TWI489287B - Multiplexer device and switching method therefor - Google Patents

Description

Multiplex switching device and switching method thereof

A multiplex switching device and a switching method thereof, in particular to a multiplex switching device capable of automatically determining and selecting one of a plurality of control signals and a switching method thereof.

The Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) protocol is a standard protocol commonly used in electronic communication. In each electronic component with I2C protocol, an address is configured, which allows the master to perform internal data reading and data setting of the I2C-compliant electronic device. However, since there may be multiple sets of control loop designs with I2C protocol on a system, a common design method is to use a multiplexer (MUX) to transmit multiple sets of data signals and clock signals (Clock Signal). The signals are connected together. Then, through an optional control signal, the electronic device with the I2C protocol to be read is controlled to achieve the switching control design of the multi-electronic device.

However, on large systems, because the system is large and may have multiple masters, there is usually no single master-slave I2C protocol control loop architecture. For example, the South-Bridge Chip (SB Chip) or the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) can control the same I2C protocol loop, and most I2C-compliant electronic devices do not support multiple masters. The design of the control loop from the architecture. therefore, If the two masters simultaneously control the same I2C-compliant loop, a system error will result.

However, in large-scale systems, this type of solution is to place a series resistor on each of the selected signal paths of the master, and the system control requirements can be preset in the engineer design system phase. When the control is determined, the control signal loop that does not need to be controlled is disconnected. This method ensures that the control loop with the I2C protocol does not go wrong, but it lacks flexibility in design and debugging.

The invention provides a multiplex switching device and a switching method thereof, thereby solving the problem that a plurality of master terminals simultaneously propose control conflicts.

The present invention proposes a multiplex switching method comprising the following steps. Receiving the first control signal and the second control signal. It is determined whether the first control signal and the second control signal are received. When the first control signal and the second control signal are received, it is determined whether the first control signal and the second control signal both have a control request. When it is determined that the first control signal and the second control signal both have a control request, the control signal protection program is executed to switch the first bus bar to connect with one of the plurality of second bus bars, and issue an error warning signal. When it is determined that neither the first control signal nor the second control signal has a control request, the backup processing program is executed, and an error warning signal is issued.

In an embodiment, the foregoing multiplex switching method further includes the following steps. When it is determined that the first control signal and the second control signal are not received, the first control signal and the second control signal are respectively output. And respectively switching the first bus bar and one of the corresponding plurality of second bus bars according to the first control signal and the second control signal.

In an embodiment, the foregoing multiplex switching method further includes the following steps. Recording the first control signal and the second control signal.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned control request is in accordance with an internal integrated circuit agreement or a conforming peripheral interface bus protocol.

In an embodiment, the step of controlling the signal protection program includes the following steps. It is determined whether the first control signal or the second control signal is output according to the priority list. When it is determined that the first control signal or the second control signal is output according to the priority list, the first control signal or the second control signal set in the priority order list is output. When it is determined that the first control signal or the second control signal is not selected according to the priority list, the preset first control signal or the second control signal is output.

The invention provides a multiplex switching device comprising a control unit and a switching unit. The control unit includes a switching signal monitoring unit, a control signal protection unit, a backup processing program unit, an error signal warning unit, and a recording unit. The switching signal monitoring unit is configured to receive the first control signal and the second control signal to determine whether the first control signal and the second control signal are received. When it is determined that the first control signal and the second control signal are received, the switching signal monitoring unit determines whether the first control signal and the second control signal both have a control request. The control signal protection unit is coupled to the switching signal monitoring unit for performing a control signal protection program to control the output of the first control signal or the corresponding control signal when the first control signal and the second control signal have a control request. The second control signal and an error warning signal is issued. The backup processing unit is coupled to the switching signal monitoring unit for executing the backup processing program and issuing an error warning signal when the first control signal and the second control signal do not have a control request.

The error signal warning unit is coupled to the control signal protection unit and the backup processing program The unit is configured to receive an error warning signal and generate an error warning message according to the error warning signal. The switching unit is coupled to the control unit. The switching unit has a first bus bar and a plurality of second bus bars, and the switching unit switches the first bus bar and the corresponding plurality of second according to the corresponding first control signal or the second control signal output by the switching signal monitoring unit One of the bus bars is connected.

In an embodiment, when it is determined that the first control signal and the second control signal are not received, the switching signal monitoring unit outputs the first control signal and the second control signal, respectively. The switching unit respectively switches the first bus bar and one of the corresponding plurality of second bus bars according to the first control signal and the second control signal.

