BIOS Configuration Storage for Network Card Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices, such as network cards, rely on expensive and limited one-time-programming E-fuse memory for configuration storage, which rapidly depletes valid bits during configuration operations and requires additional hardware, increasing costs and circuit complexity.
Innovation Solution
The method employs the BIOS to store and manage configuration information on the mainboard's existing storage medium, eliminating the need for external EEPROM or E-fuse memory by using an option read-only memory to load and update configuration data through input/output addresses, simplifying circuit design and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If E-fuse memory is used to replace EEPROM for storing configuration information, then cost is reduced, but the valid bits are rapidly depleted during configuration operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the configuration information storage function by using the BIOS chip (which contains ROM and RAM) to store configuration data instead of using E-fuse memory. The BIOS chip copies the necessary configuration space to store component configuration information, allowing multiple read operations without depleting valid bits. This copying approach maintains configuration storage reliability while enabling repeated configuration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the BIOS chip as an intermediary between the configuration operations and the E-fuse memory. The BIOS chip's configuration space acts as a mediator that stores configuration information during POST and runtime, allowing the system to perform configuration operations without directly consuming E-fuse bits. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by providing a reusable storage medium.
2Ease of manufacture
If E-fuse memory is used to store configuration information, then EEPROM can be replaced, but the cost remains higher compared to using mainboard storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration storage function with the existing BIOS chip on the mainboard. By combining the configuration space within the BIOS chip (which already contains ROM for BIOS code and RAM for runtime data), the system eliminates the need for separate E-fuse memory or EEPROM components. This merging approach reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining full configuration storage capability through the unified BIOS storage structure.
3Reliability
If additional hardware is added to enable configuration storage, then storage capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the BIOS chip multi-functional by having it perform both its traditional BIOS code storage function and configuration information storage function. The BIOS chip's existing ROM and RAM are utilized to create a configuration space that can store component configuration information. This universal approach allows the same hardware component to serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for additional dedicated configuration storage hardware and reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an electronic device, a configurable component and a configuration information storage method thereof, which are employed for meeting the storage requirements of the configuration information for the configurable component of the electronic device. The method comprises that: obtaining the initial configuration information for the component of the electronic device (S110); employing the initial configuration information as the default configuration information for the component and compiling it into the Basis Input Output System (BIOS) of the electronic device (S120); when the device is powered on, the BIOS stores the default configuration information into the storage medium of the mainboard of the electronic device (S130). Compared with the prior art, the storing and loading of configuration parameters are controlled and implemented by the BIOS without special EEPROM or E-fuse memory, so there is no need to add other hardware additionally and the cost is reduced.