Reversible riser map for an information processing device

Abstract

A reversible riser card comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) and first, second, third, and fourth riser connectors. The first connector is positioned on a first edge and the second connector on a second edge of the PCB; the third connector is positioned on the second edge and adjacent to the second connector; and the fourth connector is mounted on a face of the PCB and electrically connected to the first, second, and third connectors, and configured to mate with an expansion connector of an expansion card. The riser card is configured to be interchangeably mounted on a system board in a first mounting orientation, connected to the face of the PCB that points along a first direction, and in a second mounting orientation, connected to the face of the PCB that points along a second direction, with the PCB perpendicular to the system board.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] An information processing device, such as a computer, network device, or similar, may contain a primary system board (e.g., a motherboard or host processor module) with hardware components such as central processing units, resistors, capacitors, or similar components to provide basic functionality. To achieve higher performance and / or expand the device's functionality, additional hardware components, such as an expansion card (e.g., a display card), may be connected to the primary system board. In some information processing devices, the primary system board may include a connector (e.g., a system board connector) that can directly accommodate the expansion card.In other information processing equipment, however, the primary system board may not have the appropriate number or type of connectors required to accommodate the desired expansion card(s), or the connectors may be present but located in an inconvenient position or orientation. Therefore, in some information processing equipment, another card (or intermediate card) carrying an intermediate connector suitable for the expansion card can be connected to the primary system board, thus providing the necessary connection point for the expansion card. Such an intermediate card is generally referred to as a riser card, and the intermediate connector is called a riser connector. Furthermore, expansion cards can have various sizes and form factors, such as a full-height expansion card or a low-profile expansion card. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Several examples are described below with reference to the following illustrations. Fig. shows a block diagram of a direction-changeable riser map according to an example in the present disclosure. Fig. shows a block diagram of part of an information processing device with a housing, a primary system board and a first riser assembly with a direction-changeable riser card. Fig. , which is mounted on the primary system board in a first mounting orientation according to an example of the present disclosure. Fig. shows a block diagram of part of an information processing device with a housing, a primary system board and a first riser assembly with a direction-changeable riser card. Fig. , which is mounted on the primary system board in a second mounting orientation according to an example of the present disclosure. Fig. shows a block diagram of part of the information processing device of Fig. with a first extension card and a second extension card according to an example of the present revelation. Fig. shows a block diagram of part of the information processing device of Fig. with a second riser pipe arrangement according to an example in the present disclosure. Fig. shows a perspective view of a direction-changing riser map according to an example from the present revelation. Fig. shows a perspective view of part of an information processing device comprising a primary system board and a plurality of direction-changeable riser cards mounted on the primary system board according to an example of the present disclosure. Fig. shows a perspective view of part of an information processing device. Fig. with a first extension card, a second extension card and a third extension card according to an example of the present revelation. Fig. is a flowchart that illustrates a method for installing a direction-changeable riser card and one or more expansion cards in an information processing device according to an example in the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0003] The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings. For explanatory purposes, certain examples are given with reference to the drawings in the Fig. The components shown are described. However, the functionality of the components shown may overlap and may be present in a smaller or larger number of elements and components. Furthermore, the examples shown can be implemented in various environments and are not limited to those shown. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to identical or similar parts. However, it is expressly stated that the drawings are for illustration and description purposes only. Although several examples are described in this document, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosed examples.Instead, the correct scope of the disclosed examples can be defined by the attached claims.

[0004] A riser card is an electronic card comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) and riser connectors (e.g., electrical connectors). A first riser connector is positioned at an edge of the PCB, and a second riser connector is attached to a face of the PCB. The PCB is configured to connect to a primary system board of an information processing device by detachably connecting the first riser connector to a system board connector on the primary system board to receive power, data, and sideband signals from the system board connector. An expansion card is another electronic card comprising an expansion board and an expansion connector (e.g., an electrical connector) located at an edge of the expansion board.The expansion board is configured to couple to the board by detachably connecting the expansion connector to the second riser connector, thus electrically connecting the expansion card to the primary system board via the riser card. A riser assembly includes a riser cage configured to support the riser card and the expansion card added to the information processing device. For example, the riser assembly is installed in the information processing device such that the riser cage is connected to a chassis and the riser card is electrically connected to the primary system board by detachably connecting the first riser connector to the system board connector.The expansion card can be positioned within the riser assembly so that the riser cage supports the expansion card, and the expansion card is electrically connected to the riser card by detachably connecting the expansion connector to the second riser connector. This allows the expansion card to be electrically connected to the primary system board via the riser card. Accordingly, when the expansion card is connected to the riser card, electrical signals can be transmitted from the expansion card to the primary system board via the riser card. This can make it possible to add a type of system board connector that is missing on the primary system board, to increase the number of such system board connectors, or to relocate the positions of such system board connectors to a more convenient location.

[0005] In some cases, when the riser cage is installed in the information processing device, the first riser connector of the riser card can demonstrably mate with the system board connector of the primary system board, with the surface of the riser card facing in a first direction and the riser card perpendicular to the primary system board. In such cases, the first riser connector can have a complementary profile to that of the system board connector, allowing these two connectors to be detachably connected. Furthermore, the expansion card can be positioned in the riser cage such that the edge of the expansion card faces in a second direction, opposite to the first, allowing the expansion connector positioned at the edge of the expansion card to be detachably connected to the second riser connector located on the front of the board.

[0006] Due to limited space in the case, it may sometimes be desirable to position the expansion card in the riser cage so that its edge faces the first direction instead of the second. In such cases, the riser card must be rotated 180 degrees relative to an axis (e.g., a vertical axis perpendicular to the primary system board) so that the surface of the riser card faces the second direction instead of the first, allowing the expansion card's connector to be detachably connected to the second riser connector on the riser card.However, if the riser card is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the axis, the first riser connector, which is positioned at the edge of the riser card, may also be rotated 180 degrees, so that the first riser connector does not have a complementary profile to that of the system board connector of the primary system board, making it impossible to detachably connect these two connectors.

[0007] Therefore, the information processing device may require a new riser card containing a first riser connector with a profile complementary to that of the system board connector, even if the printed circuit board face is oriented in the second direction. Thus, the first riser connector of the new riser card can be detachably mated with the system board connector, and the second riser connector, located on the face of the new riser card with the printed circuit board face in the second direction, can be detachably mated with the expansion connector located on the edge of the expansion card with the edge of the expansion card facing in the first direction.

[0008] Although riser cards are often configured to support one expansion card, under certain circumstances it may be desirable for the information processing device to have a riser card that supports at least two expansion cards in order to improve performance and / or expand the functionality of the information processing device. Therefore, under such circumstances, the information processing device may require a new riser card that includes at least two secondary riser connectors, which can be configured to be detachably compatible with individual expansion connectors from two different expansion cards.

[0009] Therefore, the information processing equipment may require multiple types of riser cards to connect electrically to different types of expansion cards. Because several types of riser cards are available, customers may need to order different types to meet their requirements, which can be cumbersome and difficult to manage. Furthermore, multiple different types of riser cards may need to be manufactured, resulting in additional SKUs and separate inventory management, which in turn increases costs. Additionally, replacing a riser card with a new type can be cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive, and depends on the availability of that new riser card in stock.

[0010] One technical solution to the problems mentioned above may involve providing a reversible riser card that can be reconfigured into multiple compatible configurations to be detachably connected to a primary system board and to multiple expansion cards, where the expansion card has one edge that points in either a first or a second direction. In some examples, the reversible riser card includes a first riser connector positioned on the first edge of a printed circuit board (PCB), a second riser connector and a third riser connector positioned side-by-side on a second edge opposite the first edge of the PCB, and a fourth riser connector attached to a face of the PCB. In such examples, the fourth riser connector may be electrically connected to the first, second, and third riser connectors.

[0011] In one or more examples, the direction-changeable riser card can be interchangeably mounted on a primary system board in a first mounting orientation, which is associated with the surface of the printed circuit board pointing along the first direction and the first edge of the printed circuit board facing the primary system board, and in a second mounting orientation, which is associated with the surface of the printed circuit board pointing along a second direction opposite to the first direction and the second edge of the printed circuit board facing the primary system board, the printed circuit board being perpendicular to the primary system board.

[0012] Accordingly, in the first installation position of the riser card, the first riser connector, positioned at the first edge of the printed circuit board, can be detachably mated with a system board connector of the primary system board. In other words, the first riser connector positioned at the first edge can have a compatible profile with that of the system board connector, allowing the first riser connector to be detachably mated with the system board connector. Therefore, if the expansion card is positioned in the riser cage with one edge of the expansion card facing the second direction opposite to the first direction, an expansion connector of the expansion card, positioned at the edge of the expansion card, can be detachably mated with the fourth riser connector, which is mounted on the face of the riser card facing the first direction.

