CN100354845C - PC card controller with reduced number of terminals - Google Patents
PC card controller with reduced number of terminals Download PDFInfo
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- CN100354845C CN100354845C CNB2004800017685A CN200480001768A CN100354845C CN 100354845 C CN100354845 C CN 100354845C CN B2004800017685 A CNB2004800017685 A CN B2004800017685A CN 200480001768 A CN200480001768 A CN 200480001768A CN 100354845 C CN100354845 C CN 100354845C
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Abstract
A PC Card subsystem is used for coupling a PC card to a computer system and comprises a PC Card controller and a PC Card power switch. The PC Card controller is coupled to and operates the PC card. The PC Card power switch is used for supplying power to the PC Card and provides at least one control signal for operating the PC card.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to be used for connecting a PC card a PC card controller and PC card power switch to computer system, be particularly related to a PC card controller, so that make PC card controller and PC card power switch with the higher cost benefit with number of pins of minimizing.
Background technology
PC card (16 bit PCM CIA cards and 32 bit CardBus cards) extensively is installed in the computer system, especially at notebook computer or kneetop computer.The PC card allows the user to use a removable method, and for example modulator-demodular unit and data storing are connected to a computer system with different functions.PC card standard has been announced the outer shape parameter of card, power supply requirement, and the standard of electrical interface etc. is to guarantee the intercommunity between many computer system manufacturers.By observing PC card standard, these functions of modules can be enabled on the device that is connected them by the PC card by the manufacturer of a computer system.
There have been many manufacturers that bridge joint is provided now or connected like a pci bus to PC card controller in the computer system and so on product based on PCI, for example, the commodity of being made by Texas Instrument (Texas Instrument Inc.) are called PCI1410, the commodity that Ao'tu Micro-systems International Co., Ltd., Cayman Islands(British) (O2MicroInternational Limited) makes OZ6912 by name, the commodity R5C475 by name of the commodity that the fast outstanding Science and Technology Ltd. in Taiwan (EnE Technology Inc.in Taiwan) makes CB1410 by name and company limited of Ricoh (Ricoh Co.) all comprises most basic version.
Even in the most basic model of PC card controller, in order to satisfy the standard of PCI and PC card, still need a large amount of signals and some to be used for satisfying the system-level interface criterion of generally employing and other normal signals of de facto standard (de-facto standards).Provide the PC card controller of these a large amount of signals to be encapsulated in a de facto standard (de-facto standards) 144 pin squares flat (QFP) encapsulation, 144/145 spheric grid array (BGA) encapsulation, and in 128 pin squares flat (QFP) encapsulation.
Should be noted that the cost that adds signal meeting chip occupying area and increase encapsulation.The cost of chip area and chip is proportional, and is special on a non-linear but normally continuous cost size curve.Relevant encapsulation, the curve of the relative number of pins of cost be a step function normally, because do not have industry-standard package for each number of pins.For instance, the example of the industry-standard package of some QFP type package has: 80 pins, 100 pins, 120 pins, 128 pins and 144 pins.The size and the number of pins of encapsulation are very big factor in packaging cost.Furtherly, the number of pins of minimizing PC card can reduce the board area of PC card controller printed circuit board (PCB) equally.
Conventional PC card controller terminal
Even in the most basic model of PC card controller, in order to satisfy the standard of PCI and PC card, still need a large amount of signals and some to be used for satisfying the system-level interface criterion of generally employing and other normal signals of de facto standard (de-facto standards).
PC card controller on the current market is all abideed by PCI standard v2.3.The PCI standard comprises one to surpassing the defined declaration of 60 kinds of signals, comprises agreement and I/O electricity normalized illustration.The PC card controller is carried out the PCI input and/or the outlet terminal of following routine usually:
PCI arbitrating signals: REQ# and GNT#;
PCI control signal: FRAME#, IRDY#, TRDY#, STOP#, DEVSEL#, PERR#, SERR#;
PCI address/data signal: AD31:0;
PCI instruction and byte enabling signal: C/BE3:0#;
PCI configuration cycle is selected: IDSEL;
PCI interrupts: INTA#;
Pci clock: CLK.
PC card controller on the current market is all abideed by PC card standard, version 8.0.PC card standard comprises one to surpassing the defined declaration of 60 kinds of signals, comprises agreement and I/O electricity normalized illustration.The signal of 16 bit models of a pcmcia card and 32 bit CardBus definition are multiplexing.The PC card controller is carried out the input of PC card and/or the outlet terminal of following routine usually:
CardBus arbitrating signals: CREQ# and CGNT#;
CardBus control signal: CFRAME#, CIRDY#, CTRDY#, CSTOP#, CDEVSEL#;
CardBus address/data signal: CAD 31:0;
CardBus instruction and byte enabling signal: CC/BE3:0#;
CardBus interrupts: CINT#;
CardBus clock: CCLK;
The PCMCIA16 bit signal not with the signal of CardBus signal multiplexing: D2, D14, A18; And
The PC card detects and voltage induced signal: CD1#, CD2#, VS1, VS2.
