Split computer architecture to separate user and processor while retaining original user interface
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for communicating digital computer data over extended distances comprising:
- a processor coupled to a first communication link and generating digital data for communication on the first communication link, wherein the data are communicated according to a standard digital communication format, and wherein the data generated by the processor include information providing video data for use by a video monitor;
a first logic device receiving the digital data generated by the processor and communicated on the first link, the first logic device converting the received digital data into a second digital communication format different from the standard digital communication format, and coupling the converted data to a second communication link different from the first communication link;
a second logic device coupled to the second communication link and receiving the converted data from the first logic device, the second logic device converting the data from the second link into a third digital communication format and coupling the data in the third digital communication format to a third communication link different from the first and second communication links, wherein at least one component of the first logic device is separated from at least one component of the second logic device by at least one clock domain barrier;
a video processing circuit coupled to the third communication link and receiving therefrom at least the information providing video data generated by the processor, the video processing circuit providing the video data in a format suitable for use by the video monitor and transmitting the video data to the video monitor, whereinsaid second logic device is constructed and adapted to deliver sideband signals to said first logic device, said sideband signals including (i) an acknowledgement (ACK) signal indicative of successful buffering by said second logic device of data received from said first logic device, and (ii) a negative acknowledgement (NACK) signal indicative of unsuccessful buffering by said second logic device of uncorrupted data received from said first logic device, said unsuccessful buffering being caused by a full buffer at said second logic device,wherein said second logic device is further constructed and adapted to not send two successive NACK signals without at least one intervening ACK signal indicative of successful buffering of valid data at said second logic device.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A network interface is described in which a single computer bus is split over a long distance into two or more inter-communicating buses. On one bus, processing and applications are provided and on the other remote bus, peripheral and local controllers are provided. The buses communicate through a series of: bridge, FPGA, FPGA and bridge. Between the FPGAs, a communication path provides long distance communication.
34 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A system for communicating digital computer data over extended distances comprising:
-
a processor coupled to a first communication link and generating digital data for communication on the first communication link, wherein the data are communicated according to a standard digital communication format, and wherein the data generated by the processor include information providing video data for use by a video monitor; a first logic device receiving the digital data generated by the processor and communicated on the first link, the first logic device converting the received digital data into a second digital communication format different from the standard digital communication format, and coupling the converted data to a second communication link different from the first communication link; a second logic device coupled to the second communication link and receiving the converted data from the first logic device, the second logic device converting the data from the second link into a third digital communication format and coupling the data in the third digital communication format to a third communication link different from the first and second communication links, wherein at least one component of the first logic device is separated from at least one component of the second logic device by at least one clock domain barrier; a video processing circuit coupled to the third communication link and receiving therefrom at least the information providing video data generated by the processor, the video processing circuit providing the video data in a format suitable for use by the video monitor and transmitting the video data to the video monitor, wherein said second logic device is constructed and adapted to deliver sideband signals to said first logic device, said sideband signals including (i) an acknowledgement (ACK) signal indicative of successful buffering by said second logic device of data received from said first logic device, and (ii) a negative acknowledgement (NACK) signal indicative of unsuccessful buffering by said second logic device of uncorrupted data received from said first logic device, said unsuccessful buffering being caused by a full buffer at said second logic device, wherein said second logic device is further constructed and adapted to not send two successive NACK signals without at least one intervening ACK signal indicative of successful buffering of valid data at said second logic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A system for communicating digital computer data over extended distances comprising:
-
a processor coupled to a first PCI bus and generating digital data for communication on the first PCI bus, wherein the data are communicated according to a PCI communication format; a first logic device receiving the digital data generated by the processor and communicated on the first PCI bus, the first logic device converting the received digital data into a second digital communication format different from the PCI communication format, and coupling the converted data to a second communication link different from the first communication link; a second logic device coupled to the second communication link and receiving the converted data from the first logic device, the second logic device converting the data from the second link into the PCI communication format and coupling the data in the PCI communication format to a second PCI bus distinct from the first PCI bus and the second communication link, wherein the at least one component of the first logic device is separated from at least one component of the second logic device by at least one clock domain barrier, wherein said second logic device is constructed and adapted to deliver sideband signals to said first logic device, said sideband signals including (i) an acknowledgement (ACK) signal indicative of successful buffering by said second logic device of data received from said first logic device, and (ii) a negative acknowledgement (NACK) signal indicative of unsuccessful buffering by said second logic device of uncorrupted data received from said first logic device, said unsuccessful buffering being caused by a full buffer at said second logic device, wherein said second logic device is further constructed and adapted not to send two successive NACK signals without at least some valid data being successfully buffered by said second logic device between said successive NACK signals. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A method for communicating digital computer data over extended distances comprising:
-
(A) providing a processor coupled to a first PCI bus and generating digital data for communication on the first PCI bus, wherein the data are communicated according to a PCI communication format; (B) at a first logic device; (b1) receiving the digital data generated by the processor and communicated in the first PCI bus, (b2) converting the received digital data into a second digital communication format, the second digital communication format being a proprietary, non-standard digital format different from the PCI communication format, and (b3) coupling the converted data to a second communication link different from the first PCI bus, said second communication link comprising a medium between 50 meters and two kilometers long; and (C) at a second logic device coupled to the second communication link; (c1) receiving the converted data from the first logical device, (c2) converting the data from the second link into the PCI communication format, (c3) attempting to buffer said data in the PCI communication format in a buffer of said second logical device; (c4) upon failure to buffer said data in said FIFO buffer, said failure being caused by said FIFO buffer being full or by said data being ahead of an expected sequence, then, only if the immediately preceding acknowledgement signal was not a NACK signal, sending a sideband NACK signal to said first logic device, said NACK signal being indicative of unsuccessful buffering by said second logic device of uncorrupted data received from said first logic device; and
otherwise(c5) coupling the data in the PCI communication format to a second PCI bus distinct from the first PCI bus and the second communication link, wherein at least one component of the first logic device is separated from at least one component of the second logic device by at least one clock domain barrier, and wherein the second logic device receives digital data from a keyboard and a mouse, the second logic device converting the keyboard and mouse data into a format suitable for transmission on the second communication link, and coupling the reformatted keyboard and mouse data onto the second communication link.
-
Specification