Self-terminating electrical socket
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electrical socket comprising:
- an electrical connection for receiving an externally provided electrical signal;
a termination circuit coupled to the connection for terminating the electrical signal transmitted to the electrical connection, the termination circuit having a first set of electrical characteristics when the socket is not engaged with a mate, and a second set of electrical characteristics when the socket is engaged with a mate; and
a detector for detecting when a mate is engaged with the socket and providing an output signal to the termination circuit for selecting the first or second set of electrical characteristics.
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Abstract
A self terminating electrical socket is described which adjusts communication line termination circuit characteristics in response to a mate engaging the socket. Electrical and mechanical detection techniques are described for switching the termination circuitry from a first state to a second state. The electrical socket is particularly well suited for use in a described memory bus. Multiple termination circuits are described which have different electrical characteristics depending upon the population of the electrical socket.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An electrical socket comprising:
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an electrical connection for receiving an externally provided electrical signal; a termination circuit coupled to the connection for terminating the electrical signal transmitted to the electrical connection, the termination circuit having a first set of electrical characteristics when the socket is not engaged with a mate, and a second set of electrical characteristics when the socket is engaged with a mate; and a detector for detecting when a mate is engaged with the socket and providing an output signal to the termination circuit for selecting the first or second set of electrical characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An electrical socket comprising:
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an electrical connection for receiving an externally provided electrical signal; a termination circuit coupled to the connection for terminating the electrical signal transmitted to the electrical connection, the termination circuit having a first set of electrical characteristics when the socket is not engaged with a mate, and a second set of electrical characteristics when the socket is engaged with a mate; a switch activated by the mate for detecting when a mate is engaged with the socket and providing an output signal to the termination circuit for selecting the first or second set of electrical characteristics, wherein the switch comprises a cam located to contact the mate when the socket is engaged with a mate.
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7. An electrical socket comprising:
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an electrical connection for receiving an externally provided electrical signal; a termination circuit coupled to the connection for terminating the electrical signal transmitted to the electrical connection, the termination circuit having a first set of electrical characteristics when the socket is not engaged with a mate, and a second set of electrical characteristics when the socket is engaged with a mate; a switch activated by the mate for detecting when a mate is engaged with the socket and providing an output signal to the termination circuit for selecting the first or second set of electrical characteristics, wherein the switch comprises a photo diode and a light source positioned such that light from the light source is prevented from reaching the photo diode when the socket is engaged with a mate.
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8. A memory bus comprising:
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a plurality of sockets coupled to a data communication line; a plurality of detectors associated with the plurality of sockets, each of the plurality of detectors provides an output indicating when an associated one of the plurality of sockets is engaged with a memory module; and a termination circuit coupled to the data communication line, the termination circuit having a plurality of electrical characteristic states selectable based upon the outputs from the plurality of detectors. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer system comprising:
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a processor; a memory bus having communication lines coupled between the processor and a plurality of sockets, each of the sockets adapted to receive a memory module; a plurality of switch devices located in proximity to the sockets such that each one of the switches provides a signal indicating when one of the sockets is engaged with a memory module; and a plurality of termination circuits, each termination circuit coupled to a communication line and having multiple electrical characteristics which are selected in response to the signals provided by the plurality of switch devices. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of terminating a communication line coupled to multiple sockets, the method comprising:
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coupling a termination circuit having a first set of electrical characteristics to the communication line; engaging a memory module with one of the multiple sockets; detecting when the memory module is engaged with the one of the multiple sockets; and adjusting the termination circuit to have a second set of electrical characteristics in response to the step of detecting. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification