Abstract: Structure is disclosed for a non-blocking SAS architecture utilizing virtual connections between SAS devices. One embodiment comprises a SAS expander. The SAS expander comprises a plurality of physical links (PHYs) and a Virtual Connection Manager (VCM) coupled with the plurality of PHYs. The VCM exchanges information over a plurality of concurrently established virtual pathways between a first PHY of the plurality of PHYs and a second PHY of the plurality of PHYs.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for tunneling PCIe data through a SAS domain. a data system includes a SAS expander, a PCIe target device coupled to the expander, and a SAS controller communicatively coupled to a host system and the expander. The controller is operable to open a connection with the expander via the SAS protocol, and to transport packet data between the target device and the host system through the connection via the PCIe protocol. For example, the controller and the expander may be operable to buffer packets of data in the connection. The controller may issue a number of the data packets to be transferred in the connection. Then, the issued number of data packets are transported between the target device and the host system through the connection via the PCIe protocol.

Abstract: Methods and structure for determining compatibility between a pair of SAS devices for support of super-standard features of the devices. Features and aspects hereof provide for exchange of information between a first and second SAS device using SAS protocol in non-standard manners. The exchanges are designed to exchange information between compatible, enhanced device without causing protocol violation errors in either the first or second devices. The information exchanged represents super-standard features supported by each device. Mutually supported super-standard features are enabled for further communications between the devices. If no super-standard features are mutually supported or if the second device is non-enhanced, no super-standard features are enabled in further communications between the devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for coupling a storage controller to a plurality of different storage device types. One embodiment of the storage controller includes an interface operable to communicatively couple to a storage device. The storage controller also includes a processor operable to select between hardware protocol detection of the storage device and firmware protocol detection of the storage device, and to detect a protocol of the storage device when the storage device communicatively couples to the interface according to the selected protocol detection. The storage controller then selects a protocol to process input/output requests from a host based on the detected protocol of the storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for coupling a storage controller to a plurality of different storage device types. One embodiment of the storage controller includes an interface operable to communicatively couple to a storage device. The storage controller also includes a processor operable to select between hardware protocol detection of the storage device and firmware protocol detection of the storage device, and to detect a protocol of the storage device when the storage device communicatively couples to the interface according to the selected protocol detection. The storage controller then selects a protocol to process input/output requests from a host based on the detected protocol of the storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for tunneling PCIe data through a SAS domain. a data system includes a SAS expander, a PCIe target device coupled to the expander, and a SAS controller communicatively coupled to a host system and the expander. The controller is operable to open a connection with the expander via the SAS protocol, and to transport packet data between the target device and the host system through the connection via the PCIe protocol. For example, the controller and the expander may be operable to buffer packets of data in the connection. The controller may issue a number of the data packets to be transferred in the connection. Then, the issued number of data packets are transported between the target device and the host system through the connection via the PCIe protocol.

Abstract: Structure is disclosed for a non-blocking SAS architecture utilizing virtual connections between SAS devices. One embodiment comprises a SAS expander. The SAS expander comprises a plurality of physical links (PHYs) and a Virtual Connection Manager (VCM) coupled with the plurality of PHYs. The VCM exchanges information over a plurality of concurrently established virtual pathways between a first PHY of the plurality of PHYs and a second PHY of the plurality of PHYs.

Abstract: Methods and structure for determining compatibility between a pair of SAS devices for support of super-standard features of the devices. Features and aspects hereof provide for exchange of information between a first and second SAS device using SAS protocol in non-standard manners. The exchanges are designed to exchange information between compatible, enhanced device without causing protocol violation errors in either the first or second devices. The information exchanged represents super-standard features supported by each device. Mutually supported super-standard features are enabled for further communications between the devices. If no super-standard features are mutually supported or if the second device is non-enhanced, no super-standard features are enabled in further communications between the devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method which allows for substitution of standard SAS ALIGN primitives with an alternative, more spectrally pure set of SAS ALIGN primitives that allows for enhanced continuous adaptation performance. Two consenting SAS devices which are connected to each other may negotiate for and start communicating using the alternate set of ALIGN primitives, which may allow for improved jitter tolerance and reduced bit error rate.

Abstract: Methods and structure for determining compatibility between a pair of SAS devices for support of super-standard features of the devices. Features and aspects hereof provide for exchange of information between a first and second SAS device using SAS protocol in non-standard manners. The exchanges are designed to exchange information between compatible, enhanced device without causing protocol violation errors in either the first or second devices. The information exchanged represents super-standard features supported by each device. Mutually supported super-standard features are enabled for further communications between the devices. If no super-standard features are mutually supported or if the second device is non-enhanced, no super-standard features are enabled in further communications between the devices.

Abstract: Methods and structure for determining compatibility between a pair of SAS devices for support of super-standard features of the devices. Features and aspects hereof provide for exchange of information between a first and second SAS device using SAS protocol in non-standard manners. The exchanges are designed to exchange information between compatible, enhanced device without causing protocol violation errors in either the first or second devices. The information exchanged represents super-standard features supported by each device. Mutually supported super-standard features are enabled for further communications between the devices. If no super-standard features are mutually supported or if the second device is non-enhanced, no super-standard features are enabled in further communications between the devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method which allows for substitution of standard SAS ALIGN primitives with an alternative, more spectrally pure set of SAS ALIGN primitives that allows for enhanced continuous adaptation performance. Two consenting SAS devices which are connected to each other may negotiate for and start communicating using the alternate set of ALIGN primitives, which may allow for improved jitter tolerance and reduced bit error rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing data passing between an SAS/SATA device and a plurality of other devices are presented. A system includes a plurality of physical interfaces configured for passing data between the SAS/SATA device and the other devices. The system also includes a test interface, or test PHY, configured for coupling to the physical interfaces for analysis of the data passing through those physical interfaces. The test PHY may be integrally configured with the SAS/SATA device and may substantially minimize alteration of characteristic impedance caused by external analysis of the data. The system may also include a multiplexer for selectively coupling the PHYs to the test PHY.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing data transferred through an SPI data bus are presented. In one exemplary preferred embodiment of the invention, an SPI data probe imitates an SPI device coupled to the SPI data bus and receives data from the SPI data bus so that the data may be analyzed. The SPI data probe transfers the data to an analysis unit without substantially altering impedance more than the SPI device would. The SPI data probe includes connectors configured for coupling the probe to the SPI data bus and for coupling the probe to an analysis unit. The SPI data probe also includes circuitry that may buffer, compensate and deskew the data as an SPI device would.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing data passing between an SAS/SATA device and a plurality of other devices are presented. A system includes a plurality of physical interfaces configured for passing data between the SAS/SATA device and the other devices. The system also includes a test interface, or test PHY, configured for coupling to the physical interfaces for analysis of the data passing through those physical interfaces. The test PHY may be integrally configured with the SAS/SATA device and may substantially minimize alteration of characteristic impedance caused by external analysis of the data. The system may also include a multiplexer for selectively coupling the PHYs to the test PHY.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing data transferred through an SPI data bus are presented. In one exemplary preferred embodiment of the invention, an SPI data probe imitates an SPI device coupled to the SPI data bus and receives data from the SPI data bus so that the data may be analyzed. The SPI data probe transfers the data to an analysis unit without substantially altering impedance more than the SPI device would. The SPI data probe includes connectors configured for coupling the probe to the SPI data bus and for coupling the probe to an analysis unit. The SPI data probe also includes circuitry that may buffer, compensate and deskew the data as an SPI device would.