[0013] Furthermore, the riser card can be reconfigured into a second mounting orientation (e.g., a second configuration) by inverting the circuit board instead of rotating it 180 degrees about a first axis (e.g., a horizontal axis parallel to the primary system board), so that the second edge of the circuit board faces the primary system board and the surface of the circuit board faces the second direction. Accordingly, in the second configuration of the riser card, the second and third connectors, which are positioned on the second edge of the circuit board, can be detachably connected to the connector on the system board.In other words, the second and third riser connectors, positioned on the second edge, can have a compatible profile with that of the system board connector, allowing the second and third riser connectors to be detachably mated with the system board connector. Therefore, if the expansion card is positioned in the riser cage with its edge along the first direction, the expansion card's connector located on that edge can be detachably mated with the fourth riser connector, which is attached to the riser card's surface facing the second direction.In one or more examples, each of the first and second riser connectors can be an edge connector configured to transmit power and sideband signals, the third riser connector is the edge connector configured to transmit data signals, and the fourth riser connector is a PCI-e socket connector.

[0014] The riser card may include a fifth riser connector, located next to the first riser connector and mounted on the front of the printed circuit board (PCB). In such examples, the riser card may also include a sixth riser connector, mounted on the front of the PCB. The sixth riser connector may be electrically connected to the first, second, and fifth riser connectors. In one or more examples, the fifth riser connector is the PCI-e connector, and the sixth riser connector is the edge connector configured for carrying power and sideband signals.

[0015] In some examples, the fifth riser connector can be configured in both the first and second mounting positions of the riser card so that it can be detachably connected to a second expansion connector of a second expansion card. Thus, the riser card can allow the expansion card to be detachably connected to the fourth riser connector, and the second expansion card to be detachably connected to the fifth riser connector. Accordingly, the riser card can allow multiple expansion cards to be stacked vertically.

[0016] Because a new riser card can be easily converted into multiple configurations—either by flipping the riser card to connect it detachably to the expansion card facing either the first or second direction, or by detachably adding additional connectors to the riser card to connect it to multiple expansion cards—the new riser card offers flexibility, ease of maintenance, and supply chain advantages by reducing the number of pre-made riser cards required. Furthermore, the new riser card is cost-effective to assemble, maintain, and replace, as the first, second, third, and fourth riser connectors are pre-installed on the PCB, and only the fifth and sixth riser connectors need to be added to assemble the new riser card to support multiple expansion cards.

[0017] Fig. This shows a block diagram of a direction-changing riser card 100. It is important to understand that... Fig. This is not intended to accurately or to scale represent specific shapes, dimensions, or other structural details, and implementations of the reversible riser card 100 may have a different number and arrangement of the components shown and may also include other parts not shown. The reversible riser card 100 is a peripheral card that can be plugged into a system board connector of the primary system board and allows an information processing device to control a peripheral device (e.g., an expansion card) connected to the peripheral card. The reversible riser card 100 comprises a printed circuit board 102, a variety of electrical connectors, e.g., a first riser connector 104, a second riser connector 106, a third riser connector 108, a fourth riser connector 110, and a variety of mounting holes 111.

[0018] The printed circuit board 102 can be a printed circuit board with internal circuits 112, 114, 116, 118, 120. The printed circuit board 102 has a first edge 122 (e.g., a bottom edge), a second edge 124 (e.g., a top edge), a pair of circumferential edges 126 connected to the first and second edges 122 and 124, respectively, a surface 128 (or a first surface), and a second surface (not shown) opposite surface 128. In some examples, the plurality of mounting holes 111 is arranged adjacent to the perimeter of the printed circuit board 102. In such examples, the direction-changeable riser board 100 can be coupled to a riser cage by inserting fasteners (not shown) into the plurality of mounting holes 111 in the circuit board 102 and a plurality of mounting openings (not shown) in the riser cage.

[0019] The first riser connector 104 is an edge connector (e.g., a gold finger connector) positioned at the first edge 122 of the printed circuit board 102. The first riser connector 104 is aligned parallel to the printed circuit board 102 and extends vertically from the first edge 122 of the printed circuit board 102 along a first vertical direction 11 parallel to an axis 10 in which Fig. shown state and is configured to fit directly with a first system board connector 218 of a primary system board 204 (as in Fig. (shown). In some examples, the first riser connector 104 may have a profile that is complementary to the profile of a modular expandable input-output connector (M-XIO). In such examples, the first riser connector 104 may be used for the transmission of power and sideband signals.

[0020] The second riser connector 106 is an edge connector (e.g., a gold finger connector) positioned at the second edge 124 opposite the first edge 122 of the printed circuit board 102. The second riser connector 106 is aligned parallel to the printed circuit board 102 and extends vertically from the second edge 124 of the printed circuit board 102 along a second vertical direction 13 parallel to the axis 10 in the Fig. shown state and is configured to fit directly with a first system board connector 318 of a primary system board 304 (as in Fig. (shown). In some examples, the second riser connector 106 may have a profile that is complementary to the profile of a modular expandable input-output connector (M-XIO). In such examples, the second riser connector 106 may be used for the transmission of power and sideband signals.

[0021] The third riser connector 108 is an edge connector (e.g., a golden finger connector) located at the second edge 124 and adjacent to the second riser connector 106. The third riser connector 108 is aligned parallel to the printed circuit board and extends vertically from the second edge 124 of the printed circuit board 102 along the second vertical direction 13 parallel to the axis 10 in the Fig. The depicted state. In some examples, the third riser connector 108 may be configured to directly mate with a second system board connector 320 of the primary system board 304 (as shown in Fig. (as shown). In some other examples, the third riser connector 108 can be configured so that it can be connected to a second system board connector 220 via a first cable 236 (as shown in Fig. (shown). In certain examples, the third riser connector 108 can be defined by two connection sections (e.g., a first connection section and a second connection section (not shown) spaced apart from each other). In some examples, the third riser connector 108 can have a profile complementary to that of a modular expandable input-output (M-XIO) connector. In such examples, the third riser connector 108 can be used for transmitting data signals.

[0022] In one or more examples, a combination of the second and third riser connectors 106, 108 can have a profile complementary to that of a modularly expandable input-output connector (M-XIO connector). Accordingly, the combination of the second and third riser connectors 106, 108 can be configured to transmit the power, sideband, and data signals from the primary system board 304 to the reversible riser card 100, as shown in Fig. It should be noted that the combination of the second and third riser connectors 106, 108, e.g. the M-XIO connector, is a standardized connector defined according to the guidelines of an Open Compute Program (OCP program).

[0023] The fourth riser connector 110 is a female connector with a profile similar to a PCI-e female connector. In some examples, the fourth riser connector 110 is attached to the end face 128 of the printed circuit board 102 and oriented perpendicular to the printed circuit board 102. In particular, the fourth riser connector 110 is oriented such that it extends horizontally from the face 128 of the printed circuit board 102 along a first direction 15 (as shown in Fig. shown) parallel to a first axis 20 in the in Fig. the shown state extends and is configured to connect to a first expansion connector 448 of a first expansion card 442 (as shown in Fig. (shown) fits together. In such examples, the first expansion connector 448 can have a profile like a PCI-e connector, which is compatible with the profile of the fourth riser connector 110, such as the PCI-e socket connector. In one or more examples, the fourth riser connector 110 is electrically connected to the first, second, and third riser connectors 104, 106, 108. In particular, the electrical contacts of the fourth riser connector 110 are connected via the internal circuits 114, 116, 118 (as shown in dashed lines in Fig. (shown) in the reversible riser card 100 is electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the first, second, and third riser connectors 104, 106, 108. Accordingly, the fourth riser connector 110 can be configured to receive the power and sideband signals from one of the first or second riser connectors 104, 106, or the data signals from the third riser connector 108, and to transmit the received power, sideband, and data signals to the first expansion card 442.

[0024] In some examples, the fourth riser connector 110 can receive the power and sideband signals from the first riser connector 104 via the internal circuit 114, and the data signals from the third riser connector 108 via the internal circuit 118. In such examples, the first riser connector 104 can be configured to receive the power and sideband signals directly from the first system board connector 218 (as in the Fig. (as shown), and the third riser connector 108 can be configured to receive the data signals from the second system board connector 220 via the first cable 236 (as shown in the Fig. (shown).

[0025] In some other examples, the fourth riser connector 110 can receive the power and sideband signals from the second riser connector 106 via the internal circuit 116 and the data signals from the third riser connector 108 via the internal circuit 118. In such examples, the second riser connector 106 and the third riser connector 108 can be configured to receive the power and sideband signals as well as the data signals from the first system board connector 318 (as in Fig. (as shown) received directly.

[0026] The reversible riser card 100 can also include a fifth riser connector 132 and a sixth riser connector 134. In some examples, the fifth riser connector 132 is a female connector with a profile such as a PCI-e female connector. The fifth riser connector 132 can be located next to one of the first or second riser connectors 104, 106 and attached to the end face 128 of the printed circuit board 102. In the example of Fig. The fifth riser connector 132 is located next to the first riser connector 104, attached to surface 128 and oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 102. The fifth riser connector 132 can be configured to connect to a second expansion connector 452 of a second expansion card 444 (as shown in Fig. (as shown). In such examples, the second expansion connector 452 can have a profile, such as a PCI-e connector, that is compatible with the profile of the fifth riser connector 132, such as the PCI-e socket connector. Furthermore, the fifth riser connector 132 can be configured to connect via a second cable 454 (as shown). Fig. (as shown) can be connected to a third system board connector 222 of the primary system board 204. In such examples, the fifth riser connector 132 can also receive the data signals from the primary system board 204 via the third system board connector 222 and the second cable 454, and transmit the received data signals from the reversible riser card 100 to the second expansion card 444.

[0027] The sixth riser connector 134 is a socket connector mounted on the end face 128 of the printed circuit board 102 and electrically connected to the first riser connector 104, the second riser connector 106, and the fifth riser connector 132. Specifically, the electrical contacts of the sixth riser connector 134 are connected via internal circuits 120, 112 (as indicated by dashed lines in Figure 1). Fig. (as indicated) in the direction-changeable riser card 100 is connected to the electrical contacts of the first and second riser connectors 104 and 106, respectively. Furthermore, the sixth riser connector 134 can be configured to be connected via a third cable 456 (as shown in Fig. (as shown) can be connected to the fifth riser connector 132. Accordingly, the sixth riser connector 134 can be configured to receive the power and sideband signals from one of the first or second riser connectors 104, 106 via the internal circuitry 120 or 112, respectively. In such examples, the sixth riser connector 134 can be configured to transmit the received power and sideband signals to the fifth riser connector 132 via the third cable 456. The fifth riser connector 132 can be configured to forward the received power and sideband signals to the second expansion card 444.

[0028] Fig. shows a block diagram of an information processing device 200 with a housing 202, a primary system board 204 and one or more riser assemblies, including a first riser assembly 210 with a direction-changeable riser card 100. Fig. , which is mounted on the primary system board 204 in a first mounting orientation, and a riser cage 211. It should be noted that in Fig. A side view of the information processing device 200 is shown. In some examples, the information processing device 200 may be a computer (e.g., a server, a storage device), a network device (e.g., a switch, an access point), or the like.

[0029] The chassis 202 can be a housing consisting of a pair of peripheral side panels 205 (one side panel is in Fig. (shown), consisting of a base 206, a cover 207, a rear panel 208 and a front panel 209. The pair of peripheral side panels 205 is connected to the base 206, the cover 207, the rear panel 208 and the front panel 209 to define an internal volume 212 of the enclosure 202.

[0030] The primary system board 204 is positioned within the inner volume 212 and is attached to the base 206 via a variety of support elements 214. In some examples, the primary system board 204 is a host processor module. In such examples, the host processor module may contain a variety of electronic components in accordance with the OCP guidelines. In some examples, the primary system board 204 comprises a substrate 216 and the variety of electronic components, such as a central processing unit, resistors, capacitors, data and power connectors, or the like, mounted on the substrate 216. The primary system board 204 further comprises a first system board connector 218, a second system board connector 220, and a third system board connector 222.In some examples, the first system board connector 218 is a modularly expandable input / output (M-XIO) connector, and each of the second and third system board connectors 220, 222 is an M-XIO receptacle connector. In some examples, each of the first, second, and third system board connectors 218, 220, 222 is mounted on the substrate 216 or a face of the primary system board 204, such that each of these connectors extends vertically from the substrate 216 along a second vertical direction 13 parallel to the axis 10. In such examples, the first system board connector 218 comprises a first section 218-A and a second section 218-B, wherein the first section 218-A is configured for the transmission of power and sideband signals, and the second section 218-B is configured for the transmission of data signals. Similarly, the second and third system board connectors 220 and 222 respectively are configured for the transmission of data signals.

[0031] Each riser assembly of the one or more riser assemblies, e.g. the first riser assembly 210, comprises a reversible riser card 100 and the riser cage 211, which is configured to couple the reversible riser card 100 to the chassis 202. The reversible riser card comprises a circuit board 102, a first riser connector 104, a second riser connector 106, a third riser connector 108, a fourth riser connector 110, and a plurality of mounting holes 111. In some examples, the reversible riser card 100 is mounted on the riser cage 211 such that the first edge 122 of the reversible riser card 100 abuts a lower edge 213 of the riser cage 211, and the multiple mounting holes 111 of the reversible riser card 100 are aligned with multiple mounting openings 215 of the riser cage 211.In such examples, a fastening element of a plurality of fastening elements (not shown) can extend through a corresponding hole of the plurality of fastening holes 111 and a corresponding opening of the plurality of fastening openings 215 to detachably connect the direction-changeable riser card 100 to the riser cage 211 and thereby form the first riser assembly 210.

[0032] The riser cage 211 is configured so that the reversible riser card 100 can be removable and installed in the housing 202. In some examples, the riser cage 211 is installed next to the rear wall 208 of the housing 202, so that the reversible riser card 100 is interchangeably mounted on the primary system board 204 of the information processing device 200 in a first mounting orientation that is connected to the surface 128 of the circuit board 102, which points along a first direction 15 parallel to a first axis 20.

[0033] In the first installation position, the first riser connector 104 is detachably connected to the first system board connector 218 of the primary system board 204, with the circuit board 102 positioned perpendicular to the primary system board 204. In other words, the reversible riser card 100 is mounted on the primary system board 204, which is positioned below the circuit board 102, so that the first riser connector 104 (e.g., an edge connector), which is positioned at the first edge 122 of the circuit board 102, mates with the first section 218-A of the first system board connector 218 (e.g., the M-XIO connector) of the primary system board 204. In such examples, the joining of the first riser connector 104 with the first system board connector 218 is carried out by moving the first riser connector 104 along the first vertical direction 11 parallel to the axis 10 and to the circuit board 102.Accordingly, the first riser connector 104 of the reversible riser card 100 can receive power and sideband signals from the first system board connector 218. The first riser connector 104 transmits the power and sideband signals via the internal circuit 114 of the circuit board 102 to the fourth riser connector 110.

[0034] The information processing device 200 further comprises a cable assembly consisting of a first cable 236 with a first cable connector 238 at one end (unlabeled) and a second cable connector 240 at the other end (unlabeled). In some examples, the first cable connector 238 is a modularly expandable input-output receptacle connector, and the second cable connector 240 is a modularly expandable input-output plug connector. The third riser connector 108 is detachably connected to the first cable connector 238 of the first cable 236, and the second cable connector 240 is detachably connected to the second system card connector 220 of the primary system card 204. In other words, the first cable connector 238 (e.g., the M-XIO socket connector) fits the third riser connector 108 (e.g., an edge connector), and the second cable connector 240 (e.g., the M-XIO connector) fits the second system connector (e.g., the M-XIO socket connector).In such examples, the connection of the first cable connector 238 to the third riser connector 108 and the connection of the second cable connector 240 to the second system board connector 220 are achieved by moving the first and second cable connectors 238 and 240, respectively, along the first vertical direction 11 parallel to the axis 10 and to the circuit board 102. Accordingly, the third riser connector 108 receives data signals from the primary system board 204 via the second system board connector 220, the second cable connector 240, the first cable 236, and the first cable connector 238. The third riser connector 108 then transmits the data signals via the internal circuitry 118 of the circuit board 102 to the fourth riser connector 110.

[0035] Fig. shows a block diagram of an information processing device 300 with a housing 302, a primary system board 304 and a first riser assembly 310 with a direction-changeable riser card 100. Fig. , which is mounted on the primary system board 304 in a second mounting orientation relative to the first mounting orientation, and a riser cage 311. It should be noted that in Fig. Another side view of the information processing device 300 is shown.

[0036] The information processing device 300 is essentially similar to the information processing device 200 described above. Therefore, the information processing device is not described in detail, and such non-description of the information processing device 300 should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0037] The chassis 302 can be a housing consisting of a pair of peripheral side panels 305 (one side panel is in Fig. (shown), consisting of a base 306, a cover 307, a rear wall 308 and a front panel 309.

[0038] The primary system board 304 is attached to the base 306 via a plurality of support elements 314. The primary system board 304 comprises a first system board connector 318, a second system board connector 320, and a third system board connector 322. In some examples, the first system board connector 318 comprises a first section 318A and a second section 318B, the first section 318A being configured for the transmission of power and sideband signals and the second section 318B being configured for the transmission of data signals. Similarly, the second and third system board connectors 320 and 322, respectively, are configured for the transmission of data signals.

[0039] The reversible riser card 100 comprises a circuit board 102, a first riser connector 104, a second riser connector 106, a third riser connector 108, and a fourth riser connector 110. In some examples, the reversible riser card 100 is mounted on the riser cage 311 such that the second edge 124 of the reversible riser card 100 abuts a lower edge 313 of the riser cage 311. Furthermore, the riser cage 311 is configured so that the reversible riser card 100 can be removed and installed in the housing 302. In some examples, the riser cage 311 is installed next to the rear wall 308 of the housing 302, so that the reversible riser card 100 is interchangeably mounted on the primary system board 304 of the information processing device 300 in a second mounting orientation, which is connected to the surface 128 of the circuit board 102, which is oriented along a second direction 17 (as in Fig. (shown) points in the opposite direction to the first direction 15 along the first axis 20. It can be noted here that the circuit board 102 can be reversed with respect to the first axis 20 to allow the direction-changeable riser board 100 to be mounted from the first orientation (as shown). Fig. shown) into the second mounting orientation (as shown in Fig. to move (as shown). In other words, the reversible riser card 100 of the first riser assembly 310 is configured to be mounted on the primary system board 304 in the second mounting orientation instead of the first mounting orientation, as shown. Fig. It can be shown and reassembled.

[0040] In the second mounting orientation, the second and third riser connectors 106, 108 are detachably connected to the first system board connector 318 of the primary system board 304, with the circuit board 102 positioned perpendicular to the primary system board 304. In other words, the reversible riser card 100 is mounted on the primary system board 304, which is positioned below the circuit board 102, so that the second riser connector 106 (e.g., an edge connector) and the third riser connector 108 (e.g., another edge connector), which are positioned at the second edge 124 of the circuit board 102, are connected to the first section 318A and the second section 318B, respectively, of the first system board connector 318 (e.g., the M-XIO connector) of the primary system board 304.In such examples, the connection of the second riser connector 106 and the third riser connector 108 with the first system board connector 318 is achieved by moving the second and third riser connectors 106, 108 along the first vertical direction 11 parallel to the axis 10 and to the circuit board 102. Accordingly, the second and third riser connectors 106, 108 of the reversible riser card 100 can receive power and sideband signals as well as the data signals from the first system board connector 318. The second riser connector 106 transmits the power and sideband signals via the internal circuitry 116 of the circuit board 102 to the fourth riser connector 110. Similarly, the third riser connector 108 transmits the data signals via the internal circuitry 118 of the circuit board 102 to the fourth riser connector 110.

[0041] Fig. shows a block diagram of the information processing device 200 of Fig. with a first expansion card 442 and a second expansion card 444. The information processing device 200 comprises a housing 202, a primary system board 204 and one or more riser assemblies, including a first riser assembly 210 with a reversible riser card 100 mounted on the primary system board 204 in a first mounting orientation, and a riser cage 211.

[0042] Each of the first and second expansion cards 442 and 444 can be a PCI-e expansion card, such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The first expansion card 442 comprises a housing 446 and a first expansion slot 448 located on an edge (unlabeled) of the housing 446. Similarly, the second expansion card 444 comprises a housing 450 and a second expansion slot 452 located on an edge (unlabeled) of the housing 450.

[0043] The information processing device 200 further comprises a cable assembly with a second cable 454 and a third cable 456. In such examples, each of the second and third cables 454, 456 is configured to carry the data signals from the primary system board 204 to the riser connectors, for example, to the third riser connector 108 and the fifth riser connector 132 of the reversible riser card 100. In some examples, the second cable 454 includes a third cable connector 458 at one end (unlabeled) and a fourth cable connector 460 at the other end (unlabeled). Similarly, the third cable 456 includes a fifth cable connector 462 at one end (unlabeled) and a sixth cable connector 464 at the other end (unlabeled).In some examples, the third cable connector 458 is a PCI-e connector, the fourth cable connector 460 is a modularly expandable input / output connector, the fifth cable connector 462 is the PCI-e connector, and the sixth cable connector 464 is a connector. In some examples, the third cable connector 458 of the second cable 454 is connected to the fifth riser connector 132 of the reversible riser card 100, and the fourth cable connector 460 of the second cable 454 is connected to the third system board connector 222 of the primary system board 204 to transmit the data signals from the primary system board 204 to the fifth riser connector 132.Similarly, the fifth cable connector 462 of the third cable 456 is connected to the fifth riser connector 132 of the reversible riser card 100, and the sixth cable connector 464 of the third cable 456 is connected to the sixth riser connector 134 of the reversible riser card 100 to transmit the power and sideband signals from the sixth riser connector 134 to the fifth riser connector 132.

[0044] As described above, the first riser connector 104 is detachably connected to the first section 218-A of the first system board connector 218. In such examples, the joining of the first riser connector 104 and the first section 218-A of the first system board connector 218 is achieved by moving the first riser connector 104 along the first vertical direction 11 parallel to the axis 10 and to the circuit board 102. Accordingly, the first riser connector 104 of the direction-changeable riser board 100 can receive power and sideband signals from the first system board connector 218. The first riser connector 104 transmits the power and sideband signals via the internal circuitry 114 of the circuit board 102 to the fourth riser connector 110.The third riser connector 108 is detachably connected to the first cable connector 238 of the first cable 236 and the second cable connector 240 is detachably connected to the second system board connector 220 of the primary system board 204. In such examples, the connection of the first cable connector 238 to the third riser connector 108 and the connection of the second cable connector 240 to the second system board connector 220 are achieved by moving the first and second cable connectors 238 and 240, respectively, along the first vertical direction 11 parallel to the axis 10 and to the circuit board 102. Accordingly, the third riser connector 108 receives data signals from the primary system board 204 via the second system board connector 220, the second cable connector 240, the first cable 236, and the first cable connector 238. The third riser connector 108 then transmits the data signals via the internal circuitry 118 of the circuit board 102 to the fourth riser connector 110.

[0045] In some examples, the first expansion card 442 is connected to the reversible riser card 100 of the first riser assembly 210 such that the first expansion connector 448 of the first expansion card 442 aligns with the fourth riser connector 110, with a mating axis between the first expansion connector 448 and the fourth riser connector 110 oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 102 and parallel to the first direction along the first axis 20. Accordingly, the first expansion card 442 receives the power and sideband signals as well as the data signals from the primary system board 204 via the fourth riser connector 110.

[0046] The first riser connector 104 of the reversible riser card 100 directly receives power and sideband signals from the first part 218-A of the first system card connector 218. Furthermore, the first riser connector 104 transmits the received power and sideband signals via the internal circuit 114 of the circuit board 102 to the sixth riser connector 134. The sixth riser connector 134 is detachably connected to the sixth cable connector 464 of the third cable 456, and the fifth cable connector 462 is detachably connected to the fifth riser connector 132 of the reversible riser card 100. In such examples, the connection of the sixth cable connector 464 to the sixth riser connector 134 and the connection of the fifth cable connector 462 to the fifth riser connector 132 are made by moving the sixth and fifth cable connectors 464 and 462 respectively along the first vertical direction 11 parallel to the axis 10 and to the circuit board 102.Accordingly, the fifth riser connector 132 receives power and sideband signals from the sixth riser connector 134 via the sixth cable connector 464, the third cable 456, and the fifth cable connector 432. In one or more examples, the fifth riser connector 132 receives the power and sideband signals from the primary system board 204 via the first system board connector 218, one of the first riser connectors 104 or the second riser connector 106, the sixth riser connector 134, and the third cable 456.

[0047] The fifth riser connector 132 is detachably connected to the third cable connector 458 of the second cable 454 and the fourth cable connector 460 of the second cable 454 is detachably connected to the third system board connector 222 of the primary system board 204. In such examples, the connection of the third cable connector 458 to the fifth riser connector 132 and the connection of the fourth cable connector 460 to the third system board connector 222 are achieved by moving the third and fourth cable connectors 458 and 460, respectively, along the first vertical direction 11 parallel to the axis 10 and to the circuit board 102. Accordingly, the fifth riser connector 132 receives data signals from the primary system board 204 via the third system board connector 222, the fourth cable connector 460, the second cable 454, and the third cable connector 458.Accordingly, in one or more examples, the fifth riser connector 132 receives the data signals from the primary system board 204 via the third system board connector 222 and the second cable 454.

[0048] In some examples, the second expansion card 444 is connected to the reversible riser card 100 of the first riser assembly 210 such that the second expansion connector 452 of the second expansion card 444 aligns with the fifth riser connector 132, with a connecting axis between the second expansion connector 452 and the fifth riser connector 132 oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 102 and parallel to the first axis 20 along the second direction 17. Accordingly, the second expansion card 444 receives the power and sideband signals from the primary system board 204 via the sixth riser connector 134.In other words, the fifth riser connector 132, when the reversible riser card 100 is mounted on the primary system board 204, aligns with the second expansion connector 452 of the second expansion card 444 in both the first and second mounting orientations. The second expansion card is oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 102 and along the second direction 17. In one or more examples, the first and second expansion cards 442 and 444, respectively, are stacked vertically relative to each other along the first axis 20.

[0049] Fig. shows a block diagram of part of the information processing device 200 of Fig. with a second riser assembly 210A and another second expansion card 444A (or a third expansion card). It should be noted that in Fig. A top view of the information processing device 200 is shown. The information processing device 200 comprises a housing 202, a primary system board 204, one or more riser assemblies with the first riser assembly 210 and the second riser assembly 210A.

[0050] The primary system board 204 is mounted on and connected to a socket 206 of the chassis 202. As described herein, the primary system board 204 includes a first system board connector 218 (as shown in the Fig. (shown), a second system board connector 220 and a third system board connector 222, each attached to a face of the primary system board 204. The primary system board 204 further comprises some other first system board connectors (or fourth system board connectors 218A, 218B), some other second system board connectors 220A, 220B and some other third system board connectors 222A, 222B, each attached to the front face of the primary system board 204.

[0051] The one or more riser assemblies comprise the first riser assembly 210 and the second riser assembly 210A, each containing a reversible riser card and a riser cage that connects the reversible riser card to the chassis 202. For example, the first riser assembly 210 comprises the reversible riser card 100 and the riser cage 211, which connects the reversible riser card 100 to the chassis 202. Similarly, the second riser assembly 210A comprises a reversible riser card 100A and a riser cage 211A, which connects the second reversible riser card 100A to the chassis 202.In such examples, the reversible riser card of the first and second riser assemblies 210 and 210A each comprises a circuit board, a first riser connector, a second riser connector, a third riser connector, a fourth riser connector, a fifth riser connector, and a sixth riser connector. For example, the reversible riser card 100 of the first riser assembly 210 comprises a circuit board 102, a first riser connector 104 (as shown in the figure). Fig. a second riser connector 106, a third riser connector 108, a fourth riser connector 110 (as shown in the Fig. a fifth riser connector 132 and a sixth riser connector 134 (as shown in the Fig. (shown). Similarly, the reversible riser card 100A of the second riser assembly 210A comprises a circuit board 102A, a first riser connector 104A, a second riser connector 106A, a third riser connector 108A, a fourth riser connector 110A, a fifth riser connector (not shown) and a sixth riser connector (not shown).

[0052] The first riser connector 104 is attached to a first edge 122 (as in Fig. The second riser connector 106 is located on a second edge 124 opposite the first edge 122 of the circuit board 102. The third riser connector 108 is located on the second edge 124 and next to the second riser connector 106. The fourth riser connector 110 is attached to a surface 128 of the circuit board 102 and is electrically connected to the first, second, and third riser connectors 104, 106, and 108. Similarly, the first riser connector 104A is located on a first edge 122A (as shown in the Fig. The first riser connector (shown) is positioned on the circuit board 102A. The second riser connector 106A is located on a second edge (not shown) 124A opposite the first edge 122A of the circuit board 102A. The third riser connector 108A is positioned on the second edge and next to the second riser connector 106A. The fourth riser connector 110A is attached to a surface 128A of the circuit board 102A and is electrically connected to the first, second, and third riser connectors 104A, 106A, and 108A, respectively.

[0053] The respective direction-changeable riser cards 100, 100A of the one or more riser assemblies can be mounted on the primary system board 204 in a first and a second mounting orientation. The first mounting orientation is such that the circuit board 102 is perpendicular to the primary system board 204 and the surface 128 of the circuit board points along a first direction 15 parallel to the first axis 20. The second mounting orientation is such that the circuit board 102A is perpendicular to the primary system board 204 and the surface 128A of the circuit board 102A points along a second direction 17 opposite to the first direction 15, which is parallel to the first axis 20.

[0054] In some examples, the reversible riser card 100 of the first riser assembly 210 is mounted on the primary system board 204 in the first mounting orientation, so that the first riser connector 104 is detachably connected to the first system board connector 218, so that the fourth riser connector 110 receives power and sideband signals from the primary system board 204 via the first system board connector 218 and the first riser connector 104. Furthermore, the third riser connector 108 is detachably connected to the first cable connector 238 of the first cable 236, and the second system board connector 220 is detachably connected to the second cable connector 240, so that the fourth riser connector 110 receives data signals from the primary system board 204 via the second system board connector 220, the second cable connector 240, the first cable 236, the first system board connector 218, and the third riser connector 108.

[0055] The first expansion card 442 is connected to the direction-changeable riser card 100 of the first riser assembly 210 in such a way that a first expansion plug 448 (as in Fig. (as shown) the first expansion card 442 fits with the fourth riser connector 110, with a connecting axis between the first expansion connector 448 and the fourth riser connector 110 being oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 102 and parallel to the first axis 20 along the second direction 17. Furthermore, the second expansion card 444 is connected to the direction-changeable riser card 100 of the first riser assembly 210 such that a first expansion connector 448 (as shown in Fig. (as shown) the first expansion card 442 fits together with the fifth riser connector 132, with a connecting axis between the second expansion connector 452 and the fifth riser connector 132 being oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 102 and parallel to the first axis 20 along the second direction 17. In such examples, the first and second expansion cards 442 and 244, respectively, are stacked vertically to each other and parallel to the axis 10.

[0056] In some examples, the reversible riser card 100 of the first riser assembly on the primary system board 204 can be remounted in the second mounting orientation instead of the first. The second mounting orientation is such that the circuit board 102 is perpendicular to the primary system board 204 and the surface 128 of the circuit board 102 faces the second direction 17 parallel to the first axis 20, so that the second and third riser connectors 106, 108 can be detachably connected to the first system board connector 218, such that the fourth riser connector 110 receives the power and sideband signals from the primary system board 204 via the first system board connector 218 and the second riser connector 106. The fourth riser connector 110 also receives the data signals from the primary system board 204 via the first system board connector 218 and the third riser connector 108.

[0057] The reversible riser card 100A of the second riser assembly 210A is mounted in the second mounting position on the primary system board 204. In such examples, in the second mounting position, the second and third riser connectors 106A and 108A are detachably connected to the fourth system board connector 218A, so that the fourth riser connector 110A receives the power and sideband signals from the primary system board 204 via the fourth system board connector 218A and the second riser connector 106A, and the fourth riser connector 110A also receives the data signals from the primary system board 204 via the fourth system board connector 218A and the third riser connector 108A.In such examples, the other second expansion card 444A is connected to the direction-changeable riser card 100A of the second riser assembly 210A such that a second expansion plug 452A of the second expansion card 444 fits with the fourth riser plug 110A, with a plug axis between the other second expansion plug 452A and the fourth riser plug 110A being oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 102A and along the first direction 15 parallel to the first axis 20. Accordingly, the first and second expansion cards 442, 444A are coupled with the direction-changeable riser cards 100, 100A of the first and second riser assemblies 210, 201A, respectively, with the first and second expansion cards 442, 444A arranged side by side along the first axis 20 and the direction-changeable riser cards 100, 100A of the first and second riser assemblies 210, 2101A arranged in between.

[0058] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a direction-changeable riser card 600. The direction-changeable riser card 600 comprises a printed circuit board 602, a variety of electrical connections, e.g., a first riser connection 604, a second riser connection 606, a third riser connection 608, a fourth riser connection 610, a fifth riser connection 632, a sixth riser connection 634, a variety of mounting holes 611, and a variety of mounting features 635.