Some conventional PC card controller termination function are to be used for satisfying system-level interface criterion and the de facto standard (de-facto standards) that generally adopts.Now in fact, these conventional PC card controller termination function are multiplexing a bit on same terminal, and can be configured to a function or other usually, to reduce number of pins.These signals are listed as follows:
The output of PC card audio frequency is an audio driver that is used for controlling a PC card signal source: this paper called after SPKR#;
The output of PC card activity indicator is to be used for controlling especially a LED: this paper called after SKT_LED;
The PCI input that resets: this paper called after PRST#;
Pci clock control is by " clock operation agreement " terminal, de facto standard (de-facto standards): this paper called after CLKRUN#;
The power management context resets: this paper called after GRST#;
ACPI power management event: this paper called after PME#;
PCMCIA ring signal indicator makes PCMCIA modulator-demodular unit energy waken system: this paper called after RI_OUT;
The IRQ protocol terminal that serialization keeps: this paper called after IRQSER;
Parallelization power switch communication terminal: this paper called after VCCD0#, VCCD1#, VPPD0, VPPD1;
Series electrical source switch communication terminal: this paper called after CLOCK, DATA, LATCH.
The specific function terminal
A lot of new functions have been integrated in the PC card controller in current practice; For example, IEEE1394 link layer (IEEE1394 Link) or link+Physical layer (Link+PHY) circuit, intellignet card fetch, quickflashing media reader and secure digital I/O (SDIO) reader.The conception that other ideas for example are integrated into IrDA controller and network controller the PC card controller forms.In a lot of cases, work as a new function and be integrated in the PC card controller, just need new terminal to go to realize the application of new function, be called the specific function terminal herein.
The example of specific function terminal is as follows:
Intelligent card interface by ISO 7816 definition;
SD internal memory card interface by SDA (Secure Digital Association) definition;
Smart media card by the definition of SSFDC forum;
XD-Picture card by Fuji (FujiFilm) and Olympus (Olympus) definition;
High-speed serial bus electrical interface by the IEEE1394 standard definition; And
Physical layer/link layer (PHY/Link) interface by the IEEE1394-2000 standard definition.
The interpolation of specific function terminal has increased the number of pins of PC card controller especially.In some other case, the specific function terminal be by keep in the typical PC card controller and/or untapped termination function provide.Yet reservation and untapped termination function are constantly removed by the manufacturer of PC card controller, therefore become very difficult for specific function terminal searching position under the situation that does not increase PC card controller number of pins.
Specific function terminal as herein described is relevant with the function that is integrated into a PC card controller.For example, if a PC card controller is enhanced owing to containing the intellignet card fetch logic, so except the PC card controller terminal of routine, any new terminal that is included in the PC card controller, and those terminals relevant with the use of smart card logic all classify as the specific function terminal.In this example, the used terminal of smart card detection is exactly a specific function terminal.
Conventional PC card power switch
When a PC card was inserted into PC card connector, connection will detect and the voltage induced signal by card, is called the CD/VS signal equally, and is detected by conventional PC card controller.The CD/VS signal can be indicated the electrical interface and the voltage requirements of PC card.The PC card controller can start card and go up suitable electrical interface, and the PC card power switch of the voltage requirements by electric control signal and indicating card communicates.PC card power switch will be PC card start-up/VCC and VPP power supply are provided based on control information, and described two power supplys indicate in PC card standard.
Control information is by the PC card controller, based on the used switch of system, by a power switch communication protocol, offers PC card power switch.Use two kinds of de facto standards (de-facto standard) power switch control interface and corresponding communication agreement now: a serial control interface uses serial communication protocol, and a parallel control interface uses a parallel communications agreement.For example, serial PC card power switch can draw from the commodity OZ2206 by name of the commodity that Texas Instrument (Texas Instruments Inc.) makes TPS2206 by name and Ao'tu Micro-systems International Co., Ltd., Cayman Islands(British) (O2MicroInternational Limited) manufacturing.Parallel PC card power switch can draw from the commodity OZ2211 by name of the commodity that Texas Instrument (Texas Instruments Inc.) makes TPS2211 by name and Ao'tu Micro-systems International Co., Ltd., Cayman Islands(British) (O2Micro International Limited) manufacturing.The tables of data of TPS2206 and TPS2211 describes serial and parallel control agreement in detail.
Conventional PC card power switch terminal comprises:
Power terminal can be imported the power supply from system, and a reference ground;
Slot source terminal energy out-put supply is to the VCC and the VPP power rail of PC card;
PC card power supply control terminal (for example, parallel agreement, serial protocol, closing control signal); And
Optional PC card power supply status terminal.
The example of optional power supply status terminal is the overcurrent indicator, excess temperature indicator, and voltage indicator (for example, VCC and/or VPP are in predetermined voltage range).
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Figure 1 shows that typical prior art PC clamp system 150 in the computer system 102.PC clamp system 150 comprises a PC card connector 105 that is used to receive a PC card 106, and a PC card controller 100 that connects PC card connector 105.PC card controller 100 equally also is connected to Master Bus Controller 114 and is used for other elements for system CPU and computer system 102 and provides and be connected.PC card controller 100 comprises that PC card logic 100a is used for by using the PC card communication protocol to communicate by letter with main bus, and connects to PC card 106 for this reason PC card electrical interface input/output signal 108 is provided.Controller 100 provides conventional terminal function 110 to be used for satisfying system-level interface criterion and the de facto standard (de-factostandards) that generally adopts equally.