In an embodiment, the aforementioned control unit further includes a recording unit. The recording unit is coupled to the switching signal monitoring unit for recording the first control signal and the second control signal.

In an embodiment, when the control signal protection unit executes the control signal protection program, the control signal protection unit determines whether to output the first control signal or the second control signal according to the priority list. When it is determined that the first control signal or the second control signal is selected according to the priority list, the control signal protection unit controls the switching signal monitoring unit to output the first control signal or the second control signal set in the priority order list. When it is determined that the first control signal or the second control signal is not selected according to the priority list, the control signal protection unit controls the switching signal monitoring unit to output the preset first control signal or the second control signal.

In this embodiment, the foregoing switching unit is a multiplexer, and the control unit is a complex programmable logic device.

The multiplexer switching device of the present invention and the switching method thereof, when the first control signal and the second control signal are received, determine whether there is a control request in the first control signal and the second control signal, and then execute the control signal according to the control signal Protector or backup handler to switch between The first bus of the unit is connected to one of the plurality of second bus bars and issues an error warning signal. In this way, it is possible to automatically determine and select an appropriate control signal for corresponding switching, and solve the problem that multiple control elements simultaneously raise control rights.

The features and implementations of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

100‧‧‧Multiplex switcher

110‧‧‧Control unit

112‧‧‧First control signal

114‧‧‧Second control signal

116‧‧‧Error warning message

120‧‧‧Switch unit

122‧‧‧First bus

124‧‧‧Second bus

1101‧‧‧Switch signal monitoring unit

1102‧‧‧Control signal protection unit

1103‧‧‧Backup handler unit

1104‧‧‧Error signal warning unit

1105‧‧‧recording unit

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a multiplex switching device of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the multiplex switching method of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a detailed flowchart of step S240 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is another flow chart of the multiplex switching method of the present invention.

The detailed features and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the Detailed Description of the Detailed Description of the <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> </ RTI> </ RTI> <RTIgt; The objects and advantages associated with the present invention can be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Please refer to "FIG. 1", which is a schematic diagram of the multiplex switching device of the present invention. The multiplexer switching device 100 of this embodiment is applicable to a computer device or a server to perform a corresponding switching process on a control signal generated by a main control component in a computer device or a server.

The multiplex switching device 100 includes a control unit 110 and a switching unit 120. The control unit 110 includes a switching signal monitoring unit 1101, a control signal protection unit 1102, a backup processing program unit 1103, an error signal warning unit 1104, and a recording unit 1105.

The switching signal monitoring unit 1101 is configured to receive the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 to determine whether the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 are received. When it is determined that the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 are received, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 may further determine whether the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 both have a control request.

The control signal protection unit 1102 is coupled to the switching signal monitoring unit 1101, and is configured to execute a control signal protection program to control the output of the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 when determining that both the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 have a control request. The first control signal 112 or the second control signal 114 sends an error warning signal.

The backup processing unit 1103 is coupled to the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 for executing the backup processing program and issuing an error warning signal when it is determined that the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 do not have a control request. The error signal warning unit 1104 is coupled to the control signal protection unit 1103 and the backup processing program unit 1104 for receiving an error warning signal and generating an error warning message 116 according to the error warning signal.

The switching unit 120 is coupled to the control unit 110, and the switching unit 120 has a first bus bar 122 and a plurality of second bus bars 124. The switching unit 120 is configured to switch the first bus bar 122 to be connected to one of the corresponding plurality of second bus bars 124 according to the corresponding first control signal 112 or the second control signal 114 output by the control unit 110. In this embodiment, the switching unit 120 is, for example, a multiplexer, and the control unit 110 is, for example, a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD).

In addition, the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 are output by, for example, a main control component of a computer device or a server. And, the main control element includes, for example, a south bridge wafer, a substrate Management Board (Baseboard Management Controller, BMC), etc. For example, the first control signal 112 is output by the south bridge chip, for example, the second control signal 114 is output by the substrate management controller, but is not limited thereto.

In the foregoing, only the internal components of the multiplexer switching device 100 and their coupling relationships will be briefly described. Other embodiments will be described below in conjunction with the multiplex switching method, and the operation of the multiplex switching device 100 will be further described.

Please refer to "FIG. 2", which is a flowchart of the multiplex switching method of the present invention. First, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 receives the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 (step S210). Next, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 determines whether the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 are received (step S220). When it is determined that the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 are received, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 further determines whether the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 both have a control request (step S230). In this embodiment, the control request may be, but is not limited to, conforming to an internal integrated circuit protocol or conforming to a Serial Peripheral Interface Bus (SPI Bus) protocol.

When it is determined that the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 both have a control request, the control signal protection unit 1102 performs a control signal protection process, so that the control signal protection unit 1102 controls the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 to output a corresponding first control. Signal 112 or second control signal 114. Accordingly, the control signal protection unit 1102 controls the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 to output a corresponding first control signal 112 or second control signal 114 for switching the first bus bar 122 to be connected to one of the plurality of second bus bars 124. (Step S240). Thereafter, the control signal protection unit 1102 issues an error warning signal (step S250), and the error warning signal is output to the error signal warning unit 1104.

On the other hand, when it is judged that neither the first control signal 112 nor the second control signal 114 has a control request, the backup processing program unit 1103 executes the backup processing program (step S260). Then, the control signal protection unit 1102 also issues an error warning signal (step S250), and the error warning signal is output to the error signal warning unit 1104.

In this embodiment, the backup processing program may be a program in which the backup processing program unit 1103 switches the control of the control unit 110 to another backup control unit, instead of the control function of the control unit 110, but Not limited to this. Thereafter, the error signal warning unit 1104 generates an error warning message 116 according to the error warning signal. This error warning message 116 can be, but is not limited to, displayed via a display device.

In step S220, when it is determined that the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 are not received, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 outputs the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114, respectively (step S270). Then, the switching unit 120 switches the first bus bar 122 to one of the corresponding second bus bars 124 according to the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 (step S280).

For example, when the first control signal 112 is received before the second control signal 114, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 first outputs the first control signal 112 to control the switching unit 120 to switch the first bus bar 122 and the second. The first bus bar in the bus bar 124 is connected. Then, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 outputs the second control signal 114 to control the switching unit 120 to switch the first bus bar 122 to the third bus bar in the second bus bar 124, but is not limited thereto.

Please refer to "FIG. 3", which is a detailed flowchart of step S240 of "FIG. 2". When the control signal protection unit 1102 performs a control signal protection program, the control signal protection list The element 1102 first determines whether to output the first control signal 112 or the second control signal 114 according to the priority list (step S310). When it is determined that the first control signal 112 or the second control signal 114 is selected according to the priority list, the control signal protection unit 1102 controls the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 to output the first control signal 112 or the second set in the priority order list. Control signal 114 (step S320).

In this embodiment, the priority order list is, for example, a priority order list preset by the engineer according to the importance of the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114. Taking the priority output order of the first control signal 112 before the second control signal 114 as an example. When the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 receives the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114, the control signal protection unit 1102 controls the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 to output the first control signal 112 to the switching unit 120. Conversely, the priority output sequence of the second control signal 114 is preceded by the first control signal 112. When the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 receives the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114, the control signal protection unit 1102 controls The signal monitoring unit 1101 is switched to output the second control signal 114 to the switching unit 120, but is not limited thereto.

When it is determined that the first control signal 112 or the second control signal 114 is selected according to the priority list, the control signal protection unit 1102 controls the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 to output the preset first control signal 112 or the second control signal 114 to The switching unit 120 (step S330). In this embodiment, the preset first control signal 112 is used as the preset output selection of the switching signal monitoring unit 1101. Therefore, when the first control signal 112 or the second control signal 114 is received, the control signal protection unit is controlled. 1102 controls the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 to output the preset first control signal 112 to the switching unit 120.

Please refer to "FIG. 4", which is another flow of the multiplex switching method of the present invention. Figure. First, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 receives the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 (step S410). Next, the recording unit 1105 records the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 (step S490) to avoid data loss. Thereafter, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 determines whether the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 are received (step S420).

When it is determined that the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 are received, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 determines whether the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 both have a control request (step S430). When it is determined that both the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 have a control request, the control signal protection unit 1102 performs a control signal protection process to switch the first bus bar 122 to be connected to one of the corresponding second bus bars 124. (Step S440). Then, the control signal protection unit 1102 issues an error warning signal (step S450), and the error warning signal is output to the error signal warning unit 1104.

On the other hand, when it is judged that neither the first control signal 112 nor the second control signal 114 has a control request, the backup processing program unit 1103 executes the backup processing program (step S460). Then, the control signal protection unit 1102 issues an error warning signal (step S450), and the error warning signal is output to the error signal warning unit 1104.

