Universal computing device based on VPX architecture

Abstract

The utility model discloses a universal computing device based on a VPX framework. The device comprises a first mainboard module, a second mainboard module, an alternating current power supply module, a direct current power supply module, a backboard and an interface board, wherein alternating current voltage and direct current voltage are connected with the backboard through cables, the alternating current power supply module and the direct current power supply module; the first mainboard module and the second mainboard module are connected with the backboard through cables. The interface board is connected with the backboard through a cable. And the first mainboard module and the second mainboard module are interconnected through a network card. According to the universal computing device, the multi-mainboard and multi-power-supply-module universal pluggable architecture design is achieved through the VPX architecture, the number of mainboard modules can be increased and decreased in real time according to user requirements, each mainboard can be independently used as a computer, and therefore the multi-mainboard and multi-power-supply power supply design of the computer is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of general-purpose computing device technology, and in particular to a general-purpose computing device based on the VPX architecture. Background Technology

[0002] The motherboard is one of the most important components of a computer, housing important devices such as the processor and undertaking crucial functions such as power supply, signal processing, and computation. With the development of electronic technology, computer design has become increasingly complex. To meet specific performance requirements, some computers have multiple motherboards, each controlling an independent operating system. However, these computers typically use only one power supply mode, making them unable to quickly adapt to rapidly changing external power environments. Furthermore, while dual-motherboard computer designs exist, they cannot quickly add or remove motherboards to accommodate real-time changes in performance requirements. Designing a computer with multiple power supply modes that allow for easy adjustment of the number of motherboards has remained a significant challenge. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention proposes a general-purpose computing device based on the VPX architecture to solve the problem that existing general-purpose computing devices cannot increase or decrease the number of motherboards in real time and are compatible with complex environments with multiple power supply voltages.

[0004] This invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] Firstly, this specification provides a general-purpose computing device based on a VPX architecture, including a first motherboard module 1, a second motherboard module 2, an AC power module 3, a DC power module 4, a backplane 5, and an interface board 6. Both the first motherboard module 1 and the second motherboard module 2 are equipped with VPX connectors. The backplane 5 is equipped with multiple VPX sockets, and each VPX connector is connected to a corresponding VPX socket. The AC power module 3, the DC power module 4, and the interface board 6 are connected to the backplane 5 via cables. The first motherboard module 1 and the second motherboard module 2 communicate via a network card. The AC power module 3 is electrically connected to the backplane 5, wherein:

[0006] The first motherboard module 1 is used to control the first computer system;

[0007] The second motherboard module 2 is used to control the second computer system;

[0008] The AC power module 3 is used to connect to the 220V AC mains power transmitted by the backplane 5, filter the 220V AC mains power and perform voltage level conversion to obtain AC power of various different voltages, and transmit the AC power of various different voltages to the backplane 5.

[0009] The DC power module 4 is used to connect to 28V DC power, filter and perform voltage level conversion on the 28V DC power to obtain DC power of various different voltages, and transmit the DC power of various different voltages to the backplane 5.

[0010] The backplane 5 is used to transmit the 220V AC mains power to the AC power module 3, receive AC power of various different voltages and DC power of various different voltages, and transmit the AC power of various different voltages and DC power of various different voltages to the first main board module 1 and the second main board module 2.

[0011] The interface board 6 is used to debug the first motherboard module 1, the second motherboard module 2, the AC power module 3, the DC power module 4 and the backplane 5.

[0012] Optionally, a first processor, a first circuit board, a first RAM, and a first hard disk are soldered onto the first motherboard module 1, and the first processor, the first circuit board, the first RAM, and the first hard disk are electrically connected to the backplane 5.

[0013] Optionally, a second processor, a second circuit board, a second RAM, and a second hard disk are soldered onto the second motherboard module 2, and the second processor, the second circuit board, the second RAM, and the second hard disk are electrically connected to the backplane 5.

[0014] Optionally, both the first motherboard module 1 and the second motherboard module 2 use X4 channel PCIe communication, and the PCIe interface on the first motherboard module 1 and the PCIe interface on the second motherboard module 2 are respectively connected to the PCIe interface on the network card.

[0015] Optionally, the various DC voltages include: 0.8V DC, 1.1V DC, 1.2V DC, 1.8V DC, 2.5V DC, 3.3V DC, 5V DC, and 12V DC.

[0016] Optionally, it also includes multiple motherboard modules to be connected, each of which is equipped with a VPX connector, wherein:

[0017] The backplane 5 is used to receive external input motherboard addition commands, and according to the motherboard addition commands, to connect the connection line between the VPX plug on the motherboard module to be connected and the corresponding VPX socket, and to connect the connection line between the PCIE interface on the motherboard module to be connected and the PCIE interface on the corresponding network card.

[0018] Optionally, the backplane 5 is also used to receive an externally input motherboard reduction command, and according to the motherboard reduction command, disconnect the connection line between the VPX plug on the motherboard module to be connected and the corresponding VPX socket, and disconnect the connection line between the PCIE interface on the motherboard module to be connected and the PCIE interface on the corresponding network card.

[0019] Optionally, the back panel 5 transmits the 220V AC mains power to the AC power module 3 via a CY43 connector.

[0020] Optionally, the backplane 5 is provided with a multi-MOS voltage comparator circuit, wherein:

[0021] The multi-MOS voltage comparison circuit is used to supply power to the first motherboard module 1 and the second motherboard module 2 in AC power supply mode when both DC and AC power are simultaneously input to the backplane 5.

[0022] Optionally, the backplane 5 is a 4-layer circuit board, and both the first motherboard module 1 and the second motherboard module 2 are 16-layer circuit boards.

[0023] The general-purpose computing device provided in this invention implements a universal pluggable architecture design with multiple motherboards and multiple power supply modules through the VPX architecture. Motherboard modules can be added or removed in real time according to user needs. Each motherboard can be used independently as a computer, realizing a computer design with multiple motherboards and multiple power supplies. Users can customize and change the computer at any time by simply adding or removing universal motherboard modules and power supply modules. This solves the problem that existing general-purpose computing devices cannot increase or decrease the number of motherboards in real time and are compatible with complex environments with multiple voltage power supplies. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a general-purpose computing device based on the VPX architecture in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the real-time communication function between the two motherboards in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of rapidly increasing or decreasing the number of motherboards in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the signal connection relationships at various levels when the computer is in a default dual-motherboard state in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, claims, and drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this specification clearer, the technical solutions of this specification will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this specification, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this specification, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this specification.

[0030] As described herein, the term “comprising” and its various variations can be understood as open-ended terms that mean “including but not limited to”, and the term “one embodiment” can be understood as “at least one embodiment”.

[0031] The inventors discovered that existing general-purpose computing devices based on the VPX architecture cannot change the number of motherboards and power supply mode in real time, making it difficult to meet the requirements of real-time performance changes. In view of this, in this embodiment of the invention, a general-purpose pluggable architecture design with multiple motherboards and multiple power supply modules is realized through the VPX architecture. Motherboard modules can be added or removed in real time according to user needs, and each motherboard can be used independently as a computer, so as to realize the design of multiple motherboards and multiple power supply for computers.

[0032] Figure 1 The schematic diagram illustrates the structure of a general-purpose computing device based on the VPX architecture according to one embodiment of this application, including: a first motherboard module 1, a second motherboard module 2, an AC power supply module 3, a DC power supply module 4, a backplane 5, and an interface board 6.

[0033] In practice, AC voltage and DC voltage are connected to the backplane 5 via cables to AC power module 3 and DC power module 4, respectively, for instantaneous AC and DC voltage input and voltage conversion for step-by-step power supply; the first motherboard module 1 and the second motherboard module 2 are connected to the backplane 5 via cables for computer signal transmission and control; the interface board 6 is connected to the backplane 5 via cables for use during computer debugging; the first motherboard module 1 and the second motherboard module 2 are interconnected via a network card to realize real-time signal transmission between the two motherboards.

[0034] Specifically, the first motherboard module 1 is a general-purpose motherboard that controls the first computer system and uses a VPX architecture to directly plug into and connect to the backplane 5.

[0035] Specifically, the second motherboard module 2 is a general-purpose motherboard with the same design as the first motherboard module 1. It controls the second computer system and uses a VPX architecture to directly plug and unplug into the backplane 5.

[0036] Specifically, the AC power module 3 is a general-purpose power module used to connect to 220V AC mains power to obtain voltage, perform filtering, and then connect multiple voltages to the backplane after voltage level conversion.

[0037] Specifically, the DC power module 4 is a general-purpose power module used to connect to a 28V DC power supply to obtain voltage and perform filtering processing. After voltage level conversion, it connects multiple voltages to the backplane.

[0038] Specifically, the backplane 5 has multiple outputs, and the signals are defined according to the VITA46 standard. Various signals, such as voltage and power-on sequence signals, are connected to the motherboard module and power module through a VPX connector. Multiple power supply lines are pre-installed inside the backplane; when changing the number of motherboard modules, only the corresponding VPX sockets need to be added or removed on the backplane and connected to the VPX connectors on the motherboard modules.

[0039] Specifically, the interface board 6 is a debugging circuit board responsible for debugging computer usage.

[0040] Furthermore, a first processor, a first chipset, a first RAM, and a first hard disk are soldered onto the first motherboard module 1, and the first processor, the first chipset, the first RAM, and the first hard disk are electrically connected to the backplane 5.

[0041] Furthermore, the first motherboard module 1 and the second motherboard module 2 are completely identical in design, both being pluggable universal motherboard modules that can be changed in quantity at any time.

[0042] In practice, the motherboard module receives DC12V power from the power board module and uses it for system power supply through voltage conversion on the motherboard. DC5V and DC3.3V mainly power the peripheral parts of the motherboard, DC3.3V and DC1.8V mainly power the processor chip circuit and peripheral circuits, DC2.5V, DC1.2V and DC1.1V mainly power the memory part of the processor chip and DDR4 and LPDDR4 chips, and DC0.8V mainly power the processor chip core.

[0043] In one implementation, such as Figure 2 As shown, the motherboard module's PCIe communication uses an X4 channel, consisting of four pairs of high-speed differential signals forming a transmission path. It supports the PCIe 2.0 protocol and PCIe point-to-point transmission.

[0044] Furthermore, the PCIe interface reserved on the first motherboard module 1 is connected to the PCIe interface of the network card chip, and is connected to the second motherboard module 2 through the corresponding network port transformer to realize signal communication between the two motherboards.

[0045] Furthermore, each motherboard module has a reserved PCIe interface. When more motherboard modules are added, simply connect the corresponding PCIe interface to the corresponding network card chip to enable the communication function of the new motherboard.

[0046] The above embodiments construct a general-purpose computing device based on the VPX architecture. The VPX architecture realizes a general-purpose pluggable architecture design with multiple motherboards and multiple power supply modules. Motherboard modules can be added or removed in real time according to user needs. Each motherboard can be used independently as a computer, realizing a computer with multiple motherboards and multiple power supply designs. Moreover, users can customize and change the computer at any time by simply adding or removing general-purpose motherboard modules and power supply modules.

[0047] Example 2

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a method for controlling a general-purpose computing device based on a VPX architecture. The method is executed by a processor and includes the following steps:

[0049] Step 1: Shut down the computer, open the computer case and remove the computer back panel 5. Add or remove the corresponding VPX sockets according to the number of motherboards added or removed.

[0050] The backplate 5 is a 4-layer circuit board with four sets of VPX socket lines pre-installed on it. The socket installation can be completed simply by soldering the VPX sockets to the corresponding silkscreen positions on the circuit board.

[0051] Step 2: Connect the VPX connector of the motherboard module to be added to the VPX socket on the back panel 5 to add the motherboard module.

[0052] The motherboard module is a 16-layer circuit board. The motherboard module is soldered with a processor, a die, RAM and a hard disk. The processor, die, RAM and hard disk are electrically connected to the backplane 5. The hard disk has a pre-stored operating system.

[0053] Step 3: Turn on the power and complete the hardware debugging of the new motherboard. The computer will then become a three-motherboard, dual-power computer.

[0054] Taking AC power supply as an example, turning the power switch up to enable AC power supply mode will connect the AC voltage to the back panel via the AC power interface and cable.

[0055] Furthermore, in step 3, such as Figure 4As shown, the backplane 5 transmits 220V AC voltage to the AC power module through the CY43 connector. The AC-DC power module designed on the AC power module 3 converts the 220V AC voltage to 12V DC voltage.

[0056] Furthermore, in step 3, the 12V DC voltage is transmitted back to the backplane 5 via the CY43 series connector.

[0057] Furthermore, in step 3, the backplane 5 connects the 12V DC voltage to the motherboard guide seat through the VPX guide sleeve, and transmits the voltage to each motherboard module.

[0058] Furthermore, the 12V DC voltage is converted by various DC-DC chip circuits on the motherboard to form VCC-Power Good voltage signals at various levels.

[0059] Furthermore, the power-on timing of each VCC-PowerGood voltage signal is allocated by the pre-designed 74LVC1G08 AND gate circuit on the motherboard module, so that the entire motherboard can be powered step by step.

[0060] Furthermore, the aforementioned AC power module and DC power module are controlled by the same lever switch, which is a single-pole three-throw switch, controlling the computer's AC power-on, power-off, and DC power-on states respectively.

[0061] Furthermore, the backplane 5 is designed with a multi-MOS voltage comparator circuit. When both DC and AC power supplies are input simultaneously, the computer defaults to AC power supply mode and supports switching to DC power supply mode at any time.