Generally special function logic 100b can be integrated in the PC card controller 100 more function is provided, this special function logic provides input/output signal 115 to be used for being connected for the control relevant with special integrated functionality provides with data element especially.
When a PC card 106 was inserted into PC card connector 105, connection will detect and voltage induced signal 107 by card, is called the CD/VS signal equally, and is detected by conventional PC card controller 100.The CD/VS signal can be indicated the electrical interface 111 of PC card 106, for example, and the voltage requirements of CardBus or 16 bit R2 electrical interfaces and PC card 106.PC card controller 100 can start card and go up suitable electrical interface, thus and the voltage requirements of output electric control signal 103 to PC card power switches 104 indication PC cards 106.
PC card power switch 104 is according to the VCC and the VPP power supply 109 of control signal 103 conversion PC cards, and described two power supplys indicate in PC card standard.The power supply that is transformed into slot offers PC card power switch 104 by power terminal 112.Power switch 104 can provide one or more slot power supply statuss output 113 to be used to refer to card power supply relevant information such as overcurrent condition, excess temperature situation, and voltage condition, for example, VCC and/or VPP within the predetermined voltage range or outside.
Figure 2 shows that the conception of typical prior art PC clamp system 250 in another computer system 202.PC clamp system 250 is similar to PC clamp system 150 shown in Figure 1, and wherein same label is represented same content.PC card controller 200 is connected to a PCI main bus, and by pci bus REQ# 223 and the GNT# 228 arbitrating signals that has defined in the PCI standard, a pci bus look-at-me 225, and other conventional pci bus signals 224 are connected with a PCI Master Bus Controller 214.In this less universal example, this special function logic that is integrated into the PC card controller is intellignet card fetch logic 200b, and smart card input/output signal 227 provides the control signal relevant with smart card.
Controller 200 among Fig. 2 provides the conventional terminal function equally, comprise an output signal, the SPKR# 226 that provides for PC card audio frequency and other are used for satisfying the system-level interface criterion that generally adopts and the signal 221 of de facto standard (de-facto standards), for example, pci clock control CLKRUN# agreement.
In sum, for a PC card controller, the quantity of the minimized terminal of doing the best is necessary.The invention provides method and other advantages.
Summary of the invention
The object of the present invention is to provide a PC card controller of a minimized number of terminals of energy.
In order to achieve the above object, to the invention provides one and be used to connect PC card to a computer system and comprise a PC card controller and the PC clamp system of a PC card power switch.The PC card controller connects by PC card connector and operation PC card.PC card power switch is to be used for power supply being provided and providing at least one control signal for operating the PC card for the PC card.
Description of drawings
Other some targets of the present invention, advantage, and novel characteristics will show more obviously in following being described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 shows that the block diagram of typical prior art PC clamp system in the computer system.
Figure 2 shows that the block diagram of typical prior art PC clamp system in another computer system.
Figure 3 shows that block diagram based on PC clamp system in the computer system of the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows that a block diagram at the PC card controller shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 5 shows that a block diagram at the PC card power switch shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 6 shows that communication protocol according to a PC card power switch that is used for the EPSI_A signal in the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 shows that communication protocol according to a PC card power switch that is used for the EPSI_B signal in the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 shows that communication protocol according to a PC card power switch that is used for the EPSI signal in the embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 shows that the process flow diagram of a kind of method of operating a PC card according to one embodiment of present invention.
Embodiment
Figure 3 shows that a computer system 302 based on the embodiment of the invention.In the present embodiment, computer system 302 comprises 350, one Memory Controllers 380 of a PC clamp system, it is connected to Master Bus Controller 314, storer 384, and it is connected to Memory Controller 380, and a CPU (central processing unit) 382, it is connected to Memory Controller 380.In the present embodiment, display controller 386 is by an interface, and for example Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) 388 is connected to Memory Controller 380, thus the Output Display Unit signal to display 389, a LCD (LCD) for example.
In the present embodiment, PC clamp system 350 comprises 305, one Master Bus Controllers 314 of 300, one PC card connectors of a PC card controller, and a PC card power switch 304.PC card controller 300 communicates by a communication interface 332 and communication protocol and PC card power switch 304.
When not wishing to be limited to by example that lifted, following specific embodiment will be described with reference to the situation of a pci bus as main bus; Yet the present invention is not limited like this.In this example, PCI standard v2.3 and PC card standard, version 8.0 are observed by PC clamp system 350.
PC clamp system 350 comprises a PC card connector 305 that is used for receiving a PC card 306.PC card controller 300 is connected to PC card connector 305, and provides PC card electrical interface input/output signal 308 for the connection of PC card 306.In addition, thus PC card controller 300 is connected to a PCI main bus and PCI Master Bus Controller 314 to be connected by using the PC card communication protocol to provide as system CPU and element in other computer systems 302.PC card controller 300 is except pci bus REQ# arbitrating signals 323, beyond pci bus GNT# arbitrating signals 328 and the pci bus look-at-me 325 (as shown in Figure 4) also communicate by letter with pci bus controller by the pci bus signal 324 that defines in the PCI standard.
