MSATA multifunctional adapter card
By designing an mSATA multi-functional adapter card that supports multiple protocols, the problem of single interface output and incompatible power supply design of existing adapter cards has been solved. This achieves multi-interface adaptation and stable power supply, improving applicability and reliability in industrial environments.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANTONG XINXIN ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Most existing mSATA adapter cards have a single interface output, which leads to frequent replacements in industrial scenarios, increasing costs and reducing reliability. Furthermore, the power supply design lacks versatility, limiting its applicability.
Design an mSATA multi-functional adapter card, including a host control conversion circuit, an interface switching circuit, a status indicator circuit, and a power management circuit. It supports multi-protocol compatibility, has a universal power supply design, and achieves multi-interface adaptation through automatic identification and switching. It also has overcurrent protection and heat dissipation functions.
It achieves multi-interface compatibility, reduces user operation complexity, improves adaptability and reliability in industrial environments, significantly reduces the cost of replacing adapter cards, and improves fault diagnosis efficiency through LED status indicators.
Smart Images
Figure CN224263624U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of industrial storage technology, and in particular to an mSATA multi-functional adapter card. Background Technology
[0002] Industrial environments place extremely high demands on the stability, shock resistance, wide temperature adaptability, and long-term reliability of storage devices. mSATA SSDs, with their small size and low power consumption, have become an ideal choice for embedded systems and are widely used in industrial control, medical equipment, and other fields with high requirements for reliability and environmental adaptability.
[0003] However, due to the diverse interfaces of industrial equipment motherboards, such as SATA, PCIe, and MiniPCIe, mSATA SSDs require adapter cards in practical applications to achieve compatible connections with different devices. Therefore, the role of mSATA adapter cards is crucial.
[0004] Most existing mSATA adapter cards only support a single interface output. In industrial scenarios, it is necessary to frequently replace different adapter cards, which leads to increased costs and reduced reliability.
[0005] In addition, industrial equipment typically uses specific power supply standards, such as industrial PLCs, while existing adapter cards often lack universality in power supply design, further limiting their applicability. Utility Model Content
[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the existing defects and provide an mSATA multi-functional adapter card that can support multiple protocol compatibility, has a universal power supply design, and has a safe and reliable design, which can effectively solve the problems in the background art.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: an mSATA multi-function adapter card, comprising:
[0008] The main control conversion circuit is used to receive the SATA data signal from the mSATA SSD and convert the data signal into an adapted output signal according to the target interface type.
[0009] An interface switching circuit, connected to the main control conversion circuit, is used to select the target interface output path according to user instructions or automatic detection, and transmit the output signal of the main control conversion circuit to the corresponding interface;
[0010] A status indicator circuit, connected to the main control conversion circuit, is used to monitor the working status of the mSATA SSD and display status information via LEDs.
[0011] The power management circuit is connected to the main control conversion circuit and the interface switching circuit respectively, and is used to provide a stable operating voltage for the mSATA SSD, the main control conversion circuit, the interface switching circuit and the status indicator circuit;
[0012] The target interface types include SATA interface, PCIe interface and Mini PCIe interface.
[0013] Preferably, the main control conversion circuit includes:
[0014] A protocol conversion chip is used to convert SATA data signals from the mSATA SSD into a signal format compatible with the target interface type;
[0015] The signal buffer sub-circuit, connected to the protocol conversion chip, is used to shape and enhance the converted signal.
[0016] Preferably, the interface switching circuit includes:
[0017] A multiplexer, connected to the main control conversion circuit, is used to select the target interface type according to user instructions;
[0018] An interface output sub-circuit, connected to the multiplexer, is used to transmit the output signal of the main control conversion circuit to the corresponding physical interface;
[0019] The interface detection sub-circuit is used to automatically identify the motherboard interface type to which the adapter card is connected and to feed back the identification result to the main control conversion circuit.
[0020] Preferably, the power management circuit includes:
[0021] The wide-voltage input sub-circuit is used to convert various input voltages into operating voltages suitable for mSATA SSDs, ensuring stable power supply under different power environments;
[0022] The voltage regulator sub-circuit, connected to the wide voltage input sub-circuit, is used for secondary voltage regulation to eliminate ripple and provide a clean low-voltage power supply for the mSATA multi-function adapter card chipset.
