PCIe Tunneling Over Multi-Protocol I/O Interconnect

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computer platforms are limited by protocol-specific I/O connections, which restrict compatibility and bandwidth usage, as they require protocol-specific connectors and cables for each type of peripheral device, leading to inflexibility and reduced efficiency in handling multiple protocols simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A multi-protocol I/O interconnect architecture that employs a switching fabric with cross-bar switches and a connection manager to enable multiple protocols (such as PCIe, USB, and DisplayPort) to be carried over a single physical connection, using a non-protocol-specific connector port, allowing for transparent tunneling of protocols and simultaneous bandwidth usage in both directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If protocol-specific connection interfaces are used for each peripheral device type, then device compatibility is ensured, but the number of connectors and cables increases, reducing system flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidnumber of connectors and cables

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal I/O interconnect interface that can support multiple protocols (PCIe, USB, DisplayPort, HDMI) through a single physical connector. The switching fabric routes different protocol traffic through the same physical infrastructure, allowing one connector to serve multiple device types without requiring separate protocol-specific connectors for each peripheral device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a switching fabric as an intermediary component between the host controller and peripheral devices. This switching fabric acts as a mediator that translates and routes different protocol types through a common physical infrastructure, enabling protocol diversity without requiring dedicated physical paths for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If protocol-specific connection interfaces are used for each peripheral device type, then protocol compatibility is ensured, but bandwidth usage efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidbandwidth usage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple protocol traffic streams into a single physical I/O interconnect infrastructure. The switching fabric combines PCIe, USB, DisplayPort, and HDMI traffic onto one shared physical path, eliminating the need for separate dedicated bandwidth channels for each protocol and thereby improving overall bandwidth usage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-to-one mapping between protocols and physical connections to a many-to-one mapping. By adding the dimension of protocol translation and routing through the switching fabric, multiple protocols can share the same physical dimension (connector and cable) without interfering with each other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single physical connector supports multiple protocols, then system flexibility is improved, but the complexity of the I/O interconnect architecture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidI/O interconnect architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the I/O interconnect architecture into distinct functional components: host controllers for different protocols, a central switching fabric for routing, and protocol translation mechanisms. This segmentation allows the complex functionality of supporting multiple protocols to be distributed across manageable components rather than concentrated in a single complex interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching fabric serves as an intermediary layer that manages the complexity of protocol translation and routing. By placing this mediation function in a dedicated component, the patent isolates the complexity from the physical connector and cable interfaces, allowing those simpler components to maintain their flexibility while the switching fabric handles the architectural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10884965B2PCI express tunneling over a multi-protocol I/O interconnect

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 TAHOE RES LTD

AI summary

Described are embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems for PCIe tunneling across a multi-protocol I/O interconnect of a computer apparatus. A method for PCIe tunneling across the multi-protocol I/O interconnect may include establishing a first communication path between ports of a switching fabric of a multi-protocol I/O interconnect of a computer apparatus in response to a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) device being connected to the computer apparatus, and establishing a second communication path between the switching fabric and a PCIe controller. The method may further include routing, by the multi-protocol I/O interconnect, PCIe protocol packets of the PCIe device from the PCIe device to the PCIe controller over the first and second communication paths. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.