According to one embodiment of the present of invention, the special function logic that is integrated into PC card controller 300 among Fig. 3 is intellignet card fetch logic 300b, and smart card input/output signal 327 provides data and the control signal relevant with smart card simultaneously.
When a PC card 306 was inserted into PC card connector 305, connection will detect and voltage induced signal 307 by card, for example.The CD/VS signal, and detected by conventional PC card power switch 304.The CD/VS signal can be indicated the electrical interface 311 of PC card 306, for example, and CardBus or 16 bit R2 electrical interfaces, and the voltage requirements of PC card 306.PC card power switch 304 is communicated by letter with PC card controller 300 with communication protocol by communication interface 332, is used to refer to the information of existence and other PC cards 306.
PC card power switch 304 is according to the VCC and the VPP power supply 309 of card detection and voltage induced signal 307 conversion PC cards, and described two power supplys indicate in PC card standard.The power supply that is transformed into slot offers PC card power switch 304 by input 312.Power switch 304 can provide one or more slot power supply statuss output 313 to be used to refer to card power supply relevant information such as overcurrent condition, the excess temperature situation, and voltage condition (for example, VCC and/or VPP within the predetermined voltage range or outside).
The communication protocol that operates on the communication interface 332 comprises about insert/extract the status information that state and card are identified as the CD/VS signal 307 of purpose for the PC card.The CD/VS signal 307 that PC card power switch 304 receives from PC card connector 305 transmits simultaneously by the communication protocol that operates on the communication interface 332 and transmits the status information of CD/VS signal to PC card controller 300.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication protocol that operates in communication interface 332 comprises the status information of relevant PC card audio frequency SPKR# signal (as shown in Figure 6).The status information of SPKR# signal is passed to PC card power switch 304 by using communication interface 332 by PC card controller 300.PC card power switch 304 comprises a SPKR# output 326a, and this signal is to be determined according to the status information of being transmitted.In one embodiment, communication protocol is an agreement that is called as based on frame, and a frame of communication protocol comprises several cycles.Therefore, operate in the low delay communication that communication protocol on the communication interface 332 provides the SPKR# status information, this spline structure inherent delay just can be ignored.Described communication protocol will be done further concrete description (referring to Fig. 6) hereinafter.
Among Fig. 3,, operate in the status information that communication protocol on the communication interface 332 comprises INTA# signal (as shown in Figure 6) and REQ# signal (as shown in Figure 6) equally in order to communicate by letter with a pci bus.The status information of SPKR# and REQ# signal will transfer to PC card power switch 304 by PC card controller 300 by using communication interface 332.PC card power switch 304 comprises an INTA# output 325a and a REQ# output 323a, and these two signals are to be determined according to the status information of being transmitted.The communication protocol that operates on the communication interface 332 provides the low delay of INTA# and REQ# status information to communicate by letter.
Among Fig. 3, operate in the status information that communication protocol on the communication interface 332 comprises pci bus communication GNT# signal (as shown in Figure 7).Power switch 304 comprises GNT# input 328a, and it is connected to PCI Master Bus Controller 314, and by communication protocol and interface 332 with the status information transmission of relevant GNT# signal to PC card controller 300.PC card controller 300 uses these status informations under its situation that special-purpose GNT# terminal obtains by one of acquiescence.
For new input and the regularly output of sampling, PC card power switch 304 shown in Figure 3 comprises a new clock reference 334, and pci clock is preferred clock because the terminal synchronizes of it and PC card controller 300.If when the present invention is used in transmitting high speed specific function terminal or those and for power switch the low terminal that postpones to require is arranged, a high-frequency clock will be used so, for example one 30 nanoseconds (ns) clocks.If not strict, consider to use one to be used for conserver power source equally than low-speed clock to postpone requiring.
Figure 4 shows that block diagram based on a PC card controller 300 of the embodiment of the invention.GNT# 328, REQ# 323, INTA# 325, SPKR# 326, and CD/VS signal 307 is transferred to or provided by PC card power switch 304.Obviously other-end as can be known for a person skilled in the art, for example the specific function terminal 327, can be transferred in the PC card power switch 304.
In addition, PC card controller 300 can provide an optional normal mode, and wherein the terminal of PC card controller 300 or terminal are arranged and be equal to conventional PC card controller.When enhancement mode is under an embargo or normal mode is activated, terminal offers conventional PC card signal 409, comprises GNT# 328, REQ# 323, INTA# 325, SPKR# 326, and CD/VS signal 307.In such normal mode, the PC card power switch electrical interface 103 and the communication protocol of prior art type or general type can be used, for example a parallel power switch control interface 403 of routine or a conventional serial power switch control interface 404.Both all are provided serial power switch control interface 404 and parallel power switch control interface 403, and are multiplexing on identical terminal.
When starting enhancement mode, those terminals that will be used for signal 409 offer other signals or function, provide terminal for those signals and function on PC card power switch 304.In other words, when starting enhancement mode, will be passed to PC card power switch 304 for those terminals that signal 409 provides.Agreement just will with power switch electrical interface 332 operate together, this electrical interface can with power switch electrical interface 103 multiplexing identical terminals.Agreement described herein and two signal operate together: EPSI_A405 and EPSI_B406.Agreement provides the status information of all signals that transmitted to PC card power switch 304.
