Memory Card Access Module PCIe Lane Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in supporting both modern PCIe memory cards and old-fashioned SD memory cards in electronic devices without sacrificing peripheral support, as the limited PCIe lanes in processing units lead to degraded data transmission performance and potential access errors due to the need for multiple data transmission paths and user inconvenience in card identification.
Innovation Solution
A memory card access module and method that includes a selection unit, data transmission paths, a PCIe data transmission path, and a control unit to determine the type of memory card, connecting through PCIe for compatible cards and through a data transmission path for non-compatible cards, enabling efficient interface sharing and reducing PCIe lane usage, while enhancing signal transmission and reducing access errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PCIe lanes are allocated to both SD memory cards and PCIe memory cards, then both types of memory cards can be supported, but the number of available PCIe lanes for other peripherals is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between SD interface mode and PCIe interface mode based on the inserted memory card type. The memory card access unit can operate in either mode, allowing the same physical interface to serve different protocol requirements without dedicating separate PCIe lanes for each card type.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory card access unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both SD memory cards (through SD interface with data format conversion) and PCIe memory cards (through direct PCIe interface). This universal design allows a single interface to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If PCIe lanes are allocated to SD memory cards through memory card access unit, then SD cards can be supported, but PCIe memory cards cannot be directly accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on the detected memory card type. When a PCIe memory card is detected, the system switches to direct PCIe access mode, bypassing the memory card access unit's data format conversion function and enabling high-speed direct access. When an SD memory card is detected, the system uses the memory card access unit for data format conversion.
3Reliability
If users must identify memory card type before insertion, then proper connection can be established, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the inserted memory card type and configures the appropriate connection mode without requiring user intervention. The control unit detects whether the memory card supports PCIe interface and automatically controls the selection unit to choose the correct data transmission path, making the identification process transparent to the user.
4Productivity
If direct PCIe access is used for PCIe memory cards, then data transmission performance is improved, but contact reliability may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The selection unit acts as an intermediary that routes PCIe memory card connections through the appropriate data transmission path. While direct PCIe access provides high performance, the selection unit ensures proper signal routing and connection management, maintaining both performance and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory card access module and a memory card access method are provided. The memory card access method is applied to an electronic device. A processing unit of the electronic device accesses a memory card through a memory card slot. The method includes steps of: detecting whether the memory card supports a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface; when the memory card does not support the PCIe interface, controlling the processing unit to access the memory card through a data transmission path and performing data format conversion between a transmission interface and the PCIe interface using a memory card access unit disposed on the data transmission path; and when the memory card supports the PCIe interface, controlling the processing unit to access the memory card through a PCIe data transmission path that allows the processing unit and the memory card to transmit data through the PCIe interface.