[0023] The power path management sub-circuit is used to automatically switch the power supply path between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply when multiple available power inputs exist;
[0024] An overcurrent protection sub-circuit, connected to the voltage regulator sub-circuit, is used to monitor the current status and cut off the power output when an abnormality is detected.
[0025] Preferably, the status indication circuit includes:
[0026] The signal acquisition sub-circuit is used to acquire the status signals of the mSATA SSD;
[0027] The driver sub-circuit, connected to the signal acquisition sub-circuit, is used to control the on / off state and color change of the LEDs based on the status signal of the mSATA SSD.
[0028] Preferably, the mSATA multi-function adapter card further includes a heat sink, which covers at least the main control conversion circuit.
[0029] The working principle and usage principle of this utility model are as follows: the mSATA multi-function adapter card converts the SATA signal of the mSATA SSD into the target interface protocol (such as SATA protocol, PCIe protocol or Mini PCIe protocol) through the main control conversion circuit, and adapts to different motherboard interfaces through the interface switching circuit to achieve multi-protocol compatibility.
[0030] The interface detection sub-circuit can automatically identify the motherboard interface type and feed it back to the main control conversion circuit without the need for manual switching.
[0031] The multiplexer selects the corresponding interface output path based on the detection results or user instructions.
[0032] The power management circuit supports wide voltage input, provides clean power through DC-DC buck and linear regulation, and features overcurrent protection such as a resettable fuse, and automatic switching between main and auxiliary power supplies such as priority PCIe power supply.
[0033] The status indicator circuit provides real-time feedback on the SSD's operating status, such as normal, in transmission, or fault, through LED color changes (e.g., solid green / blinking blue / alarm red).
[0034] The heat sink covers the main control chip, and combined with thermally conductive materials and PCB vias for heat dissipation, it ensures stable operation over a long period of time.
[0035] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0036] The mSATA multi-function adapter card provided by this utility model is compatible with multiple interface types such as SATA, PCIe and MiniPCIe. By automatically identifying the interface and converting multiple protocols, it reduces user operations.
[0037] This utility model features a power supply design with a universal wide voltage input range, and through overcurrent protection, automatic switching between main and auxiliary power supplies, and heat dissipation design, it effectively ensures long-term operational reliability and stability in complex industrial environments.
[0038] This invention provides intuitive feedback on the working status through the multi-color status display of LED indicator lights, significantly improving user experience and fault diagnosis efficiency.
[0039] This invention is applicable to complex environments, significantly improving adaptability and reliability in industrial scenarios, while reducing the cost and complexity of replacing adapter cards. Attached Figure Description
[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0041] Figure 2 This is a structural block diagram of the main control conversion circuit of this utility model;
[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the protocol conversion chip of the main control conversion circuit of this utility model;
[0043] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the interface switching circuit of this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0044] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application may also be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of this application with unnecessary detail.
[0045] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or sets.
[0046] To keep the drawings concise, each figure only schematically shows the parts related to this utility model, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. Furthermore, to facilitate understanding, in some figures, only one of the components with the same structure or function is schematically depicted, or only one is labeled. In this document, "one" not only means "only one," but can also mean "more than one."
[0047] It should also be further understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.
[0048] Furthermore, in the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0049] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the specific implementation methods of this utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings and other implementation methods can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.
[0050] It should be noted that a differential pair is a set of pins in a chip used for data transmission. Two pins form a pair, and differential signals are used to improve anti-interference capability and transmission rate.
[0051] Please see Figure 1-4 This utility model provides a technical solution: an mSATA multi-function adapter card, comprising:
[0052] The main control conversion circuit is used to receive the SATA data signal from the mSATA SSD and convert the data signal into an adapted output signal according to the target interface type.
[0053] An interface switching circuit, connected to the main control conversion circuit, is used to select the target interface output path according to user instructions or automatic detection, and transmit the output signal of the main control conversion circuit to the corresponding interface;
[0054] A status indicator circuit, connected to the main control conversion circuit, is used to monitor the working status of the mSATA SSD and display status information via LEDs.
[0055] The power management circuit is connected to the main control conversion circuit and the interface switching circuit respectively, and is used to provide a stable operating voltage for the mSATA SSD, the main control conversion circuit, the interface switching circuit and the status indicator circuit;
[0056] The target interface types include SATA interface, PCIe interface and Mini PCIe interface.
[0057] Specifically, the interface detection sub-circuit automatically identifies the motherboard interface type, and the main control conversion circuit completes the signal format conversion. Finally, the interface output sub-circuit transmits the data to the target interface.
