Abstract: A circuit board assembly may include a circuit board, a connector electrically and mechanically coupled to the circuit board and comprising at least one circuit board pin extending from the connector, each circuit board pin electrically coupled to a corresponding electrical trace within the circuit board, and at least one cable termination pad, each cable termination pad configured to be electrically and mechanically soldered to a corresponding wire of a cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sample analysis include applying, using a first laser source, a first beam to a sample to desorb organic material from a location of the sample and ionizing the desorbed organic material using a second laser source to generate ionized organic material. The ionized organic material is then analyzed using a mass spectrometer. A second beam from the first laser is then applied to the sample to ablate inorganic material from the location of the sample. The ablated inorganic material is then ionized using the second laser source to generate ionized inorganic material. The mass spectrometer is then used to analyze the ionized inorganic material. During analysis, one or more images of the sample may also be captured and linked to the collected analysis data.

Abstract: A floating connector assembly for an information handling system includes a first float bracket and a connector. The first float includes a bar. The connector includes a first receptacle and a first compressible component. The first compressible component is placed in physical communication with the bar of the first float bracket. In response to a force exerted on the connector, a region of the first compressible component is compressed. The connector floats with respect to the first float bracket in a direction of the force exerted on the connector.

Abstract: A universal bay system is configurable to accommodate multiple sets of devices having different form factors and maximizes space utilization. A partition may be assembled with two walls and may engage receivers in a first support plane, wherein two adjacent partitions form a bay. Each wall may be configured with device retainers to accommodate a set of processing, memory, I/O or storage devices of different form factors, power supply units (PSUs) or provide an airflow channel relative to a specific set of devices.

Abstract: A build on-demand chassis with a universal bay system that can be assembled into different configurations to support different system requirements from end users includes positionable partitions and a bay support assembly for each set of devices. A controller communicates with a microcontroller unit (MCU) in each bay support assembly to determine a slot identifier and a type of device supported by the bay support assembly to provide greater flexibility in what configurations are possible. When a processor in the information handling system sends an instruction for a type of device, the controller knows the location and capabilities of the device and manages the communication.

Abstract: A floating connector assembly for an information handling system includes a first float bracket and a connector. The first float includes a bar. The connector includes a first receptacle and a first compressible component. The first compressible component is placed in physical communication with the bar of the first float bracket. In response to a force exerted on the connector, a region of the first compressible component is compressed. The connector floats with respect to the first float bracket in a direction of the force exerted on the connector.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory express (NVMe) based storage system may include a processor; an input/output (I/O) port operatively coupled to a data network; a drive interface board (DIB), including: a PCIe switch communicatively coupled to the processor to receive signals from the processor to a plurality of NVMe storage devices; and a source clock communicatively coupled to the PCIe switch; a connector communicatively coupling the DIB to relay clock signals to a plurality of NVMe drives at a drive mid-plane baseboard; the drive mid-plane baseboard communicatively coupled to the source clock, the drive mid-plane baseboard including: a clock distribution module to receive a source clock signal from the source clock, the clock distribution modules placed at the drive baseboard to distribute the clock signals to the plurality of NVMe storage devices.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory express (NVMe) based storage system may include a processor; an input/output (I/O) port operatively coupled to a data network; a drive interface board (DIB), including: a PCIe switch communicatively coupled to the processor to receive signals from the processor to a plurality of NVMe storage devices; and a source clock communicatively coupled to the PCIe switch; a connector communicatively coupling the DIB to relay clock signals to a plurality of NVMe drives at a drive mid-plane baseboard; the drive mid-plane baseboard communicatively coupled to the source clock, the drive mid-plane baseboard including: a clock distribution module to receive a source clock signal from the source clock, the clock distribution modules placed at the drive baseboard to distribute the clock signals to the plurality of NVMe storage devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sample analysis include applying, using a first laser source, a first beam to a sample to desorb organic material from a location of the sample and ionizing the desorbed organic material using a second laser source to generate ionized organic material. The ionized organic material is then analyzed using a mass spectrometer. A second beam from the first laser is then applied to the sample to ablate inorganic material from the location of the sample. The ablated inorganic material is then ionized using the second laser source to generate ionized inorganic material. The mass spectrometer is then used to analyze the ionized inorganic material. During analysis, one or more images of the sample may also be captured and linked to the collected analysis data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sample analysis include applying, using a first laser source, a first beam to a sample to desorb organic material from a location of the sample and ionizing the desorbed organic material using a second laser source to generate ionized organic material. The ionized organic material is then analyzed using a mass spectrometer. A second beam from the first laser is then applied to the sample to ablate inorganic material from the location of the sample. The ablated inorganic material is then ionized using the second laser source to generate ionized inorganic material. The mass spectrometer is then used to analyze the ionized inorganic material. During analysis, one or more images of the sample may also be captured and linked to the collected analysis data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sample analysis include applying, using a first laser source, a first beam to a sample to desorb organic material from a location of the sample and ionizing the desorbed organic material using a second laser source to generate ionized organic material. The ionized organic material is then analyzed using a mass spectrometer. A second beam from the first laser is then applied to the sample to ablate inorganic material from the location of the sample. The ablated inorganic material is then ionized using the second laser source to generate ionized inorganic material. The mass spectrometer is then used to analyze the ionized inorganic material. During analysis, one or more images of the sample may also be captured and linked to the collected analysis data.

Abstract: Described is an electronics system and method for marking and faulting I/O ports of an I/O module in the electronics system. Each I/O port has an associated light-emitting system that is capable of emitting a plurality of different colors. At least one color is blinked at a first rate to produce a first status indicator for the I/O port. Each color of the different colors is alternately blinked at a second rate to produce a second status indicator for the I/O port. One of the status indicators is for marking the I/O port and the other status indicator is for faulting the I/O port. In one embodiment, the light-emitting system includes a plurality of differently colored LEDs. In another embodiment, the light-emitting system includes only one multicolor LED. Various I/O technologies including Fiber Channel, Fiber Connectivity, Ethernet, serial attached SCSI, IPsec, Infiniband, and iSCSI, can implement marking and faulting.

Abstract: A technique controls a network switch having a set of ports. The technique involves configuring the network switch to provide an initial set of communications paths between the ports. The initial set of communications paths defines an initial communications path topology within the network switch. The technique further involves receiving a configuration command which identifies a particular operating mode of the data storage system after configuring the network switch to provide the initial set of communications paths within the network switch. The technique further involves reconfiguring the network switch to provide a new set of communications paths between the ports in response to the configuration command. The new set of communications paths (i) defines a new communications path topology within the network switch, the new communications path topology being different than the initial communications path topology, and (ii) supports the particular operating mode of the data storage system.

Abstract: Described are electronics systems and methods for distributing a limited number of lanes of a PCI Express-based processor (CPU) module among a plurality of PCI Express-based I/O modules with which the CPU module is in communication. The CPU module receives a code from each I/O module over a sideband interface between that I/O module and the CPU module. The coded signal represents a link-width capability of the I/O module. The CPU module is configured to allocate a link width to each I/O module based on the fixed number of lanes and the link-width capability as represented by the coded signal received from that I/O module. The link between CPU module and each I/O module is trained in accordance with the link width allocated to that I/O module.

Abstract: An I/O interface module of a storage system controller includes a management controller and power regulation and monitoring/control circuitry responsible for management of the I/O expansion module and pluggable I/O interface modules, which each include electrical power regulating circuitry to power circuit components. Temperature regulation components (e.g. fan and temperature sensor) provide a cooling airflow and monitor operating temperature. A controller works with the power regulation and monitor/control circuitry and temperature regulation components to perform first and second management activities concurrently. The first management activity involves managing the environmental operating conditions of the I/O expansion module itself, including (i) monitoring and regulating operating temperature and (ii) monitoring and controlling electrical power regulating circuitry of the power regulation and monitor/control circuitry.

Abstract: Described are electronics enclosures having an I/O (input/output) module, a CPU (central processing unit) module having a root complex, and a pluggable, field-replaceable interconnect module electrically connected to the root complex of the CPU module by a first set of differential signal pairs and to the I/O module by a second set of differential signal pairs. The field-replaceable interconnect module provides a serialized communication path between the first and second sets of differential signal pairs for carrying serialized differential signaling corresponding to communications exchanged between the root complex of the CPU module and the I/O module.

Abstract: A data storage system has a circuit board module, a set of Serial ATA devices, and a set of Serial ATA cables connecting the circuit board module to the set of Serial ATA devices. The circuit board module includes a circuit board, multiple host circuits mounted to the circuit board and multiplexer circuitry mounted to the circuit board. Each host circuit is configured to perform data storage operations on the behalf of an external client. The multiplexer circuitry is configured to (i) receive control signals from the host circuits and (ii) provide communications pathways between the host circuits and the set of Serial ATA devices in response to the control signals. Such an embodiment alleviates the need for multiple versions of disk drive assemblies and their associated costs.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a storage processor that is configured to perform load and store operations on a storage array on behalf of external devices. The data storage system also includes a controller that isolates communication between the external devices when coupled to the storage array via the storage processor. The controller further maintains a set of registers that store information associated with the data storage system and allows the storage processor to access the register via an I2C bus. The system utilizes an error detection procedure to allow detection of errors in the data transmitted between the controller and the storage processor. During operation, a checksum value is transmitted between the controller and the storage processor using the I2C bus during a register write or read procedure. The controller and the storage processor utilize the checksum value in an error detection procedure to detect the data errors resulting in transmission of the data by the I2C bus.

Abstract: A storage system assembly includes a storage processor (SP) module and an input/output (I/O) expansion module disposed between an and opening of an enclosure and a midplane circuit board. The SP module includes (i) a storage processor, (ii) first I/O interface modules at the end opening, and (iii) circuit traces of high-speed serial data links, the circuit traces including first circuit traces interconnecting the storage processor with the first I/O interface modules, and second circuit traces interconnecting the storage processor with the circuit traces of the midplane.

Abstract: In a highly available storage system, an enclosure includes first and second power supplies, and first and second controller boards. Each of the first and second controller boards includes first and second serial bus controllers. First and second serial buses are coupled to both of the first and second serial bus controllers on each of the first and second controller boards. The first serial bus is coupled to the first power supply, while the second serial bus coupled to the second power supply. The first and second serial buses are used for exchanging enclosure management and environmental information between the first and second power supplies and the first and second controller boards. The first and second serial buses are coupled to isolation switches so that redundant modules can operate if a serial bus controller fails.