PCI extended function interface and PCI device using the same

• US 6,978,338 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
• Original Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
• Inventors: Tsai, Jen-Che, Wu, Chang-Lien, Wang, Hsin-Min, Hsieh, Huan-Tang
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TIM T
• Application Number:
  US10/100,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20020133651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 710/10, 710/100, 710/300, 710/313
• US Class Current: 710/313
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4221 being an input/output bus, e.g. ISA bus, EISA bus, PCI bus, SCSI bus

Abstract

The present invention discloses a PCI extended function interface and PCI device using such an interface. The PCI extended function interface is suitable for use in a PCI device comprising a master device and at least one slave device. The PCI extended function interface comprises at least one connecting port and a first circuit. The slave device is coupled to a corresponding connecting port and the PCI extended function interface transmits a control signal through the connecting port to control the operation of a corresponding slave device. The first circuit is used to determine the configuration space.

Claims

1. A PCI device comprising:

a master device for performing a first function, the master device comprising a PCI interface for communicating the master device with a PCI bus, and an extended function interface having at least one connecting port; and

a configuration device, for determining a define bit defining said PCI device to be one of a single-functional device and a multi-functional device;

wherein said define bit is changeable.

2. The PCI device of claim 1, wherein said configuration device is a storage device or a hard-wired circuit.

3. The PCI device of claim 1, wherein said configuration device is coupled to the master device.

4. The PCI device of claim 1, further comprising at least one slave device for performing a second function, wherein when the slave device is coupled to the connecting port, the define bit indicates that the PCI device is a multi-functional device.