Single SGPIO Decoder for Backplane Controller Channel Multiplexing

Solution Overview

Problem

Current backplane controllers require multiple SGPIO channels to manage eight storage drives, increasing hardware complexity and cost, as they typically need one SGPIO decoder per channel, which is inefficient for managing multiple drives.

Innovation Solution

A backplane controller design that uses one SGPIO decoder to handle two SGPIO channels by alternating the decoding process between the channels based on a clock signal, reducing the need for multiple decoders and simplifying the hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SGPIO decoders are used to manage multiple storage drives, then the management capability increases, but the hardware complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple SGPIO decoders into a single shared decoder. The controller uses one SGPIO decoder to handle multiple SGPIO channels by time-division multiplexing, where the decoder is alternately assigned to different channels based on clock cycles. This combining approach reduces the number of decoder components needed while maintaining the ability to manage multiple storage drives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single SGPIO decoder is designed to perform multiple functions by serving different SGPIO channels at different times. The decoder is configured to decode signals for the first SGPIO channel during odd clock cycles and for the second SGPIO channel during even clock cycles, making it a universal component that handles multiple management tasks rather than being dedicated to a single channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SGPIO decoders are used to manage multiple storage drives, then the management capability increases, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple SGPIO decoders into a single shared decoder. The controller uses one SGPIO decoder to handle multiple SGPIO channels by time-division multiplexing, where the decoder is alternately assigned to different channels based on clock cycles. This combining approach reduces the number of decoder components needed while maintaining the ability to manage multiple storage drives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single SGPIO decoder is designed to perform multiple functions by serving different SGPIO channels at different times. The decoder is configured to decode signals for the first SGPIO channel during odd clock cycles and for the second SGPIO channel during even clock cycles, making it a universal component that handles multiple management tasks rather than being dedicated to a single channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If one SGPIO decoder is shared between two SGPIO channels, then hardware complexity is reduced, but the communication efficiency may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware complexityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by alternating the use of the single SGPIO decoder between two channels in a regular pattern. The decoder operates on the first SGPIO channel during odd clock cycles and switches to the second channel during even clock cycles. This periodic switching ensures that both channels receive regular attention while maintaining a predictable and manageable communication rhythm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically assigns the single SGPIO decoder to different channels based on the current clock cycle. The decoder's functionality is not fixed to a single channel but changes dynamically over time, allowing flexible resource allocation and optimizing the use of the limited decoder hardware while maintaining communication with multiple channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9507744B2Handling two SGPIO channels using single SGPIO decoder on a backplane controller

Publication Date: 2016.11.29 AMERICAN MEGATRENDS

AI summary

An aspect of present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for handling two SGPIO channels by using one SGPIO decoder. The method includes: (a) establishing communication between a backplane controller and a host computer through HBA, (b) receiving control commands and control data for monitoring and controlling a first and a second group of drive slots, (c) checking a clock signal having a first time period and a second time period, (d) forwarding the control commands and control data for the first group to the first group of drive slots during first time period, and forwarding the control commands and control data for the second group to the second group of drive slots during second time period, (e) receiving responses from first and second group of drive slots, respectively, and (f) sending the responses from first and second group of drive slots to the host computer.