Multipurpose Adapter Card Function Switching via PCIe Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PCIe adapter cards are limited to specific purposes and lack the capability to perform both host-to-host interconnect networking and extended connections to external devices using a single card.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose adapter card with a PCIe switching module that changes its function based on register values or preconfigured signals, enabling both host-to-device and host-to-host connections through a single card, utilizing a combination of EEPROM and DIP switches for setting and switching functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single PCIe adapter card is designed to support multiple functions (host-to-host interconnect networking and host-to-device connection), then versatility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter card is designed with a PCIe switching module that can operate in multiple modes: host-to-host interconnect networking mode and host-to-device connection mode. This multi-functionality allows a single adapter card to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized cards, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity through the use of a reconfigurable switching architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter card incorporates dynamic reconfiguration capability through the PCIe switching module, which can change its operational function based on detected register values or received function change signals. This dynamic adaptability allows the same hardware to serve different purposes at different times, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity by using a single dynamic component rather than multiple static components
2Device complexity
If separate adapter cards are used for different functions (interconnect networking and device expansion), then device complexity is reduced, but the quantity of devices and cabling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple separate adapter cards (interconnect networking card and device expansion card) into a single unified adapter card. The PCIe switching module integrates both host-to-host and host-to-device connection capabilities within one physical card, reducing the total quantity of adapter cards needed in the system while maintaining all required functions
Solution Approach 2:
By designing a universal adapter card that can perform both interconnect networking and device expansion functions, the system reduces the number of specialized components required. The single adapter card replaces multiple function-specific cards, directly addressing the contradiction between device complexity and quantity of devices
3Reliability
If multiple separate adapter cards are deployed for different purposes, then functional specificity is improved, but ease of operation and cabling simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple connection functions into a single adapter card with a unified interface. This merging reduces the number of separate cables and connections needed, as one adapter card can handle both interconnect networking and device expansion through its integrated PCIe switching module, thereby improving ease of operation and cabling simplicity while maintaining functional specificity through software-controlled mode switching
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a multipurpose adapter card including a PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect express) switching module configured to set a function of the multipurpose adapter card; a first function setting module configured to transmit information on a register value to be referred to by the PCIe switching module to the PCIe switching module; and a second function setting module configured to transmit a function change signal corresponding to preconfigured information to the PCIe switching module, wherein the function of the multipurpose adapter card is extended connection between a host and an external device or connection between a plurality of hosts, wherein the information on the register value and the preconfigured information are information on the function of the multipurpose adapter card, wherein the PCIe switching module changes the function of the multipurpose adapter card based on the information on the register value or the function change signal.