Repeater Amplifiers for I/O Expansion in Storage Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing storage system assemblies require complex and resource-intensive PCI-Express switches for expandability, which increase costs and consume additional resources.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using repeater amplifiers for electrical regeneration of high-speed binary data signals, eliminating the need for complex switch devices by directly connecting storage processors to I/O modules through high-speed serial data links and a midplane circuit board, allowing for I/O expansion without the overhead of a PCI-Express switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a PCI-Express switch is used to provide I/O expandability, then I/O interconnect expandability is improved, but device complexity increases and system resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces repeater amplifiers as intermediary devices on the PCI-Express links between the storage processor and I/O modules. These repeaters regenerate and amplify the high-speed serial data signals, enabling longer transmission distances and additional I/O modules without requiring a complex PCI-Express switch. The repeaters act as signal mediators that extend the reach of existing links while keeping the overall system architecture simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the PCI-Express link into multiple sections with repeater amplifiers placed at intermediate points. This segmentation allows the signal to be regenerated and retransmitted over longer distances, enabling I/O expansion without consolidating all routing logic into a single complex switch device. Each segment can independently transmit data, distributing the functional load across multiple simpler components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a PCI-Express switch is used for I/O expansion, then I/O interconnect expandability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs repeater amplifiers that are significantly less expensive than PCI-Express switch devices. These repeaters are simple signal regeneration components that can be implemented as discrete devices or integrated circuits, whereas a full PCI-Express switch requires complex routing logic and memory resources. By substituting expensive switch infrastructure with inexpensive repeater amplifiers, the system achieves I/O expansion at a fraction of the cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a PCI-Express switch is used for I/O expansion, then I/O interconnect expandability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal regeneration function from the complex PCI-Express switch and implements it separately using dedicated repeater amplifiers. This extraction allows the main switch (or in this case, the storage processor) to operate without the additional power burden of handling extended routing logic. The repeaters consume minimal power compared to a full switch, as they only perform analog signal amplification rather than complex digital packet switching and address decoding.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides expandability of I/O interconnects while reducing resource consumption and costs, maintaining signal integrity over longer distances without the need for complex switch devices.
Implementation Method 1
The repeater amplifiers perform electrical regeneration of high-speed binary data signals between the third and fourth circuit traces
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system assembly includes a storage processor (SP) module and an input/output (I/O) expansion module disposed between an and opening of an enclosure and a midplane circuit board. The SP module includes (i) a storage processor, (ii) first I/O interface modules at the end opening, and (iii) circuit traces of high-speed serial data links, the circuit traces including first circuit traces interconnecting the storage processor with the first I/O interface modules, and second circuit traces interconnecting the storage processor with the circuit traces of the midplane. The I/O expansion module includes (i) second I/O interface modules at the end opening of the enclosure, (ii) a set of repeater amplifiers, and (iii) circuit traces of the high-speed serial data links, the circuit traces including third circuit traces interconnect the repeater amplifiers with the second I/O interface modules, and fourth circuit traces interconnect the repeater amplifiers with circuit traces of the midplane, such that the second, third and fourth circuit traces along with the circuit traces of the midplane interconnect the storage processor with the second I/O interface modules via the repeater amplifiers. The repeater amplifiers perform electrical regeneration of high-speed binary data signals between the third and fourth circuit traces.