In step S420, when it is determined that the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 are not received, the switching signal monitoring unit 1101 outputs the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114, respectively (step S470). Then, the switching unit 120 switches the first bus bar 122 and one of the corresponding second bus bars 124 according to the first control signal 112 and the second control signal 114 (step S480).

The multiplexer switching device and the switching method thereof are determined by the first control signal and the second control when the first control signal and the second control signal are received. Whether there is a control request in the signal signal, and then executing the control signal protection program or the backup processing program, the first bus bar of the switching switching unit is connected with one of the plurality of second bus bars, and an error warning signal is issued. In this way, it is possible to automatically determine and select an appropriate control signal for corresponding switching, so as to solve the problem that multiple control elements (ie, the south bridge chip and the substrate management controller) simultaneously propose control conflicts.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above in the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. It is within the scope of the invention to be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Please refer to the attached patent application for the scope of protection defined by the present invention.

Claims (10)

A multiplex switching method includes: receiving a first control signal and a second control signal; determining whether the first control signal and the second control signal are received; and determining the first control signal and the second control signal When being received, determining whether the first control signal and the second control signal both have a control request; when determining that the first control signal and the second control signal both have the control request, performing a control signal protection procedure, Switching a first bus bar to connect with one of the plurality of second bus bars and issuing an error warning signal; and when the first control signal and the second control signal do not have the control request, executing one The backup processing program issues the error warning signal; wherein the backup processing program switches control of a control unit to a backup control unit. The multiplex switching method of claim 1, further comprising: when determining that the first control signal and the second control signal are not received, respectively outputting the first control signal and the second control signal; The first control signal and the second control signal respectively switch the first bus bar to be connected to one of the corresponding second bus bars. The multiplex switching method of claim 1, further comprising: recording the first control signal and the second control signal. The multiplex switching method of claim 1, wherein the control request is in accordance with an internal integrated circuit agreement or a sequence peripheral interface bus protocol. The multiplex switching method of claim 1, wherein the step of controlling the signal protection program comprises: determining whether to output the first control signal or the second control signal according to a priority list; when determining according to the priority order list When the first control signal or the second control signal is selected to be output, the first control signal or the second control signal set in the priority order list is output; and when it is determined that the first control output is not selected according to the priority order list When the control signal or the second control signal is received, a preset first control signal or the second control signal is output. A multiplexer switching device includes: a control unit, comprising: a switching signal monitoring unit, configured to receive a first control signal and a second control signal to determine whether the first control signal and the second control signal are Receiving; determining that the first control signal and the second control signal are received, determining whether the first control signal and the second control signal each have a control request; and a control signal protection unit coupled to the switching signal monitoring a unit, configured to: when determining that the first control signal and the second control signal have the control request, performing a control signal protection procedure to control the switching signal monitoring unit to output the corresponding first control signal or the second Controlling the signal and issuing an error warning signal; a backup processing unit coupled to the switching signal monitoring unit for performing a control when the first control signal and the second control signal do not have the control request Backup the handler and issue the error warning signal; An error signal warning unit coupled to the control signal protection unit and the backup processing program unit for receiving the error warning signal and generating an error warning message according to the error warning signal; and a switching unit coupled to the a control unit, the switching unit has a first bus bar and a plurality of second bus bars, and the switching unit switches the first control signal according to the first control signal or the second control signal output by the switching signal monitoring unit The bus bar is connected to one of the corresponding second bus bars; wherein the backup processing program switches the control of the control unit to a backup control unit. The multiplexer switching device of claim 6, wherein the switching signal monitoring unit outputs the first control signal and the second control signal respectively when the first control signal and the second control signal are not received, and The switching unit switches the first bus bar to one of the corresponding second bus bars according to the first control signal and the second control signal. The multiplexer switching device of claim 6, wherein the control unit further comprises: a recording unit coupled to the switching signal monitoring unit for recording the first control signal and the second control signal. The multiplexer switching device of claim 6, wherein when the control signal protection unit executes the control signal protection program, the control signal protection unit determines whether to output the first control signal or the second according to a priority order list. Controlling the signal; when it is determined that the first control signal or the second control signal is selected according to the priority list, the control signal protection unit controls the switching signal monitoring unit to output the first control signal set in the priority order list Or the second control signal; when it is determined that the first output is not selected according to the priority list The control signal protection unit controls the switching signal monitoring unit to output a preset first control signal or the second control signal when the control signal or the second control signal is received. The multiplex switching device of claim 6, wherein the switching unit is a multiplexer, and the control unit is a complex programmable logic device.