Fig. 4 has described and has interrupted several sources of 407, and these sources are connected to PC card power switch 304 and PC card controller 300, and can cause the judgement of INTA#325.The status information of this INTA# signal offers power switch control block 400 by an inner connection 413.Similarly, several sources of audio frequency 408, these sources connect PC card power switch 304 and PC card controller 300, can cause the judgement of SPKR#326.The status information of this SPKR# signal offers power switch control block 400 by an inner connection 414. Connect 413 and 414 status informations that provide by inside and be transferred to power switch by use agreement and interface 332.
(for example, PCI) bus is carried out data access to 401 requests of PCI arbitration block, causes the judgement of REQ# 323 usually to the master.In controller 300, this request will offer power switch control block 400 by an inner connection 416, and the state of pci bus data access request transfers to PC card power switch 304 by using communication protocol and communication interface 332 simultaneously.
Usually, main pci bus controller 314 will be by judging GNT# signal 328, and it as a terminal in the PC card controller, permits the data access to pci bus usually.In based on the PC card controller 300 in the embodiment of the invention, this bus grant will be provided to PCI arbitration block 401 by power switch control block 400 by an inner connection 416.The state that the pci bus data access is permitted is transmitted by PC card power switch 304 by using communication protocol and communication interface 332.
CD/VS signal 307 comprises four signal: CD1#, CD2#, VS1 and VS2.Card induction block 402 uses these signals to determine existence, interface requirements and the voltage requirements of card.Especially, a conventional PC card controller is judged VS1 and/or VS2 in induction process.Therefore, VS1 and/or VS2 are counted as I/O, and CD1 and CD2 mostly just are taken as input.According to the present invention, the status information that causes the signal that VS1 and/or VS2 judge is provided for power switch control block 400 by an inner connection 415, and this status information transfers to PC card power switch 304 by using communication protocol and communication interface 332 simultaneously.
The CD/VS input state is provided to card induction block 402 by power switch control block 400 by an inner connection 415.The sampling value of CD/VS input 307 is transmitted by power switch 304 by use agreement and interface 332.
In another embodiment, a complete card sense state device is implemented in the power switch 304, and one the information that will provide all to need to the signal communication of PC card controller 300, for example Ka existence, interface requirements, and voltage requirements are provided simultaneously.
Shown in Figure 5 a block diagram based on PC card power switch 304 in the embodiment of the invention described.PC card power switch 304 comprises several PC card terminals 505.PC card terminal 505 is to be judged by 502 controls of the internal interface between communication block 500 and I/O block 501 as output.Internal interface 502 is based on controlling output by the status information that operates in each output that communication protocol provided on the electrical interface 332.PC card terminal 505 is taken a sample by I/O block 501 as input.Sample intelligence offers communication block 500 by an internal interface 502, and these status informations are transferred to PC card controller 300 by the communication protocol that operates on the electrical interface 332.As a reference clock, it is used to take a sample and imports and regularly output based on pci clock input 334 of 304 operations of the PC card power switch in the embodiment of the invention.
PC card power switch 304 comprises terminal, and for example power terminal 312, VCC/VPP power supply outlet terminal 309, and positioning indicator 313.Agreement comprises the routine information that is used for controlling PC card power supply status, and these information provide to PC card power switch block 504 by an internal interface 503.
Figure 6 shows that the PC card power switch communication protocol of EPSI_A signal in the embodiment of the invention.Communication protocol is to be used for by the communication of PC card controller 300 to 304 of power switches.24 clocks shown in Fig. 6 have been formed a communication frame, and based on the embodiment of the invention, the pci clock source is used as a reference clock.In the EPSI_A frame, the PC card controller judges that the EPSI_A terminal is a low level.
24 clocks in all EPSI_A frames are the output cycle, therebetween PC card controller 300 according to Fig. 6 in the corresponding to value of protocol information that provides judge the EPSI_A terminal.To not confirm in this agreement that phase place designs into, that is, power switch is not confirmed the reception of information communication in each frame.EPSI_A unit in the communication protocol of the present invention is an one-way data agreement, and data are only with a direction transmission in this agreement.An one-way data agreement can comprise that is confirmed a phase place, because affirmation itself is not counted as data itself.
The cycle (having listed 8 cycles among the figure) that several communication REQ# signal conditions are arranged in the EPSI_A frame.Do like this is in order to reduce the delay when switch transmits this information, because too much REQ# postpones to produce great negative effect, for example performance degradation.In addition, in the present embodiment, the status information of REQ# signal is transmitted in clock 1 and at thereafter per four clocks once.If clock signal period is 30 nanoseconds (ns), the delay of REQ# signal condition is exactly 120 nanoseconds so.The delay of INTA# signal and SPKR# signal condition is 24 * 30 nanoseconds, for example, and 720 nanoseconds.
In addition, the cycle of a reservation here can be used for enlarging easily the number of terminals that transfers to power switch, perhaps can be used as test.The cycle of communication prior art type PC card power supply control information sends slot VCC and slot VPP usually asks to power switch, perhaps the total ban power switch.
Figure 7 shows that PC card power switch communication protocol based on EPSI_B signal in the embodiment of the invention.The communication protocol of EPSI_B is to be used for by power switch 304 to PC card controller 300 transmission information.26 clocks shown in Fig. 7 have been formed a communication frame, and based on one embodiment of the present of invention, the pci clock source is used as reference clock.In the EPSI_B frame, PC card controller 300 and PC card power switch 304 are changed to a high-impedance state (for example, Hi-Z) with EPSI_B.
The EPSI_B frame comprises several cycles of being judged by PC card power switch 304, and some cycles of being judged by PC card controller 300.EPSI_B unit in the communication protocol is a bi-directional data agreement, and data can transmitted in both directions in this agreement.PC card power switch 304 starts frame and transmits CD1# in the whole cycle in frame, CD2#, VS1, the status information of VS2 and GNT#.Whether PC card controller 300 is only communicated by letter judges VS1 and/or VS2 signal.The judgement of VS1 and/or VS2 signal is carried out when PC card of having inserted when induction and power supply requirement.The communication cycle that keeps in the EPSI_B agreement provides a method for enlarging the number of terminals that transfers to power switch easily, perhaps can be used as test.
The cycle that several communication GNT# signal conditions are arranged in the EPSI_B frame.Do like this is in order to reduce the delay when switch transmits this information, because too much REQ# postpones to produce great negative effect, for example performance degradation.
The reversal periods that is provided is to be used for avoiding switching bus conflict when judging the EPSI_B terminal at equipment room.For bidirectional protocol, comprise the one-way data agreement that contains a two-way confirmation phase place, can be under the situation of a high-impedance state at equipment usually with protocol signal, realize one and have the pull-up resistor that is in the logic high protocol signal.Furtherly, for last equipment usually by drive protocol signal make its be discharged into the front wheel driving of a Hi-Z state its to a logic high.This method in common is used to describe as Fig. 7 in our priority protocol about EPSI_B.
With reference to one embodiment of the present of invention, when there not being clock when operation, power switch can asynchronous judgement EPSI_B terminal be used for an initial frame (for example, representing first start cycle).In the prior art, power switch communication protocol does not have asynchronous paths.Yet, to add this feature and be in order to satisfy as a user and be in the situation of inserting a PC card when a low power supply status and pci clock quit work in system.Especially, when this kind situation takes place, block induction block 402 and will judge a signal asynchronous initial pci clock.If the CD/VS terminal is transferred to power switch, power switch must be carried out a similar functions so.In agreement, the asynchronous judgement of EPSI_B that is drawn by power switch will impel the PC card controller to come initial pci clock by traditional mode.
As mentioned above, 8 PC card controller signals, for example, CD/VS signal 307 (CD1#, CD2#, VS1#, and VS2#), the status information of SPKR# signal, the status information of INTA# and REQ# signal, and the state of GNT# all are passed to PC card power switch 304.Compare with a conventional PC card controller, can be reduced based on the number of pins or the terminal of PC card controller 300 in the embodiment of the invention.Therefore, PC card controller 300 can be packaged in the encapsulation of a low pin count, can help packaging cost and/or area like this.In addition, can strengthen new feature and under situation, provide the specific function terminal based on the PC card controller in an alternative embodiment of the invention, because some terminals are transmitted to a PC card power switch by a PC card controller number of pins and/or encapsulation minimum influence.
In addition, be illustrated in figure 8 as a PC card power switch communication protocol based on EPSI signal in an alternative embodiment of the invention.The communication protocol of EPSI is the information that is used for transmitting by between power switch 304 to the PC card controllers 300.In this embodiment, intellignet card fetch logic and flash media card reader logic are used as special function logic and are integrated in the PC card controller 300.As shown in the figure, the EPSI signaling protocol comprises SC_RST, SCCDN, SCIO_IN, SCIO_OEN, SCIO_OUT, SCPSB etc. and the relevant signal of smart card IO signal, and MC3VN, MC_LED, MCWPN, MSCDN etc. and the relevant signal of media card IO signal.Therefore, the terminal of these signals can be by 304 transmission of PC card controller 300 to PC card power switches.
Shown in Figure 9, be a method based on one embodiment of the present of invention, it is used for controlling or operating PC card connection to a computer system.In the step 910 of method 900, a PC card is connected to computer system.Computer system can comprise a main bus, for example a pci bus and a PCI high-speed bus (Express Bus), and it is to be used for communicating with other elements of computer system, for example, CPU, and storer.Computer system comprises that one is used to receive the PC card and connects the PC card connector of PC card to main bus.
In step 920, a PC card power switch is the existence that is used to detect the PC card.Based on one embodiment of the present of invention, the existence of PC card detects by card and the voltage induced signal is detected, for example, and CD/VS signal (CD1#, CD2#, VS1#, and VS2#).In case the PC card exists, and for example, is inserted in the PC card connector, power supply just will be provided to the PC card by PC card power switch.
In step 930, a communication interface and a communication protocol of operation are the communication that is used between PC card controller and the PC card power switch on it.In one embodiment of the present of invention, the status information of three control signals (for example, the status information of INTA#, the status information of REQ#, and the status information of GNT#), the status information of SPKR#, and the status information of CD/VS signal is transmitted between PC card controller and the PC card power switch.
