Standby card circuit and signal processing method and device based on standby card circuit

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a standby card circuit and a signal processing method and device based on the standby card circuit. According to the embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a signal receiving end, a signal filter and a signal absorption end, the signal receiving end is electrically connected with the signal filter, and the signal receiving end is used for receiving a data signal; the signal filter is used for isolating a direct current signal in the data signal and an alternating current signal in the data signal; the signal absorption end is electrically connected with the signal filter, and the signal absorption end is used for terminating an output signal of the signal filter so as to eliminate reflection of an alternating current signal in the data signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electronic circuit design, and in particular to a standby card circuit and a signal processing method and device based on the standby card circuit. Background Art

[0002] At present, most memory storage devices have adopted single inline memory modules (SIMM) or dual inline memory modules (DIMM) to replace single memory chips. With the continuous evolution and development of memory storage systems, most current memory storage systems are based on DIMM slots.

[0003] When there are 2 memory slots in the memory storage device, namely 2Slots per channel (including slot0 and slot1), if only one memory module is inserted in the DIMM slot, for example, only the memory module is inserted in the memory slot 0, the data reading speed of the memory module can reach the full speed state. However, the terminal open circuit formed by the metal inside the connector remaining in the other empty memory slot 1 will cause the forward total reflection of the signal of the memory module in the memory slot 0, thereby affecting the signal quality of slot 0. Summary of the invention

[0004] Multiple aspects of the present application provide a standby card circuit and a signal processing method and device based on the standby card circuit, which are used to reduce the impact of an empty memory slot on a data signal in a memory card.

[0005] An embodiment of the present application provides a standby card circuit, including a signal receiving end, a signal filter and a signal absorbing end, wherein: the signal receiving end is electrically connected to the signal filter, and the signal receiving end is used to receive a data signal; the signal filter is used to isolate the DC signal in the data signal and pass the AC signal in the data signal; the signal absorbing end is electrically connected to the signal filter, and the signal absorbing end is used to terminate the output signal of the signal filter to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the data signal.

[0006] An embodiment of the present application also provides a memory system, which includes at least a first memory slot and a second memory slot, wherein: when a memory stick is inserted into the first memory slot and the second memory slot is empty, a standby card is inserted into the second memory slot, and a standby card has multiple standby card circuits connected in parallel.

[0007] An embodiment of the present application also provides a signal processing method based on a standby card circuit, which is applied to a memory system, and includes: using the signal receiving end to receive a DQ data signal from a memory stick in the first memory slot; using the signal filter to isolate a DC signal in the DQ data signal and pass an AC signal in the DQ data signal; and terminating the output signal of the signal filter through the signal absorbing end to eliminate reflection of the AC signal in the DQ data signal.

[0008] An embodiment of the present application also provides a signal processing device based on a standby card circuit, comprising: a signal receiving module, used to use the signal receiving end to receive a DQ data signal from a memory stick in a first memory slot; a signal filtering module, used to use the signal filter to isolate the DC signal in the DQ data signal and pass the AC signal in the DQ data signal; a signal absorbing module, used to terminate the output signal of the signal filter through the signal absorbing end to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the DQ data signal.

[0009] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer device, which includes the memory system.

[0010] The embodiment of the present application designs a standby card circuit that can be used to absorb reflected signals. It can use a signal receiving end to receive a data signal, and use a signal filter to isolate the DC signal in the data signal, and pass the AC signal in the data signal. Finally, the signal absorbing end is used to terminate the output signal of the signal filter to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the data signal, so as to avoid the AC signal being reflected back and affecting the quality of other data signals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0012] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the reflection process of a data signal in a memory slot provided by the prior art;

[0013] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a standby card circuit provided for an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0014] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a memory system provided for an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 4 A flow chart of a signal processing method based on a standby card circuit provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a signal processing device based on a standby card circuit provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the specific embodiments of the present application and the corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0018] First, the terms involved in one or more embodiments of the present application are explained.

[0019] DDR = Double Data Rate, DDR SDRAM = Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory, which people usually call DDR. SDRAM is the abbreviation of Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory.

[0020] Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory, also known as DDR SDRAM, is an SDRAM with double data rate. Its data transmission speed is twice the system clock frequency. Due to the increased speed, its transmission performance is better than traditional SDRAM. DDR SDRAM can transmit data on both the rising and falling edges of the system clock.

[0021] 1DIMM Per Channel, abbreviated as 1DPC, means 1 DIMM slot per channel. It comes from the design of two memory controllers in CPUs such as Core and Ryzen. Each memory controller controls a memory channel and works independently, so now the memory starts at 1DPC.

[0022] 1SPC is the abbreviation of 1slot per channel, that is, each memory channel has one memory slot, and 2SPC has two memory slots for each channel.

[0023] The Smith chart is a calculation diagram that plots a family of circles of equivalent values ​​of normalized input impedance (or admittance) on a reflection plane. It is a chart used in electrical and electronic engineering, mainly for impedance matching of transmission lines. The chart consists of three circles and is used to solve transmission line and certain waveguide problems using graphical methods to avoid tedious calculations. The impedance of a transmission line changes with its length. To design a matching line, a lot of complicated calculation procedures are required. The characteristic of the Smith chart is that some calculation procedures are omitted.

[0024] DQ, the full name of which is Data Input / Ouput: bidirectional data bus. If cyclic redundancy check is enabled through the mode register, a cyclic redundancy check code is added at the end of the data pulse. It is a data signal in the memory stick.

[0025] Generally speaking, when a signal propagates forward along a transmission line, it will feel a transient impedance at every moment. This impedance may be the transmission line itself or other components. For the signal, it will not distinguish what it is, and the signal will only feel the change in impedance. If the impedance felt by the signal is constant, then the signal will propagate forward normally. As long as the impedance felt changes, no matter what causes it (it may be resistance, capacitance, inductance, vias, PCB corners, connectors encountered along the way), the signal will be reflected.

[0026] In a 1dpc or 2spc memory storage system, since this type of memory system usually has two memory slots, if only one memory slot is inserted with a memory stick and the other memory slot is vacant, the vacant memory slot will have an open terminal due to the residual connector metal inside, causing forward total reflection of the signal flowing into the memory slot.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the reflection process of a data signal in a memory slot provided by the prior art. Figure 1 In the example, a memory stick is inserted into slot0 and slot1 is idle. The signal x transmitted to slot1 will be reflected by slot1 to obtain a reflected signal x'. The reflected signal x' will enter slot0, causing crosstalk to the signal x in slot0, thereby affecting its signal quality.

[0028] In view of this, the embodiment of the present application designs a standby card circuit that can be used to absorb reflected signals. The signal receiving end can receive the data signal, and the DC signal in the data signal can be isolated through the signal filter and the AC signal in the data signal can be passed through. Finally, the signal absorbing end is used to terminate the output signal of the signal filter to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the data signal, so as to avoid the AC signal reflecting back and affecting the quality of other data signals.

[0029] The technical solutions provided by various embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of a standby card circuit provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the standby card circuit includes a signal receiving end 21, a signal filter 22 and a signal absorbing end 23, wherein:

[0031] The signal receiving end 21 is electrically connected to the signal filter 22, and the signal receiving end 21 is used to receive the data signal;

[0032] The signal filter 22 is used to isolate the DC signal in the data signal and pass the AC signal in the data signal;

[0033] The signal absorbing end 23 is electrically connected to the signal filter 22 , and the signal absorbing end 23 is used to terminate the output signal of the signal filter to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the data signal.

[0034] The signal receiving end 21 and the signal filter 22 as well as the signal absorbing end 23 and the signal filter 22 are electrically connected via wires.

[0035] In some exemplary embodiments, the signal receiving end includes a gold finger. Among them, the gold finger (English name is connecting finger) belongs to computer hardware. Generally speaking, all signals between the memory stick and the memory slot, the graphics card and the graphics card slot, etc. are transmitted through the gold finger. The gold finger is composed of many golden conductive contacts. Because its surface is gold-plated and the conductive contacts are arranged like fingers, it is called "gold finger". The gold finger is actually a layer of gold coated on the copper clad board through the electroplating process. Because gold has strong oxidation resistance, it can protect the internal circuit from corrosion, and it is also very conductive and will not cause signal loss. At the same time, because gold has very strong ductility, under appropriate pressure, the contact area between the contacts can be larger, thereby reducing the contact resistance and improving the signal transmission efficiency. All data flows and electron flows of the memory processing unit are exchanged with the PC system through the contact between the gold finger and the memory slot, which is the output and input port of the memory.

