Dynamic initialization of processor module via motherboard interface

• US 6,772,328 B1
• Filed: 06/18/1999
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Rowe, Eric, Cho, Hanwoo, Talbot, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cao, Chun
• Application Number:
  US09/335,939
• Time in Patent Office: 1,873 Days
• Field of Search: 713/1, 713/2, 713/100, 710/8, 710/62, 710/102, 710/129
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4068 Electrical coupling

Abstract

In a common processor module/motherboard interface, an interface protocol is defined such that a replacement processor module can be recognized by a common motherboard and such that a common processor module can be compatible with multiple motherboards. A module information field stored on a processor module includes status information pertaining to the processor module. When the processor module is coupled to a motherboard, the motherboard downloads the module information field and generates initialization commands for the processor module based on the retrieved module information field. The commands are transferred to the processor module for initialization of the processor.

Claims

1. A system for initializing a processor module connected to a motherboard comprising:

a processor module comprising;

a processor for execution of program instructions;

an initialization interface for receiving initialization commands for initializing said processor;

a module information field, said module information field including status information pertaining to said processor module; and

a first connector for transferring signals external to said processor module; and

a motherboard comprising;

a second connector adapted to mate with said first connector for transferring signals between said motherboard and said processor module;

a processor module information retrieval circuit for retrieving said module information field from said processor module through said first and second mating connectors; and

an initialization command generator for dynamically generating initialization commands for the processor module based on said retrieved module information field,

wherein said processor on the processor module receives said initialization commands generated at said motherboard in the form of a serial bit stream from said initialization interface through said first and second mating connectors, and said processor on the processor module initializes in response to the received initialization commands prior to execution of program instructions by the processor thereby confirming system bus signal communication between the processor module and the motherboard via the first and second connectors.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said initialization interface comprises a serial interface.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor module further comprises a cache external to said processor and electronically coupled therewith, and wherein said module information field includes status information pertaining to said cache that is used for generating the processor initialization command.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the initialization command includes commands for initializing processor control registers.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the initialization command includes commands for initializing processor interfaces.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the initialization command comprises an initialization program to be operated by the processor to establish communication with the motherboard through the mating first and second connectors, and for initializing hardware mounted to the motherboard.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the initialization command generator comprises:

a control circuit for decoding data values stored in said retrieved module information field; and

a memory for storing a plurality of partial initialization sequences for a plurality of processors, said control circuit generating an initialization command from a subset of said initialization sequences based on said module information field.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said memory includes a programmable interface for updating said partial initialization sequences for updated processors.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said partial initialization sequences pertain to a plurality of processor types and processor clock rates.

10. A method for initializing a processor module connected to a motherboard comprising:

storing status information pertaining to said processor module in a module information field on said processor module;

retrieving, at said motherboard, said module information field from said processor module;

dynamically generating initialization commands, at said motherboard, for said processor module, based on said retrieved module information field;

transmitting said initialization commands in the form of a serial bit stream to a processor on said processor module; and

initializing said processor on said processor module in response to said initialization commands generated at said motherboard prior to execution of program instructions by the processor, thereby confirming system bus signal communication between the processor module and the motherboard.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein generating initialization commands comprises generating commands for initializing processor control registers on said processor module.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein generating initialization commands comprises generating commands for initializing processor interfaces on said processor module.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein generating initialization commands comprises generating an initialization program to establish communication with said motherboard for initializing hardware mounted to the motherboard.