Adapter Card Aggregating PCIe Lanes for Remote Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer modules, such as COM Express, often have underpowered CPUs that fail to meet user demands for performance, requiring users to wait for new modules with more advanced processors, and these modules typically have fewer cores and less cache compared to server processors.
Innovation Solution
An adapter card with a computer module form factor is used, which aggregates PCIe lanes and employs a transceiver to establish a communication link with a remote processor device, such as a multi-Xeon server, providing increased processing power to the circuit board, using optical or copper links to connect the adapter card to the external processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a computer module with an integrated CPU is used, then the device provides basic computing functionality, but the CPU is underpowered and cannot meet user performance demands
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional parts: a remote processor device that provides the powerful CPU resources and a local adapter card that provides the form factor and interface. This segmentation allows the computing functionality to be separated from the physical form factor, enabling the use of powerful server-grade processors while maintaining the compact module appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter card acts as an intermediary between the remote processor device and the local circuit board. It aggregates PCIe lanes and uses a transceiver to establish communication links, serving as a mediator that transfers processing power and data from the remote location to the local system without requiring the remote device to be physically present.
2Power
If a computer module with fewer CPU cores and less cache is used, then the device remains compact and cost-effective, but the processing performance is insufficient for demanding applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system moves the processor from the same physical dimension (integrated on the module board) to a different dimension (remote location connected via communication link). This spatial separation allows the remote processor to have many more cores and larger cache without increasing the physical complexity or size of the local module.
3Power
If the adapter card aggregates multiple PCIe lanes through a switch, then the bandwidth and processing capability are increased, but the device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple PCIe lanes are merged into a single aggregated connection through a switch component. This combining approach consolidates multiple parallel data paths into one unified communication channel, increasing the effective bandwidth while using a single transceiver pair for the remote connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a circuit board with a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (“PCIe”) backplane. The backplane is configured to receive processing power from a computer module. An adapter card having a computer module form factor is coupled to the PCIe backplane instead of the computer module. The adapter card includes a switch that aggregates one or more PCIe lanes and a transceiver. A communication link couples the transceiver to a remote processor device, which provides processing power to the circuit board.