Backplane Controller Pin Sharing for Drive Type Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern backplane systems in data centers, which combine Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)/Serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drives and Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) solid-state drives, require an efficient method to manage storage drives using limited pins on the controller, as existing solutions necessitate numerous pins for effective drive management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where each analog pin on the controller is connected to two storage drives via detecting circuits, allowing the controller to determine the drive type based on received voltages, reducing the number of pins required by allowing two drives to share a pin for detection, using resistor configurations to differentiate between SATA/SAS and NVMe drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each storage drive is connected to the controller via dedicated pins for drive type detection, then the reliability of drive management is improved, but the number of pins required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection functions for two storage drives into a single shared pin. The detecting circuit uses voltage division with resistors to detect the drive types (SATA/SAS or NVMe) of two drives simultaneously through one pin, thereby reducing the total number of pins required while maintaining reliable drive management
Solution Approach 2:
Each pin on the controller is designed to serve multiple functions: it can detect the presence of drives, determine drive types (SATA/SAS or NVMe), and identify drive positions. This multi-functionality allows the controller to manage multiple drives with fewer pins, resolving the contradiction between pin quantity and management reliability
2Productivity
If the number of storage drives is increased in the backplane system, then the productivity of the storage system is improved, but the number of pins required for detection increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection capabilities for multiple drives into shared detecting circuits. Each detecting circuit can handle two drives through voltage division, allowing the system to scale storage capacity without a proportional increase in pin count, thus improving productivity while controlling pin requirements
3Measurement precision
If separate detection circuits are used for each storage drive, then the measurement precision of drive type detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different resistor values in the detecting circuit to create distinct voltage division ratios for different drive types. SATA/SAS drives with grounded PRSNT# pins produce one voltage level, while NVMe drives with floating PRSNT# pins produce another, enabling accurate local differentiation of drive types through voltage measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting circuit is designed as a universal module that can detect multiple drive types (SATA/SAS and NVMe) and multiple drive positions simultaneously through a single pin. This universal design reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate detection circuits for each drive while maintaining measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the total number of pins needed for drive type detection, efficiently managing a larger number of storage drives with fewer pins, thereby optimizing pin utilization in backplane and enclosure management systems.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by the controller, a voltage from each of the N analog pins; and determining, by the controller, the drive type of each of the two of the 2*N storage drives based on the voltage received from each of the N analog pins
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for detecting types of storage drives connected to a controller, which performs backplane or enclosure management. The controller has multiple pins, which includes N analog pins, such as the PRSNT# pins. Each of the N analog pins is electrically connected to a corresponding detecting circuits. Further, 2*N storage drives may be connected to and controlled by the controller in a way such that each analog pin may be connected to two storage drives via a corresponding detecting circuit for detecting a drive type of each storage drive. Each storage drive may be a SATA/SAS storage drive, or a NVMe storage drive. In operation, the controller receives a voltage from each of the N analog pins, and determines the drive type of each of the two of the 2*N storage drives based on the voltage received from each of the N analog pins.