MULTIPLE MODULE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING DIFFERENTIAL SIGNAL CHANNEL COMPRISING UNDIRECTIONAL SERIAL BIT CHANNELS

• US 20100174844A1
• Filed: 07/16/2009
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acqis LLC (Acqis Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Acqis LLC (Acqis Technology, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chu, William W. Y.
• Granted Patent: US 8,041,873 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/313
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/08 Clock generators with changeable or programmable clock frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/12 Synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality of clock generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/20 for access to input/output bus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4027 using bus bridges G06F13/4022 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4068 Electrical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/42 Bus transfer protocol, e.g. handshake; Synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4221 being an input/output bus, e.g. ISA bus, EISA bus, PCI bus, SCSI bus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4282 on a serial bus, e.g. I2C bus, SPI bus on daisy chain buses G06F13/4247
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The computer system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each of the computer modules is coupled to a connector. Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites,

a serial communication hub controller, and

an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the serial communication hub controller; and

a plurality of computer modules coupled to respective ones of the coupling sites, at least one of the computer modules comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions,

a serial controller coupled to the serial communication hub controller, and

a first interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer modules are similar in design to each other.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the console further comprises a second interface controller to communicate with the at least one of the computer modules through the LVDS channel.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the console further comprises a hard disk drive coupled to the at least one of the computer modules.

5. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites, and

an enclosure housing the coupling sites; and

a plurality of computer modules coupled to respective ones of the coupling sites, each of the computer modules comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions,

an Ethernet controller to communicate with an external network, and

a first interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction.

6. The computer system of claim 5, wherein the computer modules are similar in design to each other.

7. The computer system of claim 5, wherein the console further comprises a second interface controller to communicate with the first interface controller of at least one of the computer modules through the LVDS channel of the at least one of the computer modules.

8. The computer system of claim 5, wherein the console further comprises an Ethernet hub controller coupled to the Ethernet controller of at least one of the computer modules to communicate with the external network.

9. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a slot,

a power supply, and

an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the power supply; and

a plurality of computer modules, each of the computer modules coupled to a respective one of the coupling sites through the slot of the respective one of the coupling sites, each of the computer modules comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions, and

an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data,

wherein the computer modules receive power from the power supply upon coupling to the console.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the computer modules are similar in design to each other.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the computer modules further comprises an Ethernet controller to communicate with an external network.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the console further comprises a mass storage device that is shared between the computer modules.

13. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites,

a power supply,

a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions,

an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and

an enclosure housing the coupling sites, the power supply, the LVDS channel, and the interface controller; and

a computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites and comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit, and

a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit,

wherein the computer module receives power from the power supply for operation.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the mass storage device comprises a flash memory.

15. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the computer module further comprises a serial controller coupled to the console for data communication.

16. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a connector,

a pair of unidirectional, multiple serial bit, low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channels to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data in opposite directions, and

an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the LVDS channels; and

a computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector of the one of the coupling sites, the computer module comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a mass storage device comprising a flash memory, and

a serial communication controller,

wherein the serial communication controller is coupled to the console for data communication upon coupling of the computer module to the console.

17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the data communication of the serial communication controller comprises Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication.

18. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the computer module further comprises a computing environment for a personal computer user.

19. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites, at least one of the coupling sites comprising a connector,

a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) drive,

a first differential signal channel comprising a pair of unidirectional, serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions, and

an enclosure housing the coupling sites, the DVD drive, and the first differential signal channel; and

a computer module coupled to the at least one of the coupling sites through the connector, the computer module comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a mass storage device comprising a flash memory,

a second differential signal channel comprising a pair of unidirectional, serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions, and

an interface controller coupled to the console through the second differential signal channel and the connector,

wherein the first differential signal channel and the second differential signal channel are coupled to each other upon insertion of the computer module into the console.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the computer module further comprises a computing environment for a personal computer user.

21. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the console further comprises a power supply, and the computer module receives power from the power supply upon insertion of the computer module into the console.

22. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a connector,

a power supply,

an integrated Liquid Crystal Display (LCD),

a first differential signal channel comprising a pair of unidirectional, serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions, and

an enclosure housing the coupling sites, the power supply, the LCD, and the first differential signal channel; and

a computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector of the one of the coupling sites, the computer module comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a mass storage device comprising a flash memory, and

a second differential signal channel comprising a pair of unidirectional, serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions,

wherein the first differential signal channel and the second differential signal channel are coupled to each other upon insertion of the computer module into the console, and the computer module is at least partially powered by the power supply for operation.

23. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the computer module further comprises a computing environment for a personal computer user.

24. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the console further comprises a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) drive.

25. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a connector, and

a first pair of unidirectional, multiple bit, low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channels to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction as serial data along a pair of directions that are different from each other; and

a computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector of the one of the coupling sites, the computer module comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit,

a second pair of unidirectional, multiple bit, LVDS channels to transmit encoded PCI bus transaction as serial data along a pair of directions that are different from each other, and

an interface controller coupled to the second pair of LVDS channels,

wherein the interface controller is coupled to the console for data communication upon coupling of the computer module to the console.

26. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the console further comprises a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) drive.

27. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the computer module further comprises a password mechanism to control access to the computer module.

28. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a slot,

a mass storage device, and

an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the mass storage device; and

a plurality of computer modules, each of the computer modules coupled to a respective one of the coupling sites through the slot of the respective one of the coupling sites, each of the computer modules comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions,

a serial communication controller, and

an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data,

wherein the computer modules are similar in design to each other, and wherein the mass storage device is coupled to the computer modules during operation.

29. The computer system of claim 28, wherein the serial communication controller of at least one of the computer modules is coupled to the console for data communication.

30. The computer system of claim 28, wherein the console further comprises a power supply to supply power to the computer modules.

31. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a slot,

a mass storage device, and

an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the mass storage device; and

a plurality of computer modules, each of the computer modules coupled to a respective one of the coupling sites through the slot of the respective one of the coupling sites, at least one of the computer modules comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit,

a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions,

a serial communication controller, and

an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data,

wherein the computer modules are similar in design to each other, and wherein the at least one of the computer modules is configured to provide protection against failure of another one of the computer modules.

32. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the serial communication controller of the at least one of the computer modules is coupled to the console for data communication.

33. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the mass storage device is coupled to the computer modules upon insertion of the computer modules into the console.

34. A computer system comprising:

a plurality of coupling sites;

a power supply;

a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel associated with at least one of the coupling sites, the LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions;

a first interface controller associated with the at least one of the coupling sites and coupled to the LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction; and

a plurality of computer modules coupled to respective ones of the coupling sites, at least one of the computer modules comprising

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit, and

a second interface controller coupled to the first interface controller through the LVDS channel,

wherein the computer modules receive power from the power supply for operation.

35. The computer system of claim 34, wherein at least one of the computer modules further comprises an Ethernet controller to communicate with an external network.

36. The computer system of claim 34, wherein the computer system further comprises a mass storage device that is shared between the computer modules.

37. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a first coupling site,

a second coupling site,

a power supply,

a first low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel associated with the first coupling site, the first LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions,

a second LVDS channel associated with the second coupling site, the second LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions,

a first interface controller coupled to at least one of the first LVDS channel and the second LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and

an enclosure housing the first coupling site, the second coupling site, the power supply, the first LVDS channel, the second LVDS channel, and the first interface controller.

38. The computer system of claim 37, further comprising:

a first computer module coupled to the first coupling site; and

a second computer module coupled to the second coupling site,

wherein at least one of the first computer module and the second computer module comprises

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit, and

a second interface controller to communicate with the console through one of the first LVDS channel and the second LVDS channel.

39. The computer system of claim 38, wherein each of the first computer module and the second computer module receives power from the power supply for operation.

40. A computer system comprising:

a console comprising

a coupling site,

a power supply,

a first low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction,

a second differential channel associated with the coupling site, the second differential channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, serial bit channels in opposite directions,

a first interface controller coupled to the second differential channel, and

an enclosure housing the coupling site, the power supply, the first LVDS channel, the second differential channel, and the first interface controller.

41. The computer system of claim 40, further comprising:

a computer module coupled to the coupling site,

wherein the computer module comprises

a processing unit,

a main memory coupled to the processing unit, and

a second interface controller to communicate, via Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication, with the console through the second differential channel.

42. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the computer module receives at least partial power from the power supply of the console for operation upon coupling to the console.

43. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the computer module further comprises a computing environment for a personal computer user.