[0036] It should be understood that when the standby card circuit is applied to a memory system, the signal receiving end may be a gold finger; when the standby card circuit is applied to other circuit scenarios that require elimination of signal reflection, the signal receiving end may also be other conductive contacts that can receive signals.

[0037] In some exemplary embodiments, the signal filter includes an AC coupling capacitor. The main function of the AC coupling capacitor is to filter out the DC signal in the data signal and retain and pass the high-frequency AC signal in the data signal. On the one hand, since the AC coupling capacitor isolates the DC signal in the data signal, the DC component in the data signal does not pass through the circuit, thereby avoiding the impact on the DC level of the data signal. On the other hand, the AC coupling capacitor allows the high-frequency AC signal in the data signal to pass through, and these signals will be absorbed at the signal absorption end, so that this part of the signal can be avoided from being reflected back, thereby avoiding the crosstalk caused by this part of the signal reflected back to the data signal.

[0038] In some exemplary embodiments, the signal absorbing end includes a termination resistor. The termination resistor is used to achieve impedance matching, and is used to ensure that the current and voltage between the signal receiving end 21 and the signal absorbing end 23 are stable, thereby eliminating reflections. For waveform signals, impedance matching will generate nonlinear impedance during the transmission and use of waveform signals. For example, if there are nonlinear components such as capacitors or inductors in the transmission line, impedance will be generated for high-frequency signals, which will affect the characteristics of the signal, and the frequency or energy will change. The impedance of the circuit can be controlled by adding a resistor to the circuit so that it does not affect the signal. This resistor is the termination resistor.

[0039] Impedance matching is mainly used on transmission lines to achieve the purpose of high-frequency AC signals being transmitted to the load point without any signal reflection. Generally speaking, there are two types of impedance matching, one is to change the impedance, and the other is to adjust the wavelength of the transmission line. Optionally, to match a set of lines, you can first normalize the impedance value of the load point by dividing it by the characteristic impedance value of the transmission line, and then draw the value on the Smith chart. The Smith chart can quickly find the point where the load impedance matches the characteristic impedance of the transmission line, thereby achieving maximum power transmission or minimum reflection coefficient. To change the impedance, specifically, you can connect a capacitor or inductor in series with the load to increase or decrease the impedance value of the load, and the points on the Smith chart will move along the circle representing the real resistance. If the capacitor or inductor is grounded, first, the point on the Smith chart will rotate 180 degrees from the center of the chart, then move along the resistance circle, and then rotate 180 degrees along the center. Repeat the above method until the resistance value becomes 1, and then you can directly change the impedance value to 0 to complete the matching. To adjust the transmission line, specifically, you can lengthen the transmission line between the load point and the source point, that is, lengthen Figure 2The transmission line between the output end (source point) of the AC coupling capacitor and the output end (load point) of the termination resistor shown in the figure, the dots on the Smith chart will move counterclockwise along the center of the chart until they reach the circle with a resistance value of 1, and then capacitors or inductors can be added to adjust the impedance to 0 to complete the matching. Impedance matching results in high transmission power. For a power supply, when its internal resistance is equal to the load, the output power is the largest. At this time, the impedance is matched, and if it is high frequency, there is no reflected wave.

[0040] The impedance matching in the embodiment of the present application adopts a terminal termination matching method. Specifically, a resistor, namely Figure 2 The resistor 23 in the circuit is used to achieve terminal matching, where the resistor 23 is used to release current to the ground to eliminate signal reflection in the circuit. For example, the output end of the AC coupling capacitor can be connected to an impedance value that is the same as the transmission line ( Figure 2 The transmission line between 21 and 23 in the middle is connected with a termination resistor with the same impedance value to absorb the high-frequency AC signal output by the AC coupling capacitor, thereby avoiding the generation of reflected signals in the circuit.

[0041] In some exemplary embodiments, in order to eliminate reflection, the impedance value of the terminating resistor is determined based on the impedance value of the transmission line in the standby card circuit. If the impedance value of the terminating resistor is higher or lower than the impedance value of the transmission line of the standby card circuit, there will still be reflection in the circuit.