[0058] Throughout the process, the power management circuit provides stable voltage support to the mSATA SSD and all circuit modules, while the status indicator circuit monitors the working status of the mSATA SSD and provides feedback to the user.
[0059] These circuits work together to achieve functions such as data signal conversion, multi-interface compatibility selection, stable power supply, and status monitoring.
[0060] Furthermore, the main control conversion circuit includes:
[0061] A protocol conversion chip is used to convert SATA data signals from the mSATA SSD into a signal format compatible with the target interface type;
[0062] The signal buffer sub-circuit, connected to the protocol conversion chip, is used to shape and enhance the converted signal.
[0063] Specifically, the protocol conversion chip can be selected from ASMedia ASM116x series or JMB585 chips that support the SATA standard. The SATA end of the chip connects to the mSATA socket of the mSATA SSD.
[0064] Users can configure the command signal conversion protocol via onboard DIP switches;
[0065] The chip receives the user's command signal from the mode selection pin MODE_SEL and converts the mSATA SSD's SATA signal into the target interface protocol (such as SATA protocol, PCIe or Mini PCIe protocol) and outputs it through the corresponding pin. For example, the SATA protocol corresponds to the TX / RX differential pair pin output; the PCIe or Mini PCIe protocol corresponds to the PEP / PERN differential pair pin output.
[0066] For example, the binary-coded user command signal can be set via an onboard DIP switch:
[0067] 00 Configure SATA mode;
[0068] 01 Configure PCIe mode;
[0069] 10. Configure Mini PCIe mode.
[0070] The signal buffer sub-circuit may include a level converter or signal repeater (such as a buffer chip like the SN74LVC4245A), and an impedance matching network is designed to shape, enhance, and drive the signal output by the protocol conversion chip to eliminate signal attenuation and distortion, and ensure the integrity of the signal transmitted at the board level to the interface connector.
[0071] Furthermore, the interface switching circuit includes:
[0072] A multiplexer, connected to the main control conversion circuit, is used to select the target interface type according to user instructions;
[0073] An interface output sub-circuit, connected to the multiplexer, is used to transmit the output signal of the main control conversion circuit to the corresponding physical interface;
[0074] The interface detection sub-circuit is used to automatically identify the motherboard interface type to which the adapter card is connected and to feed back the identification result to the main control conversion circuit.
[0075] Specifically, the multiplexer can be a model such as TS3L501E, which receives user command signals from the main control conversion circuit through the SEL pin to select the target interface type (such as SATA interface, PCIe interface or Mini PCIe interface), and the interface output sub-circuit transmits the output signal of the selected interface to the corresponding interface.
[0076] The interface detection sub-circuit detects the level state of the pins (such as specific ID pins) corresponding to different target interfaces (such as SATA, PCIe, and Mini PCIe interfaces) on the adapter card, and uses a comparator circuit (such as one based on an LM393 chip) or logic circuit to identify and determine the type of the currently connected motherboard interface. The identification result is then fed back to the main control conversion circuit. The main control conversion circuit automatically adjusts the output signal format based on the feedback information to switch the output path, thereby reducing the user's operation steps and improving the system's intelligence level.
[0077] For example, when an industrial motherboard only supports the Mini PCIe interface, the interface detection sub-circuit will detect this information and notify the main control conversion circuit. Subsequently, the main control conversion circuit will adjust the output signal format to Mini PCIe compatible mode to ensure that data can be transmitted smoothly.
[0078] Furthermore, the power management circuit includes:
[0079] The wide-voltage input sub-circuit is used to convert various input voltages into operating voltages suitable for mSATA SSDs, ensuring stable power supply under different power environments;
[0080] The voltage regulator sub-circuit, connected to the wide voltage input sub-circuit, is used for secondary voltage regulation to eliminate ripple and provide a clean low-voltage power supply for the mSATA multi-function adapter card chipset.
[0081] The power path management sub-circuit is used to automatically switch the power supply path between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply when multiple available power inputs exist;
[0082] An overcurrent protection sub-circuit, connected to the voltage regulator sub-circuit, is used to monitor the current status and cut off the power output when an abnormality is detected.