[0062] The above embodiments provide a method for controlling a general-purpose computing device based on the VPX architecture. It can not only control the power on and off of the two motherboards in the computer at the same time, but also add or remove the number of motherboards in the computer at any time. The motherboards are all general-purpose motherboard modules that can be installed in the computer at any time through a plug-in connection. The addition or removal of motherboards can be controlled by a single switch button. In addition, the computer is equipped with two power supply modules that can be compatible with AC or DC power supply, meeting the power supply environment of most markets.

[0063] In summary, in this embodiment of the invention, the general-purpose computing device based on the VPX architecture has the functions of quickly switching power supplies and quickly changing the number of motherboards. When changing the AC or DC power supply, after issuing the power on / off signal according to the corresponding AC or DC power switch, the electrical signal is uniformly transmitted to the backplane. The backplane supplies power to the motherboard module through the VPX connector. Then, the power supply logic on the motherboard module supplies power to each area in stages. This realizes a general-purpose computer design with dual motherboards and dual power supplies, and solves the problem that existing general-purpose computing devices cannot increase or decrease the number of motherboards in real time and are compatible with complex environments with multiple voltage power supplies.

[0064] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the invention.

[0065] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this invention and their equivalents, this invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A general-purpose computing device based on the VPX architecture, characterized in that, The system includes a first motherboard module (1), a second motherboard module (2), an AC power module (3), a DC power module (4), a backplane (5), and an interface board (6). Both the first motherboard module (1) and the second motherboard module (2) are equipped with VPX plugs. The backplane (5) is equipped with multiple VPX sockets, with each VPX plug connected to its corresponding VPX socket. The AC power module (3), the DC power module (4), and the interface board (6) are connected to the backplane (5) via cables. The first motherboard module (1) and the second motherboard module (2) communicate via a network card. The AC power module (3) is electrically connected to the backplane (5). The first motherboard module (1) is used to control the first computer system; The second motherboard module (2) is used to control the second computer system; The AC power module (3) is used to connect to the 220V AC mains power transmitted by the backplane (5), filter the 220V AC mains power and perform voltage level conversion to obtain AC power of various different voltages, and transmit the AC power of various different voltages to the backplane (5). The DC power module (4) is used to connect to 28V DC power, filter and perform voltage level conversion on the 28V DC power to obtain DC power of various different voltages, and transmit the DC power of various different voltages to the backplane (5). The back panel (5) is used to transmit the 220V AC mains power to the AC power module (3), receive AC power of various different voltages and DC power of various different voltages, and transmit the AC power of various different voltages and DC power of various different voltages to the first main board module (1) and the second main board module (2). The interface board (6) is used to debug the first motherboard module (1), the second motherboard module (2), the AC power module (3), the DC power module (4) and the backplane (5).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first motherboard module (1) is soldered with a first processor, a first chip, a first running memory and a first hard disk, and the first processor, the first chip, the first running memory and the first hard disk are electrically connected to the backplane (5).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second motherboard module (2) is soldered with a second processor, a second chip, a second running memory, and a second hard disk. The second processor, the second chip, the second running memory, and the second hard disk are electrically connected to the backplate (5).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first motherboard module (1) and the second motherboard module (2) use X4 channel PCIE communication. The PCIE interface on the first motherboard module (1) and the PCIE interface on the second motherboard module (2) are respectively connected to the PCIE interface on the network card.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The various DC voltages include: 0.8V DC, 1.1V DC, 1.2V DC, 1.8V DC, 2.5V DC, 3.3V DC, 5V DC, and 12V DC.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes multiple motherboard modules to be connected, each of which is equipped with a VPX connector, wherein: The backplane (5) is used to receive external input motherboard addition commands, and according to the motherboard addition commands, connect the connection line between the VPX plug on the motherboard module to be connected and the corresponding VPX socket, and connect the connection line between the PCIE interface on the motherboard module to be connected and the PCIE interface on the corresponding network card.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The backplane (5) is also used to receive external input motherboard reduction instructions, and according to the motherboard reduction instructions, disconnect the connection line between the VPX plug on the motherboard module to be connected and the corresponding VPX socket, and disconnect the connection line between the PCIE interface on the motherboard module to be connected and the PCIE interface on the corresponding network card.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The back panel (5) transmits the 220V AC mains power to the AC power module (3) through a CY43 connector.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The backplate (5) is provided with a multi-MOS voltage comparator circuit, wherein: The multi-MOS voltage comparison circuit is used to supply power to the first motherboard module (1) and the second motherboard module (2) in AC power supply mode when DC and AC power are simultaneously input to the backplane (5).

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The backplate (5) is a 4-layer circuit board, and the first motherboard module (1) and the second motherboard module (2) are both 16-layer circuit boards.

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