Multiple drive controller
First Claim
1. A drive controller for controlling a plurality of disk drives, the drive controller comprising:
- a physical interface circuit, the physical interface circuit configured for coupling to a bus;
a plurality of serial interface engines coupled to the physical interface circuit;
a buffer coupled to each of the plurality of interface circuits; and
an interface controller, wherein the interface controller is configured for coupling to the plurality of disk drives, and wherein the interface controller is further configured for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of disk drives.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive controller for controlling multiple disk drives is disclosed. In one embodiment, the drive controller includes a physical interface circuit configured for coupling to a peripheral bus. A plurality of serial interface engines may be coupled to the physical interface circuit. A buffer may be coupled to each of the plurality of serial interface engines and an interface controller. The interface controller may be configured for coupling to a plurality of disk drives. Since the drive controller includes only a single physical interface circuit, a single buffer, and a single interface controller, its complexity is reduced to near that of a single drive controller while being capable for simultaneously providing interfaces for each of a plurality of disk drives.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A drive controller for controlling a plurality of disk drives, the drive controller comprising:
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a physical interface circuit, the physical interface circuit configured for coupling to a bus;
a plurality of serial interface engines coupled to the physical interface circuit;
a buffer coupled to each of the plurality of interface circuits; and
an interface controller, wherein the interface controller is configured for coupling to the plurality of disk drives, and wherein the interface controller is further configured for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of disk drives. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer system comprising:
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a bus controller;
a peripheral bus coupled to the bus controller; and
a drive controller coupled to the peripheral bus;
wherein the drive controller includes;
a physical interface circuit, the physical interface circuit coupled to the peripheral bus;
a plurality of serial interface engines coupled to the physical interface circuit;
a buffer coupled to each of the plurality of interface circuits; and
an interface controller, wherein the interface controller is configured for coupling to a plurality of disk drives, and wherein the interface controller is further configured for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of disk drives. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A docking station comprising:
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a peripheral bus, wherein the peripheral bus is configured for coupling to a peripheral bus controller in a portable computer when the portable computer is coupled to the docking station; and
a drive controller, the drive controller including;
a physical interface circuit, the physical interface circuit coupled to the peripheral bus;
a plurality of serial interface engines coupled to the physical interface circuit;
a buffer coupled to each of the plurality of interface circuits; and
an interface controller, wherein the interface controller is configured for coupling to a plurality of disk drives. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification