Method and apparatus for extending the signal path of a peripheral component interconnect bus to a remote location
First Claim
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1. A system for extending a signal path of a host PCI bus comprising:
- a first bus interface communicating with said host PCI bus, the first bus interface presenting only a single load to the host PCI bus;
a transmission medium having a first and second end, said first end electrically connected to said first bus interface;
a second bus interface electrically connected to said second end of said transmission medium; and
a second PCI bus communicating with said second bus interface, wherein the first bus interface comprises;
an expansion board;
a PCI bridge connected to said expansion board;
a primary bus having a primary bus signal connected to said PCI bridge;
a primary clock input connected so as to receive a clock signal from said host PCI bus;
a secondary bus electrically connected to receive said primary bus signal from said primary bus to generate a secondary bus signal; and
a secondary clock input connected so as to receive a delayed clock signal from said host PCI bus, wherein the secondary bus signal is the primary bus signal delayed by the delayed clock signal.
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Abstract
A peripheral component interconnect (PCI) extension/expansion system wherein the PCI Local Bus can be extended from a computer system'"'"'s motherboard to another location. A PCI translation card and remote PCI board communicate via a transmission medium to relay the signals from the PCI local bus to a remote location. The signals are then provided to remote expansion slots, where additional PCI components may be operated. Further, additional PCI connectors are provided for more add-in boards.
174 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for extending a signal path of a host PCI bus comprising:
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a first bus interface communicating with said host PCI bus, the first bus interface presenting only a single load to the host PCI bus; a transmission medium having a first and second end, said first end electrically connected to said first bus interface; a second bus interface electrically connected to said second end of said transmission medium; and a second PCI bus communicating with said second bus interface, wherein the first bus interface comprises; an expansion board; a PCI bridge connected to said expansion board; a primary bus having a primary bus signal connected to said PCI bridge; a primary clock input connected so as to receive a clock signal from said host PCI bus; a secondary bus electrically connected to receive said primary bus signal from said primary bus to generate a secondary bus signal; and a secondary clock input connected so as to receive a delayed clock signal from said host PCI bus, wherein the secondary bus signal is the primary bus signal delayed by the delayed clock signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of extending a signal path of a host PCI bus to a second PCI bus via a first bus interface having a first PCI bridge, a transmission medium, and a second bus interface having a second PCI bridge comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a bus signal and a clock signal from said host PCI bus at said first bus interface, whereby said host PCI bus detects only a single load; (b) delaying said clock signal an amount dependant on said transmission medium; (c) transmitting said bus signal and said clock signal to said second bus interface via said transmission medium; (d) receiving said signals at said second bus interface; and (e) generating a PCI signal at said second bus interface. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method of expanding a host PCI bus to a plurality of expansion slots mounted on a backplane, said expansion slots being electrically connected to a second PCI bus, wherein said second PCI bus communicates to said host bus via a first bus interface having a first PCI bridge, a transmission medium, and a second bus interface having a second PCI bridge comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a bus signal and a clock signal from said host PCI bus at said first bus interface, whereby said host PCI bus detects only a single load; (b) delaying said clock signal an amount dependant on said transmission medium; (c) transmitting said bus signal and said clock signal to said second bus interface via said transmission medium; (d) receiving said signals at said second bus interface; (e) generating a PCI signal at said second bus interface; and (f) communicating said PCI signal to said second PCI bus. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification