Abstract: An interface comprises a storage device controller that controls data flow from a Serial ATA bus to a storage device. A configurable bridge circuit is configured in one of a plurality of operating modes including a device bridge mode, and converts Parallel ATA information received on a Parallel ATA bus to Serial ATA information output to the Serial ATA bus when in the device bridge mode.

Abstract: A method of communicating over a bus is disclosed. The bus includes a write address channel, a write channel, and a read address channel. The method includes sending an address from a sending device to a receiving device via the write address channel. The method further includes concurrently sending a portion of a payload to the receiving device via the write channel and another portion of the payload to the receiving device via the read address channel. When sending multiple sequential portions of the payload via the bus concurrently, the sending device is configured to give data ordering preference to the write channel over the read address channel by sending a first sequential portion of the multiple sequential portions via the write channel and sending a subsequent sequential portion of the multiple sequential portions via the read address channel.

Abstract: A striping system and method for distributing a payload of data across a plurality of parallel USB cables from a source to a destination is described. The striping devices reside in the architecture of a source and destination connected by more than one standardized USB bus cable. The striping devices increase the bandwidth between the source and the destination by providing more lanes of data traffic and utilizing segmentation and reassembly to ensure that the data is split up and then reassembled correctly into the original stream at the destination. The striping devices allow for user determination of usability along with self diagnostics as to the source's and destination's ability to handle striping. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first connector configured to fit into a first socket in a processing system, the first connector and first socket conforming to a first standard, a second socket configured to accept a memory module therein, the second socket and the memory module conforming to a second standard, a memory buffer module communicatively coupled to the first connector and the second socket, the memory buffer module configured to receive signals associated with the first standard from the first connector and output signals associated with the second standard to the second socket, and a virtualization module communicatively coupled to the memory buffer module, the first connector, and the second socket, the virtualization module configured to receive first initialization data associated with the second standard from the second socket and output second initialization data associated with the first standard to the processing system.

Abstract: A serial interface circuit which can adapt to various frame formats to reduce the load on a CPU. The interface circuit includes a rewritable control register used for programmably specifying a field structure to be targeted for processing out of structures of fields preceding a data field of a frame as defined by a communication protocol. The interface circuit analyzes the field structure preceding the data field according to a setting of the control register. When a destination of a received frame is determined to match an expected value, the interface circuit issues a request for the CPU to process the data field information. After a setting is made on the control register, the serial interface circuit can adapt to various formats of frames as defined by a communication protocol according to the information held there, and can also analyze a destination.

Abstract: The core chips each include a timing control circuit that outputs a timing signal synchronized with the outputting of parallel data to the interface chip. The interface chip includes a data input circuit that captures parallel data in synchronization with the timing signal. With this arrangement, the timing to output the parallel data and the timing to capture the parallel data are both synchronized with the timing signal generated in the core chips. Therefore, even if there is a difference in operation speed between each core chip and the interface chip, the parallel data can be accurately captured on the interface chip side.

Abstract: Provided is a physical layer circuit. Upon detecting a connection recognition signal from an output of a differential input terminal, a first detection circuit outputs a first control signal for allowing an upper layer to output a power supply control signal for turning on a power supply of each of a receiver circuit and a recovery conversion circuit. Upon detecting “input absent” based on the bit configuration of parallel data, a second detection circuit outputs a second control signal for allowing the upper layer to output the power supply control signal for turning off the power supply of each of the receiver circuit and the recovery conversion circuit. A control circuit turns off a power supply of the first detection circuit when the second detection circuit detects “input present”, and turns on the power supply of the first detection circuit when the second detection circuit detects “input absent”.

Abstract: A data processing unit includes a main controller configured to receive data requirement information from a host and to generate processing information based on the data requirement information; a pre-processing unit configured to pre-process n types of data output from the main controller according to the processing information and to generate n types of pre-processed data where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2; and a pre-processed data storing unit configured to store the n types of pre-processed data and to output the n types of pre-processed data in an output order determined based on the processing information, wherein the processing information includes information about at least one of type, format, order, size and transmission mode of the n types of pre-processed data.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a portable computing device is provided. The accessory includes a keypad and a pedestal to house the control circuitry and provide mechanical stability for the accessory. The accessory includes a metal mass that performs dual functions of providing the mass for stability as well as acting as a ground connection for the keypad and other control circuitry. The accessory includes a connector for interfacing with a portable computing device and an additional connector for interfacing with an additional accessory.

Abstract: Serial communications circuitry is provided that has bonded first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer circuitry. The circuitry may include state machine and barrel shifter circuitry that conveys data between the bonded FIFO circuitry and a bonded serial communications path. The bonded FIFO circuitry and the bonded lane may increase the efficiency of the serial communications circuitry by reducing the number of empty data bytes buffered in the FIFO circuitry and conveyed over the serial communications path.