[0042] It should be noted that the resistance value of the termination resistor and the capacitance value of the AC coupling capacitor in the embodiment of the present application can be adjusted according to the actual scenario to obtain a more optimized eye diagram improvement. The optimization result of the eye diagram can be obtained through simulation, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the value thereof. As an example, the ideal termination resistor is 50 ohm and the capacitance value of the AC coupling capacitor is 100 nf.

[0043] The embodiment of the present application designs a standby card circuit that can be used to absorb reflected signals. It can use the signal receiving end to receive the data signal, and use the signal filter to isolate the DC signal in the data signal and the AC signal in the DQ data signal. Finally, the signal absorbing end is used to terminate the output signal of the signal filter to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the DQ data signal, so as to avoid the AC signal being reflected back and affecting the quality of other data signals.

[0044] Figure 3 The structure diagram of a memory system provided by the exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the memory system may include at least a first memory slot 31 and a second memory slot 32, wherein:

[0045] When the memory stick 30 is inserted into the first memory slot 31 and the second memory slot 32 is empty, a standby card is inserted into the second memory slot 32 . A standby card includes a plurality of standby card circuits connected in parallel.

[0046] Among them, multiple standby card circuits can be connected in parallel through the wiring on the standby card mainboard.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments, the memory system further includes a central processing unit, and the distance between the first memory slot and the central processing unit is greater than the distance between the second memory slot and the central processing unit.

[0048] Taking the memory system as a DDR system as an example, the first memory slot 31 and the second memory slot 32 are a DDR path. When the memory system is running, the memory bar in the first memory slot 31 will have a DDR DQ data signal transmitted to the second memory slot 32. Since the second memory slot 32 is empty, the residual metal therein will cause the terminal to be open, thereby causing the forward total reflection of the DQ data signal transmitted to the second memory slot 32. In view of this, in the embodiment of the present application, when a memory bar is inserted in the first memory slot and the second memory slot is empty, a standby card composed of multiple standby card circuits in parallel is inserted into the second memory slot, and the standby card supports dynamic pluggability. Since each standby card circuit is composed of a signal receiving end 3201, a signal filter 3202 and a signal absorbing end 3203, the standby card composed of multiple standby card circuits in parallel can receive the DQ data signal through the signal receiving end 3201, and isolate the DC signal in the DQ data signal and the AC signal in the data signal through the signal filter 3202, and finally absorb the AC signal in the DQ data signal through the signal absorbing end 3203 to prevent the AC signal from reflecting back and affecting the quality of the DQ data signal of the memory stick in the first memory slot.

[0049] In practical applications, the signal receiving end 3201 may be formed by a gold finger, the signal filter 3202 may be formed by an AC coupling capacitor, and the signal absorbing end 3203 may be formed by a termination resistor. The gold finger and the AC coupling capacitor may be electrically connected via the wiring on the standby card, and the AC coupling capacitor and the termination resistor may also be electrically connected via the wiring on the standby card.

[0050] Among them, the structure of the standby card circuit and the signal flow and processing process can be found in detail. Figure 2 The standby card circuit of the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail.

[0051] Figure 4 A flowchart of a signal processing method based on a standby card circuit is provided for an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, the method may include:

[0053] Step 410: Receive a DQ data signal from a memory stick in a first memory slot using a signal receiving end.

[0054] Step 420 , using a signal filter to isolate the DC signal in the DQ data signal and pass the AC signal in the DQ data signal.

[0055] Step 430 , terminating the output signal of the signal filter through the signal absorption terminal to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the DQ data signal.

[0056] The signal processing process of DQ data signal in standby card circuit and memory system can be referred to in detail. Figure 2-Figure 3 The standby card circuit and memory system of the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail.

[0057] The signal processing method based on the standby card circuit provided in the embodiment of the present application can receive the DQ data signal from the memory stick in the first memory slot through the signal receiving end, and isolate the DC signal in the DQ data signal and the AC signal in the DQ data signal through the signal filter, and finally terminate the output signal of the signal filter through the signal absorbing end, thereby eliminating the reflection of the AC signal in the DQ data signal and avoiding the AC signal from being reflected back and affecting the quality of the DQ data signal of the memory stick in the first memory slot.

[0058] It should be noted that the execution subject of each step of the method provided in the above embodiment can be the same device, or the method can be executed by different devices. For example, the execution subject of steps 410 to 430 can be device A; for another example, the execution subject of steps 410 to 420 can be device A, and the execution subject of step 430 can be device B; and so on.