In step 940, the PC card is connected on the main bus of computer system.In one embodiment of the present of invention, main bus is observed the PCI standard.The signal of defined declaration in the PCI standard, it comprises the status information of INTA#, the status information of REQ#, and the status information of GNT#, these signals are transmitted between PC card power switch and the main bus, and remaining is defined the signal that is illustrated in the PCI standard and is transmitted between PC card controller and the main bus.In other words, the signal of the signal of PC card power switch and PC card controller for the PC card to the connection of computer system main bus and operate together.
Though the description of preamble and accompanying drawing are as a special embodiment of the present invention, should be noted that various interpolation, modification and replacement all may be utilized under the situation that does not break away from spirit and scope, and be defined as following claim.It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in use of the present invention, many external forms, structure is arranged, ratio, material, element, and assembly and otherwise modification all can be used, and this is particularly suitable for particular surroundings and enforcement demand under the situation that does not break away from the principle of the invention.So the embodiment that this paper discloses is as illustrative and non-limiting and considered that comprehensively claim scope of the present invention is to be illustrated by accessory claim and their law equivalence, and be not limited to the description of preamble.
Claims (38)
1, a kind of PC clamp system is applicable to connect PC card to a computer system, and described PC clamp system comprises:
A PC card controller, it connects by PC card connector and operation PC card; And
A PC card power switch is used for power supply being provided and exporting at least one control signal for operating the PC card for the PC card.
2, PC clamp according to claim 1 system is characterized in that: PCI standard v2.3 and PC card standard, version 8.0 are observed by described PC clamp system.
3, PC clamp according to claim 1 system is characterized in that: described control signal comprises that a card detects and the voltage induced signal.
4, PC clamp according to claim 1 system, it is characterized in that: described control signal is an audio driver control signal.
5, PC clamp according to claim 1 system, it is characterized in that: described control signal is a look-at-me.
6, PC clamp according to claim 1 system, it is characterized in that: described control signal is an arbitrating signals.
7, PC clamp according to claim 1 system is characterized in that: described PC card power switch receives an input control signal.
8, PC clamp according to claim 7 system, it is characterized in that: described input control signal comprises an arbitrating signals.
9, PC clamp according to claim 1 system, it is characterized in that: described PC card controller further comprises an intellignet card fetch logic, be used to be connected to a smart card, and described PC card power switch contains at least one smart card control signal and is used for the operative intelligence card.
10, PC clamp according to claim 1 system, it is characterized in that: described PC card controller further comprises a flash media card reader logic, be used for being connected to a flash media card, and described PC card power switch contains at least one media card control signal and is used for the operating flash media card.
11, PC clamp according to claim 1 system, it is characterized in that: the status information of described control signal transfers to described PC card power switch by described PC card controller.
12, PC clamp according to claim 11 system, it is characterized in that: the status information of described control signal transfers to described PC card controller by described PC card power switch.
13, PC clamp according to claim 12 system is characterized in that: card of described PC card power switch transmission detects and the status information of voltage induced signal described PC card controller extremely.
14, PC clamp according to claim 1 system is characterized in that: communicating by letter between described PC card controller and the PC card power switch is based on the communication of frame.
15, PC clamp according to claim 14 system, it is characterized in that: the status information of described control signal repeats in a frame.
16, PC clamp according to claim 14 system is characterized in that: include a plurality of clock period in the frame.
17, PC clamp according to claim 1 system is characterized in that: described PC card power switch detects according to the received card of PC card connector that is used for receiving described PC card by and the voltage induced signal comes extremely described PC card of conversion electric power.
18, PC clamp according to claim 1 system is characterized in that: described PC card power switch receives be used for the sampling input and the reference clock signal of output regularly.
19, PC clamp according to claim 1 system, it is characterized in that: described PC card power switch comprises that an asynchronous paths is used for communicating with described PC card controller.
20, a kind of computer system comprises:
A Master Bus Controller;
A CPU, it is connected to Master Bus Controller;
A PC card connector, it is connected to Master Bus Controller and is used to receive a PC card;
A PC card power switch, it is connected to PC card connector and power supply is provided and receives and transmit control signal for operation PC clamping for the PC card; And
A PC card controller, it is connected to PC card connector and operation PC card.
21, computer system according to claim 20 further comprises a display apparatus, and it is connected to Master Bus Controller.
22, computer system according to claim 20 is characterized in that: described control signal comprises that a card detects and the voltage induced signal.
23, computer system according to claim 20 is characterized in that: described control signal is an audio driver control signal.
24, computer system according to claim 20 is characterized in that: described control signal is a look-at-me.
25, computer system according to claim 20 is characterized in that: described control signal is an arbitrating signals.
26, computer system according to claim 20, it is characterized in that: the status information of described control signal is to be transmitted to PC card power switch by the PC card controller, and wherein PC card power switch transmits the status information of a card detection and voltage induced signal to the PC card controller.
27, computer system according to claim 20 is characterized in that: PC card power switch detects according to the card from PC card connector by its reception and the voltage induced signal is provided by the power supply that provides to the PC card.