[0059] The first riser connector 604 is located on a first edge 622 of the printed circuit board 602. For example, the first riser connector 604 extends along a first vertical direction 11 parallel to the axis 10. The second riser connector 606 is located on a second edge 624 opposite the first edge 622 of the printed circuit board 602. The third riser connector 608 is located on the second edge 624 and adjacent to the second riser connector 606. For example, both the second and third riser connectors 606 and 608 extend along a second vertical direction 13 opposite to the first vertical direction and parallel to the axis 10. The fourth riser connector 610 is attached to a surface 628 of the printed circuit board 102 and can be electrically connected to the first, second, and third riser connectors 604, 608, and 610, respectively.The fifth riser connector 632 is located next to the first riser connector 604 and is attached to the face 628 of the printed circuit board 602. The sixth riser connector 634 is attached to the face 628 of the printed circuit board 602 and can be electrically connected to the first riser connector 604 and the second riser connector 606. The multiple mounting holes 611 can be configured to connect the reversible riser card 600 to a riser cage (not shown) of a riser assembly. The majority of the mounting features 635 are used to connect the fifth riser connector 632 to the face 628 on the second edge 624 of the printed circuit board 602.

[0060] The reversible riser card 600 can be configured to be interchangeable on a primary system board 704 (as in Fig. (as shown) of an information processing device 700 can be mounted in a first mounting orientation, which is connected to the surface 628 of the printed circuit board 102, which points along a first direction 15. The reversible riser card 600 can be reversed to align the reversible riser card 600 in a second mounting orientation, which is connected to the surface 628 of the printed circuit board 602, which points along a second direction 17 opposite to the first direction 15, the printed circuit board 602 being perpendicular to the primary system board 704. In particular, in the first mounting orientation, the first riser connector 604 can be detachably connected to a first system board connector 718 (as shown in Fig. ) of the primary system board such that the fourth riser connector 610 receives power and sideband signals from the first system board connector 718 via the first riser connector 604, and the third riser connector 608 may be detachably connected to a first cable connector of a first cable (not shown) which further comprises a second cable connector which is detachably connected to a second system board connector (not shown) of the primary system board, so that the fourth riser connector 610 receives data signals from the second system board connector via the first cable and the third riser connector 608.Similarly, in the second installation position, the second and third riser connectors 606, 608 can be detachably connected to the first system board connector 718, so that the fourth riser connector 610 receives the power and sideband signals as well as the data signals from the first system board connector 718 via the second riser connector 606 or the third riser connector 608.

[0061] The fifth riser connector 632 can be detachably connected to a third cable connector of a second cable (not shown), which also includes a fourth cable connector that is connected to a third system board connector (not shown) of the primary system board 704, so that the fifth riser connector receives the data signals from the third system board connector via the second cable. The fifth riser connector 632 can further be detachably connected to a fifth cable connector of a third cable (not shown), which further includes a sixth cable connector that is connected to the sixth riser connector, so that the fifth riser connector 632 receives the power and sideband signals from the first system board connector 718 via one of the first riser connectors 604 or the second riser connector 606, the sixth riser connector 634, and the third cable.

[0062] In some examples, the fourth riser port 610 can be configured to connect to a first expansion port 848 (as in Fig. (as shown) a first expansion card 842, which is oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 102. Furthermore, the fifth riser connector 632 can be configured to connect to a second expansion connector 652 of a second expansion card 644, which is oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 602. In such examples, the first and second expansion cards 642 and 644 can be stacked vertically relative to each other.

[0063] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of part of an information processing device 700. In some examples, the part of the information processing device 700 comprises, for example, a computer, an enclosure (not shown), a primary system board 704, and one or more riser assemblies (not labeled), as well as a cable assembly (not shown). It should be noted that the enclosure, a riser cage, and the cable assembly are not shown for ease of illustration, and that the omission of these components should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0064] The enclosure may include a base configured to support the primary system board 704 and components mounted thereon. The primary system board 704 may be coupled to the chassis and includes a first system board connector 718, 718A, 718B, a second system board connector (not shown), and a third system board connector (not shown), each attached to a face 705 of the primary system board 704. In particular, each system board connector extends along a second vertical direction 13 parallel to the axis 10. The cable assembly may include a first cable 836 (as in Fig. (as shown), a second cable 854 (as shown in Fig. The riser assemblies comprise a first riser assembly, a second riser assembly, and a third riser assembly. In such examples, each riser assembly of the one or more riser assemblies comprises a reversible riser card and a riser cage (not shown) configured to couple the reversible riser card to the chassis. The reversible riser card of each riser assembly, for example, the first riser assembly, comprises a 602 printed circuit board, a variety of electrical connectors, such as...a first riser connector 604, a second riser connector 606, a third riser connector 608, a fourth riser connector 610, a fifth riser connector 632, a sixth riser connector 634, a plurality of mounting holes 611, and a plurality of mounting features 635. With reference to . Fig. together with Fig. In such examples, the first riser connector 604 is positioned at a first edge 622 of the printed circuit board 602. For example, the first riser connector 604 extends along a first vertical direction 11 parallel to the axis 10. The second riser connector 606 is located at a second edge 624 opposite the first edge 622 of the printed circuit board 602. The third riser connector 608 is located at the second edge 624 and adjacent to the second riser connector 606. For example, both the second and third riser connectors 606, 608 extend along a second vertical direction 13 that is opposite to the first vertical direction and parallel to the axis 10. The fourth riser connector 610 is attached to a surface 628 of the circuit board 102 and can be electrically connected to the first, second and third riser connectors 604, 608 and 610 respectively.The fifth riser connector 632 is located next to the first riser connector 604 and is attached to the face 628 of the printed circuit board 602. The sixth riser connector 634 is attached to the face 628 of the printed circuit board 602 and can be electrically connected to the first riser connector 604 and the second riser connector 606. The multiple mounting holes 611 can be configured to connect the reversible riser card 600 to a riser cage (not shown) of a riser assembly. The majority of the mounting features 635 are used to connect the fifth riser connector 632 to the face 628 on the second edge 624 of the printed circuit board 602.

[0065] In some examples, the respective reversible riser cards of the one or more riser assemblies can be mounted on the primary system board 704 in a first mounting orientation and a second mounting orientation. In some examples, the reversible riser card 600 is mounted in the first mounting orientation. The first mounting orientation is such that the circuit board 602 is perpendicular to the primary system board 704 and the surface 628 of the circuit board 602 points along a first direction 15. In such examples, when the reversible riser card 600 is mounted on the primary system board 704 in the first mounting orientation, the first riser connector 614 is detachably connected to the first system board connector 618, so that the fourth riser connector 610 receives power and sideband signals from the primary system board 704 via the first system board connector 618 and the first riser connector 604.Furthermore, the third riser connector 606 is detachably connected to the first cable connector (not shown), so that the fourth riser connector 610 receives data signals from the primary system board 704 via the second system board connector, the first cable and the third riser connector 606.

[0066] Although not shown, in some other examples the reversible riser card 600 of the first riser assembly may be configured to be remounted on the primary system board 704 in the second mounting orientation instead of the first mounting orientation.In such examples, the second mounting orientation is associated with the printed circuit board 602 being perpendicular to the primary system board 704 and the surface 628 of the printed circuit board 602 facing the second direction 17, so that the second and third riser connectors 606, 608 are detachably connected to the first system board connector 718, so that the fourth riser connector 610 receives the power and sideband signals from the primary system board 704 via the first system board connector 718 and the second riser connector 606, and the fourth riser connector 610 also receives the data signals from the primary system board 704 via the first system board connector 718 and the third riser connector 608.

[0067] In some examples, each of the second and third reversible riser cards 600A, 600B is mounted in the second mounting orientation on the primary system board 704. Specifically, with regard to the second reversible riser card 600A, the second mounting orientation is such that the circuit board 602A is perpendicular to the primary system board 704 and the surface 628A of the circuit board 602A points in a second direction 17 opposite to the first direction 15.In such examples, when the second reversible riser card 600A is mounted on the primary system board 704 in the second mounting orientation, the second and third riser connectors 606A, 608A of the second reversible riser card 600A are detachably connected to the first system board connector 718A, so that the fourth riser connector 610A receives the power and sideband signals from the primary system board 704 via the first system board connector 718A and the second riser connector 606A, and the fourth riser connector 610A further receives the data signals from the primary system board 704 via the first system board connector 718A and the third riser connector 608A.

[0068] Fig. shows a perspective view of part of an information processing device 700 of Fig. with a first expansion card 842, a second expansion card 844 and a third expansion card 844A.

