Abstract: Establishing, with a USB RAID controller connected to a USB hub and with USB mass storage devices connected to the USB hub and the USB RAID controller through USB connectors, the USB hub controlled by a USB host controller, a RAID array including enumerating, by the USB host controller, the USB mass storage devices, including discovering the USB RAID controller; receiving, by the USB RAID controller from a RAID console application program, an instruction to designate USB connectors as RAIDable USB connectors, the instruction including selected USB connectors; designating, by the USB RAID controller, the selected USB connectors as RAIDable USB connectors; enumerating by the USB RAID controller the USB mass storage devices connected to the RAIDable USB connectors; configuring by the USB RAID controller a RAID array, the RAID array including the USB mass storage devices; and storing, through the USB RAID controller, computer data on the RAID array.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a signal on a bi-directional universal serial bus (“USB”) circuit for boosting a signal on a USB bus disclosed. The circuit includes a first stage inverting buffer coupled to a second stage inverting buffer to form a non-inverting buffer circuit. A high pass filter is coupled in series with the non-inverting buffer circuit to provide AC coupling to the USB bus and to allow fast signal edges through the circuit. The booster circuit is arranged to improve signal quality over a USB bus to allow additional USB devices and longer USB busses to be utilized.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to digital signal transmissions and provide a novel and non-obvious fall time accelerator circuit for use in a USB interface. In one embodiment of the invention, the USB interface can include a USB port driver coupled to a host controller driver over a USB bus. The USB interface also can include a fall time accelerator circuit coupled to the USB bus between the USB port driver and the host controller driver. The fall time accelerator circuit can include a pulse signal generator coupled to an inbound signal path from the USB bus and arranged to generate a tunable pulse upon detecting a falling edge of a digital signal on the inbound signal path. The circuit further can include an active timer additionally coupled to the inbound signal path to hold the tunable pulse for a set period of time.

Abstract: A bi-directional universal serial bus (“USB”) circuit for boosting a signal on a USB bus disclosed. The circuit includes a first stage inverting buffer coupled to a second stage inverting buffer to form a non-inverting buffer circuit. A high pass filter is coupled in series with the non-inverting buffer circuit to provide AC coupling to the USB bus and to allow fast signal edges through the circuit. The booster circuit is arranged to improve signal quality over a USB bus to allow additional USB devices and longer USB busses to be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the detection of faulty CPU heat sink coupling during system power-up. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: monitoring a slope of a CPU temperature rise from initial system power-up; determining if the slope of the CPU temperature rise exceeds an expected value; and in the case that the slope of the CPU temperature rise exceeds the expected value, indicating an existence of a possible fault (PFA) related to a heat sink coupled to the CPU.

Abstract: Printed circuit boards for countering signal distortion are disclosed that include: a conductive pathway on a printed circuit board between a transmitter and a receiver, the conductive pathway comprised of traces and vias connected together for conductive transfer of a signal from the transmitter to the receiver; a parasitic element on the printed circuit board, the parasitic element having a parasitic effect that distorts the signal; and one or more passive elements mounted adjacent to the conductive pathway without connecting to the conductive pathway, the passive elements having a corrective effect to reduce the distortion from the parasitic effect on the signal.