Multi-Protocol Storage Adapter Circuit for Flexible Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern computer systems require separate infrastructures to support different storage protocols, limiting flexibility and necessitating a common infrastructure that can support multiple protocols.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a storage motherboard featuring multiple storage interface connectors, adapter connectors, and cable connectors, along with storage adapter circuits that can support various storage interfaces and host interfaces, including protocol translation and routing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate infrastructures are used to support different storage protocols, then each protocol can be supported with dedicated optimized components, but the overall system flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal storage interface infrastructure that can support multiple storage protocols (SATA, SAS, Fibre Channel, NVLink, USB) through a common physical and logical architecture. The motherboard includes unified connectors and routing circuits that can accommodate different protocol requirements, allowing a single system to adapt to various storage devices without requiring separate dedicated infrastructures for each protocol type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple storage adapter circuits with different interfaces are integrated into a common infrastructure, then system adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage interface functionality into separate storage adapter circuits, where each adapter circuit is responsible for a specific storage interface protocol. These modular adapter circuits can be independently designed, managed, and replaced. The segmentation allows complex multi-protocol support to be achieved through composition of simpler, specialized components rather than requiring a single monolithic complex interface controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces routing circuits as intermediary components that manage communication between different storage adapter circuits and the host system. The routing circuits act as mediators that direct data paths, manage signal routing, and coordinate interactions between multiple protocols, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual adapter circuits and the overall system architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol translation capabilities are added to enable seamless multi-protocol support, then system compatibility improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines protocol translation functionality directly into the storage adapter circuits and routing circuits, merging multiple functions (protocol handling, signal conditioning, path routing) into integrated circuit components. This consolidation reduces the need for separate translation devices or software layers, simplifying the overall system architecture and potentially reducing manufacturing complexity compared to implementing protocol translation through multiple separate components or complex software solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible storage system. A storage motherboard accommodates, on a suitable connector, a storage adapter circuit that provides protocol translation between a host bus interface and a storage interface, and that provides routing, to accommodate a plurality of mass storage devices that may be connected to the storage adapter circuit through the storage motherboard. The storage adapter circuit may be replaced with a circuit supporting a different host interface or a different storage interface.