[0069] In some examples, the first expansion card 842 is connected to the direction-changeable riser card 600 of the first riser assembly such that a first expansion terminal 848 of the first expansion card 842 fits with the fifth riser terminal 632, with a connecting axis between the first expansion terminal 848 and the fifth riser terminal 632 being perpendicular to the circuit board 602 and aligned along the second direction 17.

[0070] Furthermore, the second expansion card 844 is connected to the second reversible riser card 600A of the second riser assembly such that a second expansion connector 852 of the second expansion card 844 fits with the fourth riser connector 610A, with a connection axis between the second expansion connector 852 and the fourth riser connector 610A being oriented perpendicular to the circuit board 602A and parallel to the first direction 15. In such examples, the first and second expansion cards 842, 844 are coupled to the reversible riser cards 600, 600A of the first and second riser assemblies, respectively, with the first and second expansion cards 842, 844 arranged side by side and the reversible riser cards 600, 600A of the first and second riser assemblies positioned between them.The third expansion card 844A is connected to the third reversible riser card 600B as described here, with the second expansion card 844 being connected to the second reversible riser card 600A.

[0071] Fig. The diagram shows a flowchart illustrating Method 900 for assembling a stirrup bracket. It should be noted that Method 900 can be used, for example, in conjunction with the Fig. The procedure 900 begins in block 902 and continues to block 904.

[0072] In block 904, method 900 comprises mounting the reversible riser card onto a primary system board of the information processing equipment in a first mounting orientation such that a first riser connector of the reversible riser card is detachably joined to a first system board connector mounted on a face of the primary system board. In some examples, the first riser connector is positioned on a first edge of a printed circuit board of the reversible riser card. Furthermore, the reversible riser card comprises a second riser connector positioned on a second edge opposite the first edge of the printed circuit board, and a third riser connector positioned on the second edge and adjacent to the second riser connector.The first assembly orientation involves positioning the printed circuit board perpendicular to the primary system board and ensuring that one surface of the printed circuit board faces in a specific direction. Procedure 900 then proceeds to block 906.

[0073] In block 906, method 900 comprises the detachable connection of a first cable connector of a first cable to the third riser connector and of a second cable connector of the first cable to a second system board connector attached to the surface of the primary system board. Method 900 continues to block 908.

[0074] In block 908, method 900 further comprises connecting a first expansion card to the reversible riser card such that a first expansion connector of the first expansion card mates with a fourth riser connector of the reversible riser card. In some examples, a mating axis of the first expansion connector and the fourth riser connector is perpendicular to the printed circuit board. Furthermore, the fourth riser connector is surface-mounted on the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the first, second, and third riser connectors. The fourth riser connector is configured to receive power and sideband signals from the first system board connector via the first riser connector and data signals from the second system board connector via the first cable and the third riser connector.

[0075] In some examples, Method 900 further comprises separating the first expansion card from the reversible riser card, separating the first cable connector from the third riser connector, and removing the reversible riser card from the primary system board. Method 900 further comprises remounting the reversible riser card onto the primary system board in a second mounting orientation such that the second riser connector and the third riser connector are detachably connected to the first system board connector. In such examples, the second mounting orientation involves the printed circuit board being perpendicular to the primary system board, and the surface of the printed circuit board being oriented in a second direction opposite to the first.Method 900 further comprises reconnecting the first expansion card to the reversible riser card so that the first expansion connector fits with the fourth riser connector, wherein the fourth riser connector is mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the first, second and third riser connectors and is configured to receive the power and sideband signals as well as the data signals from the first system card connector of the primary system card via the second riser connector and the third riser connector, respectively.

[0076] In some examples, Method 900 further comprises connecting a second expansion card to the reversible riser card such that a second expansion connector of the second expansion card mates with a fifth riser connector of the reversible riser card. In such examples, a mating axis of the second expansion connector and the fourth riser connector is perpendicular to the printed circuit board. The fifth riser connector is located next to the first riser connector and is attached to the end face of the printed circuit board. The fifth riser connector is detachably connected to a third cable connector of a second cable, which also includes a fourth cable connector that is connected to a third system board connector mounted on the face of the primary system board, so that the fifth riser connector receives the data signals from the third system board connector via the second cable.Furthermore, the fifth riser connector is detachably connected to a fifth cable connector of a third cable, which further comprises a sixth cable connector connected to a sixth riser connector mounted on the end face of the circuit board and electrically connected to the first riser connector and the second riser connector, such that the fifth riser connector receives the power and sideband signals from the first system board connector via the first riser connector or the second riser connector, the sixth riser connector, and the third cable. Method 900 terminates in block 910.

[0077] The foregoing description includes numerous details to facilitate understanding of the subject matter disclosed herein. However, the implementation can also be carried out without some or all of these details. Other implementations may involve modifications, combinations, and variations of the details described above. The following claims are intended to cover such modifications and variations.

