PCI-E Hot-Plug Control via Software Bridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing PCI-E hot-plug technology is limited to computer devices with specialized Intel-produced PCI-E hot-plug control chips, restricting its application to devices from other manufacturers like AMD, and faces bandwidth bottlenecks due to high occupancy by network cards, limiting the addition of other peripheral devices.
Innovation Solution
A software-based hot-plug control system and method that simulates interconnection procedures for PCI-E hot-plug technology, using a signal control module, detection module, control module, and drive module to manage power and driver loading for PCI-E slots, allowing universal application across different hardware specifications without requiring a specialized control chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PCI-E hot-plug technology uses specialized Intel control chips, then hot-plug functionality is achieved, but device compatibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a PCI bridge device as an intermediary component that mediates between the PCI-E slot and the system bus. This bridge device includes a control unit that manages hot-plug operations, power control, and signal routing, enabling universal hot-plug functionality without requiring specialized Intel control chips in all systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCI bridge device is designed with multi-functional capabilities including hot-plug control, power management, signal conversion, and device detection. This universal design allows the same bridge device to support hot-plug operations across different computer device architectures and manufacturers, eliminating the need for manufacturer-specific control chips.
2Adaptability or versatility
If PCI bus bandwidth is shared with network cards, then network functionality is provided, but available bandwidth for other devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth allocation by introducing a PCI bridge device that creates separate communication paths. The PCI-E slot connects to the PCI bridge, which then connects to the system bus, allowing dedicated high-speed PCI-E bandwidth for hot-plug devices while maintaining separate PCI bandwidth for network cards and other peripherals.
Data Source
AI summary
A hot-plug control system and method is applied to a computer device, wherein the computer device is provided with a PCI-E (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) bus, at least one PCI-E slot having a power switch and an indicator light, a power control unit and a driver. The hot-plug control system at least includes a signal control module for generating an interrupt signal; a detection module for detecting the status of the PCI-E slot and the power switch corresponding to the PCI-E slot in response to the interrupt signal; a control module for allowing power to be provided to the PCI-E slot and the indicator light corresponding to the PCI-E slot to be illuminated when the detection module detects that a new expansion card has been inserted in the PCI-E slot and the corresponding power switch has been actuated; and a drive module for loading the driver to drive the inserted expansion card. According to the present invention, the PCI-E hot-plug function could be achieved in different kinds of computer devices.