Dynamic Chipset Configuration Descriptor Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems face challenges in generating a configuration descriptor for chipsets that is adaptable across different platforms and situations, as static built-in chipset tables are not suitable for initializing chipsets on various platforms or updating port configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system to generate a dynamic chipset configuration descriptor by receiving desired interface configurations, determining suitable ports and platform connectors, and assigning them to create a configuration descriptor that can initialize the chipset dynamically based on chipset and platform descriptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a static built-in chipset table is used to initialize the chipset, then the chipset can be initialized with a fixed configuration, but the configuration cannot be adapted to different platforms or updated dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static chipset configuration table into a dynamic configuration system. The BIOS generates configuration descriptors at runtime by querying the chipset about its actual capabilities and available ports, then matches these with desired interface configurations. This allows the same firmware to adapt to different platforms and chipset variations without requiring firmware updates, resolving the contradiction between initialization reliability and platform adaptability.
2Device complexity
If a static built-in chipset table is used, then the firmware remains simple and fixed, but the port configurations cannot be updated or changed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by having the BIOS automatically generate configuration descriptors through runtime queries to the chipset. The chipset itself provides information about its capabilities and available ports, and the BIOS uses this information to create appropriate configurations without human intervention or firmware updates. This maintains firmware simplicity while achieving configuration flexibility through automated runtime adaptation.
3Manufacturing precision
If platform-specific static configurations are used, then each platform can be optimized, but the same firmware cannot be used across different platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal configuration descriptor generation mechanism that works across different platforms. The BIOS uses a standardized process of querying the chipset about its capabilities and matching them with desired configurations. This single universal approach replaces the need for multiple platform-specific static configuration tables, allowing the same firmware to be deployed across diverse platforms while maintaining optimal configuration for each platform through runtime adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided to generate a configuration descriptor for a chipset in a computing unit. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, a plurality of desired interface configurations for the chipset and for each of the one or more desired interface configurations, determining one or more ports of the chipset and corresponding platform connectors that satisfy features of the each of the one or more of the desired interface configurations based on a chipset description and a platform description. The method further includes assigning a port from among the determined one or more ports to the each of the one or more of the desired interface configurations and generating a chipset configuration descriptor based on the assigning of ports to each of the one or more desired interface configurations. In some embodiments, the chipset is initialized based on the configuration descriptor.