PCIe Cable Connection Verification System
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional RAID apparatuses, direct cabling between PCIe devices without a controller device increases production costs and reduces performance, and there is a need to determine proper device connections.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a controlling apparatus and a communication apparatus connected through cables, featuring a gathering unit for identifiers and a connection normality determining unit that compares identifiers to ensure proper connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a controller device is provided to convert PCIe to cable buses, then device compatibility is improved, but production costs increase and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conversion function from a separate controller device and integrates it directly into the PCIe device itself. The PCIe device now includes both PCIe interface circuits and cable bus interface circuits, eliminating the need for external conversion controllers and reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the PCIe interface functionality and cable bus interface functionality into a single integrated PCIe device. This combination allows the device to directly support both PCIe and cable bus protocols without requiring separate conversion hardware, thereby reducing production costs and improving performance.
2Device complexity
If direct cabling between PCIe devices is implemented, then production costs are reduced and performance is improved, but connection reliability becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs connection verification in advance by having the PCIe device send a verification signal through the communication cable to the cable bus device, and checking whether the signal is properly received. This preliminary action ensures connection reliability before normal operations begin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the PCIe device transmits a verification signal and receives confirmation from the cable bus device to determine whether the connection is proper. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that connection issues are detected and can be addressed, maintaining system reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes a communication apparatus comprising a plurality of first connectors; a controlling apparatus that comprises a plurality of second connectors; a first gathering unit that gathers first identifiers for the respective communication cables coupled to the plurality of first connectors of the communication apparatus; a second gathering unit that gathers second identifiers for the respective communication cables coupled to the plurality of second connectors of the controlling apparatus; and a connection normality determining unit that determines whether or not the communication cables that connect between the controlling apparatus and the communication apparatus are connected properly, by comparing the first identifiers with the second identifiers.