SGPIO Stream Combination for Storage Backplane Status Indicators

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Designing and manufacturing storage backplanes that can handle multiple types of mass storage devices and interfaces is complex due to differences in how SAS and SATA devices provide activity status information, leading to the need for multiple implementations, which is costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A single storage backplane that combines multiple SGPIO streams and device-provided signals to drive status indicators, such as LEDs, for mass storage device activity, failure, location, and rebuild status, regardless of the interface type, by prioritizing data from SGPIO interfaces and device activity signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple storage backplane implementations are designed to support different mass storage device types and interfaces, then compatibility with various devices is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various mass storage devicesVSAvoidcomplexity of storage backplane design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage backplane is designed with a universal interface that can handle both SAS and SATA devices through a common architecture. The backplane includes multiple SGPIO interfaces and activity status indicators that can work with different device types, eliminating the need for separate specialized implementations for each device type while maintaining full compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple SGPIO interfaces and their corresponding activity status indicators into a single unified backplane design. By merging the functionality of handling SAS devices (through SGPIO) and SATA devices (through activity status indicators) into one platform, the system achieves multi-device support without requiring separate backplane implementations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple storage backplane implementations are manufactured for different device configurations, then support for specific device types is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for specific device typesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal backplane design supports both SAS and SATA devices, eliminating the need to manufacture separate backplane versions for different device types. This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to support specific device types through the unified interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The backplane uses a homogeneous design approach where the same physical and electrical interface structure is used for all device types. This standardization allows for simplified manufacturing processes, reduced inventory requirements, and lower production costs compared to maintaining multiple specialized implementations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Reliability

If separate handling methods are used for SAS and SATA device status indicators, then device-specific performance is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of device status indicationVSAvoidcomplexity of status indicator handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backplane incorporates intermediary circuitry that translates and normalizes status indicators from different device types (SAS SGPIO signals and SATA activity status signals) into a unified format. This intermediary layer maintains accurate device-specific status indication while simplifying the overall system architecture by providing a common handling mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8078770B1Combining multiple SGPIO streams to provide device status indicators

Publication Date: 2011.12.13 AMERICAN MEGATRENDS

AI summary

Technologies are described herein for combining multiple SGPIO streams to provide a single mass storage device activity indicator. Device activity data indicating whether a mass storage device is active may be received on a first interface, such as an SGPIO interface. Device activity data indicating whether the mass storage device is active may also be received on a second interface, such as a second SGPIO interface. An activity signal may also be received from the mass storage device itself. An activity indicator is provided when either data received on the first interface, data received on the second interface, or the activity signal received from the mass storage device indicates that the mass storage device is active. Status data regarding the failure, rebuild status, and location of a mass storage device received on multiple interfaces may also be combined to drive a single indicator.