[0059] In addition, in some of the processes described in the above embodiments and the accompanying drawings, multiple operations that appear in a specific order are included, but it should be clearly understood that these operations may not be executed in the order in which they appear in this article or executed in parallel, and the sequence numbers of the operations, such as 410, 420, etc., are only used to distinguish between different operations, and the sequence numbers themselves do not represent any execution order. In addition, these processes may include more or fewer operations, and these operations may be executed in sequence or in parallel. It should be noted that the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. in this article are used to distinguish different messages, devices, modules, etc., do not represent the order of precedence, and do not limit the "first" and "second" to be different types.

[0060] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a signal processing device 50 based on a standby card circuit provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. Figure 5As shown, the device includes: a signal receiving module 51, a signal filtering module 52 and a signal absorbing module 53, wherein:

[0061] A signal receiving module 51, configured to receive a DQ data signal from a memory stick in the first memory slot by using the signal receiving end;

[0062] A signal filtering module 52, configured to use the signal filter to isolate a DC signal in the DQ data signal and pass an AC signal in the DQ data signal;

[0063] The signal absorption module 53 is used to terminate the output signal of the signal filter through the signal absorption end to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the DQ data signal.

[0064] The structure of the signal processing device based on the standby card circuit and the signal flow and processing process can be specifically referred to Figure 2-Figure 3 The structure of the standby card circuit of the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail.

[0065] The exemplary embodiment of the present application also provides a computer device, which includes Figure 3 The memory system, the structure of the electronic tag, and the signal transfer and processing process of the embodiment shown in the figure can be specifically referred to in Figure 3 The structure of the memory system of the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail.

[0066] It should be noted that the standby card circuit provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to any scenario where signal reflection exists, and is not limited to the memory storage system scenario including 1dpc or 2spc.

[0067] It should also be noted that the terms "include", "comprises" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, commodity or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, commodity or device. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, commodity or device including the elements.

[0068] The above is only an embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various changes and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A standby card circuit, characterized in that: It includes a signal receiving end, a signal filter and a signal absorbing end, wherein: The signal receiving end is electrically connected to the signal filter, and the signal receiving end is used to receive a data signal; The signal filter is used to isolate the DC signal in the data signal and pass the AC signal in the data signal; The signal absorbing end is electrically connected to the signal filter, and the signal absorbing end is used to terminate the output signal of the signal filter to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the data signal.

2. The circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that The signal receiving end includes a gold finger.

3. The circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that The signal filter includes an AC coupling capacitor.

4. The circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that The signal absorbing end includes a terminating resistor.

5. The circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that The impedance value of the terminating resistor is determined based on the impedance value of the transmission line between the signal receiving end and the signal absorbing end.

6. A memory system, characterized in that: The system comprises at least a first memory slot and a second memory slot, wherein: When a memory stick is inserted into the first memory slot and the second memory slot is empty, a standby card is inserted into the second memory slot, wherein a standby card comprises a plurality of standby card circuits as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 connected in parallel.

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that The system further includes a central processing unit, and the distance between the first memory slot and the central processing unit is greater than the distance between the second memory slot and the central processing unit.

8. A signal processing method based on a standby card circuit, characterized in that: The method is applied to the memory system according to any one of claims 6 to 7, and the method comprises: Receive a DQ data signal from a memory stick in the first memory slot using the signal receiving end; Using the signal filter to isolate a DC signal in the DQ data signal and pass an AC signal in the DQ data signal; The output signal of the signal filter is terminated through the signal absorbing end to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the DQ data signal.

9. A signal processing device based on a standby card circuit, characterized in that: The device is applied to the memory system according to any one of claims 6 to 7, comprising: A signal receiving module, used for receiving a DQ data signal from a memory stick in a first memory slot by using the signal receiving end; A signal filtering module, configured to isolate a DC signal in the DQ data signal and pass an AC signal in the DQ data signal by using the signal filter; The signal absorption module is used to terminate the output signal of the signal filter through the signal absorption end to eliminate the reflection of the AC signal in the DQ data signal.

10. A computer device, characterized in that: The computer device comprises the memory system according to any one of claims 6 to 7.

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