Memory system having self-adjusting strobe timing

Claim 1

An adaptive memory system that provides self adjusting strobe pulse timing comprising: a memory having data inputs and outputs, being adapted to accommodate externally generated strobe pulses; interface gating connected to said memory by the data inputs and outputs of said memory and connected to data lines external to said memory system; an exerciser connected to said interface gating and being capable, upon actuation, of causing said interface gating to switch the data inputs and outputs of said memory from connection to the data lines external to said memory system to connection to said exerciser and thereupon performing a series of failure tests on said memory; a strobe generator connected to said memory and said exerciser for generating strobe pulses timed as required by said memory in response to said strobe generator''s analysis of information received from said exerciser which is based on the failure tests said exerciser performed, and for actuating said exerciser, upon command, to initiate and perform the series of failure tests on said memory, said strobe generator comprising: a failure analysis means for receiving failure test information from said exerciser and determining the optimum strobe pulse timing based on the received information; a delay line having a plurality of taps along its length, each of the taps being connected through a switching means to a common point, the connection of each tap causing a different strobe pulse timing; and logic circuit means responsive to the performance of each test in the series of failure tests performed by said exerciser for switching the connection to said common point from one tap to another tap along said delay line and responsive to the connection of the last tap of the plurality of taps to said common point for switching the connection to the tap causing the optimum strobe pulse timing as determined by said failure analysis means.