Dynamically reconfigurable multi-function PCI adapter device
First Claim
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1. A multifunction PCI adapter, comprising:
- a PCI connection connected to a PCI port of a host system;
a sub-port for connecting at least one device having at least one PCI-compatible function;
hardware for executing at least one internal PCI-compatible function;
function mapping logic to map said internal function and said functions of said device to a single PCI function set;
address mapping logic to map device memory addresses of said device and internal memory addresses of said adapter to and from system memory addresses of said host system; and
message passing logic to pass messages between said host system and said PCI device.
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Abstract
A PCI compliant device having an internal function and a secondary PCI port for a second PCI device having additional functions. The device adapts its internal function and memory and the functions and memory of the second PCI device such that the host system sees only a single multi-function device, which appears to have the combined memories and functions of the adapter and second PCI device. Preferably the adapter itself includes a graphics pre-processor, and is connected to one or more rendering processors on the second PCI port.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multifunction PCI adapter, comprising:
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a PCI connection connected to a PCI port of a host system; a sub-port for connecting at least one device having at least one PCI-compatible function; hardware for executing at least one internal PCI-compatible function; function mapping logic to map said internal function and said functions of said device to a single PCI function set; address mapping logic to map device memory addresses of said device and internal memory addresses of said adapter to and from system memory addresses of said host system; and message passing logic to pass messages between said host system and said PCI device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A PCI-compatible graphics processor and adapter, comprising:
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a PCI connection connected to a PCI port of a host system; a sub-port for connecting at least one device having at least one graphics processor with a corresponding PCI-compatible function; at least one internal graphics processor with a corresponding PCI-compatible function; function mapping logic to map said internal functions and said functions of said device to a single PCI function set; address mapping logic to map device memory addresses of said device and internal memory addresses of said adapter to and from system memory addresses of said host system; and message passing logic to pass messages between said host system and said PCI device; wherein each said graphics processor processes graphics data in conjunction with at least one other said graphics processor. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for adapting a single-function device to a multi-function computer port, comprising the steps of, in an adapter device which is connected to a host system:
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receiving a query from a processor at boot time, and sending a reply through said port to said processor, said reply indicating that a multifunction device is attached to said port; mapping said device to a specific function address on said port; mapping system memory addresses received from said processor to corresponding memory addresses on said device, upon receiving memory access requests from said processor, whereby said memory addresses are accessible by said processor; receiving an enable signal from said processor and passing said enable signal to said device; accessing said remapped memory of said device according to access requests to said system memory addresses from said processor; passing messages between said device and said processor, after performing any appropriate address translations according to said remapping steps. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for adapting one or more multi-function PCI compatible devices to a multi-function PCI compatible computer port comprising the steps of:
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receiving a query from a processor at boot time, and sending a reply through said port to said processor, said reply indicating that a multifunction device is attached to said port; mapping each function of said devices to specific function addresses on said port; mapping system memory addresses received from said processor to corresponding memory addresses on said device, upon receiving memory access requests from said processor, whereby said memory address are accessible by said processor; receiving an enable signal from said processor and passing said enable signal to said device; accessing said remapped memory of said device according to access requests to said system memory addresses from said processor; passing messages between said device and said processor, after performing any appropriate address translations according to said remapping steps. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for adapting a multi-function PCI compatible device to a multi-function PCI compatible computer port via an adapter having an internal function and memory, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a query from a processor at boot time, and sending a reply through said port to said processor, said reply indicating that a multifunction device is attached to said port; mapping each function of said device and said internal function to specific function addresses on said port; mapping system memory addresses received from said processor to corresponding memory address on said device, upon receiving memory access requests from said processor, said memory address being accessible by said processor; mapping system memory addresses received from said processor to corresponding memory address to said internal memory on said adapter, upon receiving memory access requests from said processor, said memory address being accessible by said processor; receiving an enable signal from said processor and passing said enable signal to said device; accessing said remapped memory of said device according to access requests to said system memory addresses from said processor; accessing said remapped memory of said device according to access requests to said system memory addresses from said processor; passing messages between said device and said processor, after performing any appropriate address translations according to said remapping steps; and processing instructions sent to said adapter from said processor or said device according to said internal function. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification