found in the latest computer architectures and to emulate a SIMM module when plugged into a SIMM socket as found in older computer architectures. The memory module is provided with memory devices (DRAMS or SDRAMS) and interconnecting bypass devices (CMOS transistor pairs) mounted thereon. The bypass devices and are also connected to terminal pads adjacent the first and second edges of the module, such that upon insertion of a first edge into a mating DIMM socket, the bypass devices are activated to interconnect the memory devices as, for example, a 1 bank 168 pin DIMM and upon insertion of the second edge into a SIMM socket, the memory devices are interconnected as, for example, a 2 bank 72 pin SIMM. The present invention decreases the need for manufacturing and maintaining separate SIMM and DIMM inventories and provides the capability of extending and expanding existing computer systems if the memory modules or cards originally designed for the computer are deleted from future inventories or become prohibitively expensive or difficult to locate.

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First Claim