28, computer system according to claim 20 is characterized in that: PC card power switch receives be used to take a sample an input and a reference clock signal of regularly exporting.
29, computer system according to claim 20 is characterized in that: when the PC card is connected to PC card connector and computer system when being in low power supply status, PC card power switch judges that is used for a signal that communicates with the PC card controller.
30, be operatively connected to the method for the PC card of computer system, described method comprises:
Provide power supply by a PC card power switch that is connected to the PC card by a PC card connector for the PC card; And
Send a control signal that is used for operating the PC card by power switch.
31, according to claim 30 being operatively connected to the method for the PC card of computer system is characterized in that: described control signal comprises that a card detects and the voltage induced signal.
32, according to claim 30 being operatively connected to the method for the PC card of computer system is characterized in that: described control signal is an audio driver control signal.
33, according to claim 30 being operatively connected to the method for the PC card of computer system is characterized in that: described control signal is a look-at-me.
34, according to claim 30 being operatively connected to the method for the PC card of computer system is characterized in that: described control signal is an arbitrating signals.
35, according to claim 30 being operatively connected to the method for the PC card of computer system comprises further receiving an input control signal that wherein this input control signal comprises an arbitrating signals.
36, according to claim 30 being operatively connected to the method for the PC card of computer system further comprises:
PC card power switch receives the status information from the control signal of a PC card controller; And
Send the status information of a card detection and voltage induced (CD/VS) signal to the PC card controller by PC card power switch.
37, according to claim 30 being operatively connected to the method for the PC card of computer system further comprises according to the card from PC card connector that is received by PC card power switch and detecting and the power supply of voltage induced conversion of signals PC card.
38, according to claim 30 being operatively connected to the method for the PC card of computer system comprises that further PC card power switch receives by its employed one be used for taking a sample input and the reference clock of regularly exporting.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US51416903P | 2003-10-24 | 2003-10-24 | |
| US60/514,169 | 2003-10-24 | ||
| US10/970,891 | 2004-10-21 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1723450A CN1723450A (en) | 2006-01-18 |
| CN100354845C true CN100354845C (en) | 2007-12-12 |
Family
ID=35912868
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB2004800017685A Expired - Fee Related CN100354845C (en) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-10-22 | PC card controller with reduced number of terminals |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN100354845C (en) |
| TW (1) | TWI252402B (en) |
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| EP0672987A2 (en) * | 1994-03-14 | 1995-09-20 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Portable PCMCIA interface for a host computer |
| US5613130A (en) * | 1994-11-10 | 1997-03-18 | Vadem Corporation | Card voltage switching and protection |
| US5758171A (en) * | 1995-07-05 | 1998-05-26 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Apparatus and method for reading back socket power status information |
| US5964850A (en) * | 1995-11-30 | 1999-10-12 | Compaq Computer Corporation | System for increasing functionality through a predefined interface by use of an interconnection device to switch a non-standard echo cancellation processor onto the interface |
| US6292858B1 (en) * | 1996-10-31 | 2001-09-18 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Electronic device, card interface and expansion card with transposition of signal and voltage lines |
| US20020152047A1 (en) * | 1999-08-05 | 2002-10-17 | Hyang-Kyun Oh | Integrated PC Card host controller for the detection and operation of a plurality of expansion cards |
| US20030038177A1 (en) * | 2001-08-21 | 2003-02-27 | Neil Morrow | Passive flash media adapter system |
| US6675303B1 (en) * | 1999-09-29 | 2004-01-06 | 2Micro International Limited | PC card controller with advanced power management reset capabilities |
| US20040156151A1 (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | Neil Morrow | Enhanced power switch device enabling modular USB PC Cards |
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2004
- 2004-10-22 CN CNB2004800017685A patent/CN100354845C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-10-26 TW TW93132645A patent/TWI252402B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0672987A2 (en) * | 1994-03-14 | 1995-09-20 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Portable PCMCIA interface for a host computer |
| US5613130A (en) * | 1994-11-10 | 1997-03-18 | Vadem Corporation | Card voltage switching and protection |
| US5758171A (en) * | 1995-07-05 | 1998-05-26 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Apparatus and method for reading back socket power status information |
| US5964850A (en) * | 1995-11-30 | 1999-10-12 | Compaq Computer Corporation | System for increasing functionality through a predefined interface by use of an interconnection device to switch a non-standard echo cancellation processor onto the interface |
| US6292858B1 (en) * | 1996-10-31 | 2001-09-18 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Electronic device, card interface and expansion card with transposition of signal and voltage lines |
| US20020152047A1 (en) * | 1999-08-05 | 2002-10-17 | Hyang-Kyun Oh | Integrated PC Card host controller for the detection and operation of a plurality of expansion cards |
| US6675303B1 (en) * | 1999-09-29 | 2004-01-06 | 2Micro International Limited | PC card controller with advanced power management reset capabilities |
| US20030038177A1 (en) * | 2001-08-21 | 2003-02-27 | Neil Morrow | Passive flash media adapter system |
| US20040156151A1 (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | Neil Morrow | Enhanced power switch device enabling modular USB PC Cards |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN1723450A (en) | 2006-01-18 |
| TW200530821A (en) | 2005-09-16 |
| TWI252402B (en) | 2006-04-01 |
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