Universal Storage Bus Adaptor Bypassing Exception Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage solutions require separate transport layers for each type of storage device, leading to inefficiencies and increased processor load due to the need for software drivers to manage interactions, especially for frequent READ/WRITE operations.

Innovation Solution

A universal storage bus adaptor that bypasses exception processing and management functionalities, enabling direct interface between a host computer's bus and multiple storage devices using a standardized read/write chimney, thereby reducing the need for separate transport layers and shifting processing burdens to hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate transport layers are provided for each type of storage device, then device compatibility is improved, but system complexity and processor load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal storage bus adaptor that provides a single standardized interface to connect to multiple types of storage devices (SATA, SAS, SCSI, IDE). The adaptor includes a translation layer that converts between the universal interface protocol and various storage device protocols, eliminating the need for separate transport layers for each device type while maintaining full compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage bus adaptor serves as an intermediary device between the host computer bus and storage devices. It includes a translation layer that mediates communication by converting commands and data formats between the universal interface protocol and specific storage device protocols, thereby enabling compatibility without increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If software drivers are used to manage storage device interactions, then device control flexibility is improved, but processor load and READ/WRITE latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice control flexibilityVSAvoidREAD/WRITE latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based driver control with hardware-based direct interface control. The storage bus adaptor includes hardware circuits that directly manage READ/WRITE operations between the host bus and storage devices without requiring processor intervention. This substitution of software control with hardware control eliminates driver overhead and reduces processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the data transfer control functionality from the processor and relocates it to the storage bus adaptor hardware. By removing the software driver layer and implementing direct hardware interfaces, the system eliminates the time-consuming software mediation while maintaining control flexibility through hardware-based command queues and buffer management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple storage devices are connected through separate interfaces, then device connectivity is improved, but host processor workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoidhost processor workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple storage device interfaces into a single universal storage bus adaptor that connects to the host computer bus through one standardized interface. The adaptor internally manages connections to multiple storage devices (SATA, SAS, SCSI, IDE) and consolidates their communication protocols, allowing the host processor to interact with all devices through a single unified interface rather than multiple separate interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8402171B1Host bus adapter that interfaces with host computer bus to multiple types of storage devices

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 NVIDIA CORP

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention provides a universal storage bus adaptor that can interface a host computer's bus to any of multiple types of storage devices. The universal serial bus adaptor provides transport layer functionality in such a way that a separate transport layer does not have to be provided for each type of storage device. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a file management system (or storage stack) that has a read/write chimney configured to enable a READ/WRITE operation to bypass the exception processing and management functionalities of the file management system. Bypassing these functionalities increases the processing efficiency of READ/WRITE operations.