Claims

[1] Reversible riser card, which includes the following: a circuit board; a first riser connector located at a first edge of the printed circuit board; a second riser connector located on a second edge opposite the first edge of the printed circuit board; a third riser connector, located on the second edge and next to the second riser connector; and a fourth riser connector, which is attached to a surface of the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the first, second and third riser connectors, and is configured to mate with a first expansion connector of a first expansion card oriented perpendicular to the printed circuit board, wherein the direction-changeable riser card is configured to be interchangeably mounted on a primary system board of an information processing device in a first mounting orientation connected to the surface of the printed circuit board pointing along a first direction, and in a second mounting orientation connected to the surface of the printed circuit board pointing along a second surface of the printed circuit board pointing in the opposite direction to the first direction, wherein the printed circuit board is perpendicular to the primary system board such that: In the first mounting orientation, the first riser connector is detachably connected to a first system board connector of the primary system board, such that the fourth riser connector receives power and sideband signals from the first system board connector via the first riser connector, and the third riser connector is detachably connected to a first cable connector of a first cable, which further contains a second cable connector that is detachably connected to a second system board connector of the primary system board, such that the fourth riser connector receives data signals from the second system board connector via the first cable and the third riser connector, and In the second mounting orientation, the second and third riser connectors are detachably connected to the first system board connector, so that the fourth riser connector receives the power and sideband signals and the data signals from the first system board connector via the second riser connector or the third riser connector. [2] Reversible riser card according to claim 1, wherein each of the first, second and third riser connectors is an edge connector, the fourth riser connector is a PCI-e socket connector, the first expansion connector is a PCI-e connector, the first system card connector is a modularly expandable input-output connector (M-XIO), the second system board connector is a modularly expandable input-output socket connector, each of the first and second system board connectors is attached to a surface of the primary system board, the first cable connector is a modularly expandable input-output socket connector of the first cable, and the second cable connector is a modularly expandable input-output connector of the first cable. [3] Direction-changeable riser card according to claim 1, further comprising a fifth riser connector arranged next to one of the first or second riser connectors and attached to the surface of the printed circuit board and configured to fit with a second expansion connector of a second expansion card oriented perpendicular to the printed circuit board, wherein the first and second expansion cards are stacked vertically relative to each other. [4] The direction-changing riser card according to claim 3 further comprises a sixth riser connector which is attached to the front of the printed circuit board and is electrically connected to the first riser connector and the second riser connector. [5] Direction-changeable riser card according to claim 4, wherein the fifth riser connector is detachably connected to a third cable connector of a second cable, which further comprises a fourth cable connector that is connected to a third system board connector of the primary system board, such that the fifth riser connector receives the data signals from the third system board connector via the second cable, and wherein the fifth riser connector is further detachably connected to a fifth cable connector of a third cable, which further comprises a sixth cable connector connected to the sixth riser connector, such that the fifth riser connector receives the power and sideband signals from the first system board connector via a connection from the first riser connector or the second riser connector, the sixth riser connector and the third cable. [6] Reversible riser card according to claim 5, wherein the fifth riser connector is a PCI-e female connector, the sixth riser connector is a female connector, the second expansion connector is a PCI-e connector, the third system board connector is a modularly expandable input / output female connector mounted on a surface of the primary system board, the third cable connector is a PCI-e connector, the fourth cable connector is a modularly expandable input / output connector, the fifth cable connector is a PCI-e connector, and the sixth cable connector is a connector. [7] Information processing device with: a chassis; a primary system board coupled to the chassis and comprising a first system board connector and a second system board connector, each attached to a face of the primary system board; a cable arrangement comprising a first cable with a first cable connector and a second cable connector, the second cable connector being connected to the second system board connector; and one or more riser assemblies, each comprising a reversible riser card and a riser cage connecting the reversible riser card to the chassis, the reversible riser card comprising the following: a circuit board; a first riser connector located at a first edge of the printed circuit board; a second riser connector located on a second edge opposite the first edge of the printed circuit board; a third riser connector, which is located on the second edge and next to the second riser connector; and a fourth riser connector, which is attached to a surface of the circuit board and electrically connected to the first, second and third riser connectors, wherein respective direction-changeable riser cards of the one or more riser assemblies can be mounted on the primary system board in a first mounting orientation and a second mounting orientation, wherein the first mounting orientation associated with the printed circuit board is perpendicular to the primary system board and the surface of the printed circuit board faces along a first direction, and the second mounting orientation associated with the printed circuit board is perpendicular to the primary system board and the surface of the printed circuit board faces along a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the reversible riser card of a first riser assembly of one or more riser assemblies is mounted on the primary system board in the first mounting orientation, such that: the first riser connector is detachably connected to the first system board connector, so that the fourth riser connector receives power and sideband signals from the primary system board via the first system board connector and the first riser connector, and the third riser connector is detachably connected to the first cable connector and the second system card connector is detachably connected to the second cable connector, so that the fourth riser connector receives data signals from the primary system card via the second system card connector, the second cable connector, the first cable, the first system card connector and the third riser connector. [8] Information processing device according to claim 7, further comprising a first expansion card connected to the direction-changeable riser card of the first riser assembly, such that a first expansion port of the first expansion card matches the fourth riser port, wherein a connecting axis between the first expansion port and the fourth riser port is oriented perpendicular to the circuit board and along the second direction. [9] Information processing device according to claim 8, wherein each of the first, second and third riser connectors is an edge connector, the fourth riser connector is a PCI-e socket connector, the first expansion connector is a PCI-e connector, the first system card connector is a modularly expandable input-output connector (M-XIO), the second system board connector is a modularly expandable input-output socket connector, each of the first and second system board connectors is attached to a surface of the primary system board, the first cable connector is a modularly expandable input-output socket connector of the first cable, and the second cable connector is a modularly expandable input-output connector of the first cable. [10] Information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the direction-changeable riser card of the first riser assembly is configured such that it can be remounted on the primary system board in the second mounting orientation instead of the first mounting orientation, wherein the second mounting orientation is associated with the printed circuit board being perpendicular to the primary system board and the surface of the printed circuit board facing in the second direction, such that: The second and third riser connectors are detachably connected to the first system board connector, so that the fourth riser connector receives the power and sideband signals from the primary system board via the first system board connector and the second riser connector, and the fourth riser connector further receives the data signals from the primary system board via the first system board connector and the third riser connector. [11] Information processing device according to claim 10, wherein the reversible riser card further comprises a fifth riser connector arranged next to the first or second riser connector and attached to the surface of the printed circuit board and configured to align with a second expansion connector of a second expansion card, which is oriented perpendicular to the printed circuit board and along the first direction, in a fixed state of the reversible riser card on the primary system board in the first mounting orientation and the second mounting orientation, and wherein the first and second expansion cards are stacked vertically relative to each other. [12] Information processing device according to claim 11, wherein the direction-changeable riser card further comprises a sixth riser connector which is attached to the surface of the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the first riser connector and the second riser connector. [13] Information processing device according to claim 12, wherein the primary system board further comprises a third system board connector attached to the surface of the primary system board, and wherein the cable assembly further comprises a second cable with a third cable connector and a fourth cable connector and a third cable with a fifth cable connector and a sixth cable connector, wherein the fourth cable connector of the second cable is connected to the third system board connector and the sixth cable connector of the third cable is connected to the sixth riser connector. [14] Information processing device according to claim 13 , wherein the fifth riser connector is detachably connected to the third cable connector of the second cable, so that the fifth riser connector receives the data signals from the primary system board via the third system board connector and the second cable, and wherein the fifth riser connector is further detachably connected to the fifth cable connector of the third cable, so that the fifth riser connector further receives the power and sideband signals from the primary system board via the first system board connector, one of the first riser connectors or the second riser connector, the sixth riser connector and the third cable. [15] Information processing device according to claim 14, wherein the fifth riser connector is a PCI-e socket connector, the sixth riser connector is a socket connector, the second expansion connector is a PCI-e connector, the third system board connector is a modularly expandable input-output socket connector attached to a surface of the primary system board, the third cable connector is a PCI-e connector, the fourth cable connector is a modularly expandable input-output connector, the fifth cable connector is the PCI-e connector, and the sixth cable connector is a connector. [16] Information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the primary system board further comprises a fourth system board connector attached to the surface of the primary system board, wherein the one or more riser assemblies further comprise a second riser assembly, wherein the reversible riser card of the second riser assembly is mounted on the primary system board in the second mounting orientation such that: the second and third riser connectors are detachably connected to the fourth system board connector, so that the fourth riser connector receives the power and sideband signals from the primary system board via the fourth system board connector and the second riser connector, and the fourth riser connector further receives the data signals from the primary system board via the fourth system board connector and the third riser connector. [17] Information processing device according to claim 16, further comprising a second expansion card connected to the direction-changeable riser card of the second riser assembly, such that a second expansion port of the second expansion card aligns with the fourth riser port, wherein a connecting axis between the second expansion port and the fourth riser port is oriented perpendicular to the circuit board and along the first direction, and wherein the first and second expansion cards are coupled to the direction-changeable riser cards of the first and second riser assemblies respectively, wherein the first and second expansion cards are arranged side by side and the direction-changeable riser cards of the first and second riser assemblies are arranged between them. [18] Method for installing a reversible riser card and one or more expansion cards in an information processing device, comprising: Mounting the reversible riser card on a primary system board of the information processing device in a first mounting orientation, such that a first riser connector of the reversible riser card is detachably joined to a first system board connector mounted on a face of the primary system board, wherein the first riser connector is located at a first edge of a printed circuit board of the direction-changing riser card, wherein the direction-changing riser card further comprises a second riser connector positioned on a second edge opposite the first edge of the printed circuit board, and a third riser connector positioned on the second edge and next to the second riser connector, and wherein the first mounting orientation is associated with the printed circuit board being perpendicular to the primary system board and one surface of the printed circuit board pointing in a first direction; Detachable connection of a first cable connector of a first cable to the third riser connector and of a second cable connector of the first cable to a second system board connector attached to the surface of the primary system board; and Connecting a first expansion card to the reversible riser card, so that a first expansion port of the first expansion card fits with a fourth riser port of the reversible riser card, wherein a plug axis of the first expansion connector and the fourth riser connector runs perpendicular to the printed circuit board, wherein the fourth riser connector is attached to the surface of the printed circuit board and is electrically connected to the first, second and third riser connectors, and wherein the fourth riser connector is configured to receive power and sideband signals from the first system card connector via the first riser connector and data signals from the second system card connector via the first cable and the third riser connector. [19] The method of claim 18 further comprising: Disconnect the first expansion card from the reversible riser card, disconnect the first cable connector from the third riser connector, and remove the reversible riser card from the primary system card; Remounting the reversible riser card on the primary system board in a second mounting orientation, so that the second riser connector and the third riser connector are detachably connected to the first system board connector, wherein the second mounting orientation is associated with the printed circuit board being perpendicular to the primary system board and the surface of the printed circuit board pointing in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and Reconnecting the first expansion card to the reversible riser card so that the first expansion connector aligns with the fourth riser connector, the fourth riser connector being mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the first, second, and third riser connectors, and configured to receive the power and sideband signals and the data signals from the first system card connector of the primary system card via the second riser connector and the third riser connector, respectively. [20] The method of claim 19 further comprising: Connecting a second expansion card to the reversible riser card, so that a second expansion port of the second expansion card fits with a fifth riser port of the reversible riser card, wherein a connecting axis of the second expansion connector and the fourth riser connector runs perpendicular to the circuit board, wherein the fifth riser connector is positioned next to the first riser connector and attached to the surface of the printed circuit board, wherein the fifth riser connector is detachably connected to a third cable connector of a second cable, which further comprises a fourth cable connector connected to a third system board connector mounted on the surface of the primary system board, such that the fifth riser connector receives the data signals from the third system board connector via the second cable, and wherein the fifth riser connector is further detachably connected to a fifth cable connector of a third cable, which further comprises a sixth cable connector which is connected to a sixth riser connector which is mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the first riser connector and the second riser connector, such that the fifth riser connector receives the power and sideband signals from the first system board connector via a connection from the first riser connector or the second riser connector, the sixth riser connector and the third cable.

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