[0083] Specifically, the wide-voltage input sub-circuit is compatible with various power adapters or motherboard interfaces and supports wide voltage input (such as 5V-12V DC input) to be converted to 3.3V or 1.8V output through a DC-DC step-down chip (such as MP2307);
[0084] The voltage regulator circuit includes a linear regulator (such as TPS7A47) to eliminate ripple;
[0085] In the power path management sub-circuit, the main power supply can be an external power supply, and the auxiliary power supply can be obtained from various power sources such as PCIe. This design can prevent power conflicts and improve reliability. For example, PCIe power is given priority, and external input is used as a backup.
[0086] The overcurrent protection sub-circuit is implemented by a self-resetting fuse. For example, when voltage fluctuations or short circuits occur in an industrial environment, the PPTC of the overcurrent protection sub-circuit blows to prevent hardware damage due to excessive current.
[0087] Furthermore, the status indication circuit includes:
[0088] The signal acquisition sub-circuit is used to acquire the status signals of the mSATA SSD;
[0089] The driver sub-circuit, connected to the signal acquisition sub-circuit, is used to control the on / off state and color change of the LEDs based on the status signal of the mSATA SSD.
[0090] Specifically, the signal acquisition sub-circuit can acquire the status signals of the mSATASSD by connecting to the GPIO pins from the main control conversion circuit, such as normal operation, data transmission, or fault alarm.
[0091] The driver sub-circuit can use LEDs such as the WS2812B. For example, when the mSATA SSD is in normal working condition, the LED will be solid green; when data is being transmitted, the LED will flash blue; and when a fault occurs, the LED will turn red and flash rapidly to remind the user to troubleshoot the problem in time.
[0092] Furthermore, it also includes a heat sink that covers at least the main control conversion circuit.
[0093] Specifically, for example, an aluminum heat sink is covered on the protocol conversion chip of the main control conversion circuit and fixed with thermally conductive silicone. A graphene thermal pad is coated on the contact surface with the chip, and multiple vias are arranged on the PCB to enhance heat conduction.
[0094] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.
Claims
1. An mSATA multi-function adapter card, characterized in that, include: The main control conversion circuit is used to receive the SATA data signal from the mSATA SSD and convert the data signal into an adapted output signal according to the target interface type. An interface switching circuit, connected to the main control conversion circuit, is used to select the target interface output path according to user instructions or automatic detection, and transmit the output signal of the main control conversion circuit to the corresponding interface; A status indicator circuit, connected to the main control conversion circuit, is used to monitor the working status of the mSATA SSD and display status information via LEDs. The power management circuit is connected to the main control conversion circuit and the interface switching circuit respectively, and is used to provide a stable operating voltage for the mSATASSD, the main control conversion circuit, the interface switching circuit and the status indicator circuit; The target interface types include SATA interface, PCIe interface and Mini PCIe interface.
2. The mSATA multi-function adapter card according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main control conversion circuit includes: A protocol conversion chip is used to convert SATA data signals from the mSATA SSD into a signal format compatible with the target interface type; The signal buffer sub-circuit, connected to the protocol conversion chip, is used to shape and enhance the converted signal.
3. The mSATA multi-function adapter card according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interface switching circuit includes: A multiplexer, connected to the main control conversion circuit, is used to select the target interface type according to user instructions; An interface output sub-circuit, connected to the multiplexer, is used to transmit the output signal of the main control conversion circuit to the corresponding physical interface; The interface detection sub-circuit is used to automatically identify the motherboard interface type to which the adapter card is connected and to feed back the identification result to the main control conversion circuit.
4. The mSATA multi-function adapter card according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power management circuit includes: The wide-voltage input sub-circuit is used to convert various input voltages into operating voltages suitable for mSATA SSDs, ensuring stable power supply under different power environments; The voltage regulator sub-circuit, connected to the wide voltage input sub-circuit, is used for secondary voltage regulation to eliminate ripple and provide a clean low-voltage power supply for the mSATA multi-function adapter card chipset. The power path management sub-circuit is used to automatically switch the power supply path between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply when multiple available power inputs exist; An overcurrent protection sub-circuit, connected to the voltage regulator sub-circuit, is used to monitor the current status and cut off the power output when an abnormality is detected.
5. The mSATA multi-function adapter card according to claim 1, characterized in that: The status indication circuit includes: The signal acquisition sub-circuit is used to acquire the status signals of the mSATA SSD; The driver sub-circuit, connected to the signal acquisition sub-circuit, is used to control the on / off state and color change of the LEDs based on the status signal of the mSATA SSD.
6. An mSATA multi-function adapter card according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: It also includes a heat sink that covers at least the main control switching circuit.