Retimer Switch Expansion Bus Device for Flexible I/O Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible computing platforms with flexible expansion bus architectures are difficult and expensive to design and implement, limiting their versatility and performance in connecting host devices to I/O devices.
Innovation Solution
An expansion bus device with a retimer switch that supports various expansion bus architectures, such as PCI, PCIe, and InfiniBand, providing signal switching, retiming, and conditioning functions, enabling flexible configurability and high-speed communication between host devices and I/O devices, including reconfigurable arrays of GPUs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional expansion bus architectures are used to connect host devices to I/O devices, then basic connectivity is achieved, but flexibility and configurability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reconfigurable expansion bus device that allows dynamic reconfiguration of connection topologies between host devices and I/O devices. The system can switch between different bus architectures (PCI, PCI-X, PCI Express, InfiniBand) and reconfigure the interconnection matrix runtime, enabling flexible adaptation to different computational scenarios without fixed hardware constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion bus device incorporates multiple interface types and protocols within a single device, allowing it to function as different types of expansion buses depending on configuration. The device can simultaneously support legacy PCI devices and modern PCI Express devices, providing universal compatibility across multiple generations and types of expansion bus architectures
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible expansion bus architectures are implemented to improve adaptability, then versatility increases, but design and implementation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate reconfiguration layer between the physical bus interfaces and the logical connection topology. This intermediary reconfiguration matrix acts as a mediator that translates high-level connectivity requirements into low-level signal routing, simplifying the design process by separating the complexity of reconfigurability from the manufacturing of individual components
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion bus device is segmented into functional modules including host interface devices, I/O interface devices, and a reconfiguration matrix. This modular segmentation allows each component to be designed and manufactured independently using standard processes, while the overall system achieves flexibility through the interconnection of these standardized modules
3Length of moving object
If host devices and I/O devices are placed close together for simplicity, then device integration is achieved, but thermal management and signal integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the reconfiguration matrix to create virtual connection paths that can route signals through alternative physical paths within the expansion bus device. This allows the system to optimize signal routing in the spatial dimension, routing signals through shorter or cooler paths depending on thermal conditions and signal integrity requirements, rather than being constrained by direct physical proximity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an expansion bus device that is communicatively coupled to a plurality of input-output devices. The expansion bus device includes a plurality of input-output slots, via which the plurality of input-output devices are coupled to the expansion bus device. The expansion bus device also includes a retimer switch communicatively connected to each of the plurality of input-output slots. The retimer switch supports switching between the plurality of input-output slots.