Abstract: An expander device and method for transmitting serial input/output (SIO) data between an initiator device and a plurality of target devices. The expander device includes a processor/controller configured to receive a master data stream from an initiator device and to transmit a returning master data stream to the initiator device. The expander device includes a plurality of target master ports coupled to the processor/controller and configured to transmit split data streams to corresponding target devices coupled thereto and to receive returning split data streams from the target devices. The processor/controller splits the master data stream, based on its data, into a plurality of split data streams, and directs the split data streams to the target master ports based on the data in the split data streams. The processor/controller also assembles a plurality of returning split data streams into the returning master data stream and transmits the returning master data stream to the initiator device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a hybrid interface for serial and parallel communication. An embodiment of a method includes initializing a first apparatus for transmission of data to or reception of data from a second apparatus, switching an interface for the first apparatus to a first mode for a parallel interface, the parallel interface including a first plurality of pins, and transmitting or receiving parallel data in the first mode via the first plurality of pins. The method further includes switching the interface of the first apparatus to a second mode for a serial interface, the serial interface including a second plurality of pins, the first plurality of pins and the second plurality of pins both including an overlapping set of pins, and transmitting or receiving serial data in the second mode via the second plurality of pins.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a networking module, a first block receives a serial digital media signal, and provides a parallel digital media signal based on the serial digital media signal. A second block, operative with the first block, stores the parallel digital media signal in a corresponding slot in an outgoing frame, and sends the outgoing frame in response to receiving an incoming frame.

Abstract: Parallel data generated by demultiplexing received serial data such as in a Serial RapidIO (SRIO) data stream can become misaligned as a result of, e.g., clock tolerance compensation (CTC) processing at the receiver. In one embodiment of the invention, the misaligned parallel data is properly aligned based on a mapping from each of a finite number of possible previous alignment conditions (e.g., words A-D) to a corresponding finite number of possible subsequent alignment conditions (e.g., words B-G). The change from a previous alignment condition to a different subsequent alignment condition is recognized by determining the location of start-of-packet (SOP) or start-of-control-symbol (SOC) data in the parallel data stream.

Abstract: The core chips each include a timing control circuit that outputs a timing signal synchronized with the outputting of parallel data to the interface chip. The interface chip includes a data input circuit that captures parallel data in synchronization with the timing signal. With this arrangement, the timing to output the parallel data and the timing to capture the parallel data are both synchronized with the timing signal generated in the core chips. Therefore, even if there is a difference in operation speed between each core chip and the interface chip, the parallel data can be accurately captured on the interface chip side.

Abstract: A system and method for calibration of serial links using serial-to-parallel loopback. Embodiments of the present invention are operable for calibrating serial links using parallel links thereby reducing the number of links that need calibration. The method includes sending serialized data over a serial interface and receiving parallel data via a parallel interface. The serialized data is looped back via the parallel interface. The method further includes comparing the parallel data and the serialized data for a match thereof and calibrating the serial interface by adjusting the sending of the serialized data until the comparing detects the match. The adjusting of the sending is operable to calibrate the sending of the serialized data over the serial interface.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide for capability identification for accessories coupled with a mobile computing device. During capability identification an accessory can request capability information from a mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the accessory can specifically request capability information associated with a specific lingo. In response, the mobile computing device can respond with a message that indicates the capabilities of the mobile computing device that are supported. In some embodiments, the capabilities can be those capabilities associated with the specified lingo. In some embodiments, if the mobile computing device does not support a lingo, then the mobile computing device can respond to the request from the accessory with a negative acknowledgement.

Abstract: A physical layer device (PLD) includes a first serializer-deserializer (SERDES) device and a second SERDES device. Each SERDES device includes an analog portion with a serial port that is configured to communicate serial data with various network devices, and a digital portion that is configured to communicate parallel data with other various network devices. The PLD includes a first signal path that is configured to route serial data signals between the analog portions of the SERDES devices, bypassing the digital portions of the SERDES devices. Therefore, the SERDES devices can directly communicate serial data without performing parallel data conversion. A second signal path is configured to route recovered clock and data signals between the analog portions of the SERDES devices, but still bypassing the digital portions of the SERDES devices. The recovered clock and data signals are then regenerated before being transmitted over a network device.

Abstract: A wireless signal transmitting/receiving apparatus for a semiconductor system is disclosed The apparatus includes a serializer/deserializer (SERDES) circuit and a coupling pad. The SERDES circuit outputs a parallel input signal as a serial signal during transmission, and outputs a serial input signal as a parallel signal during reception. The coupling pad generates an inductively coupled wireless signal according to the serial signal outputted from the SERDES circuit, and provides a signal generated by inductive coupling with an external device as the serial input signal of the SERDES circuit.

Abstract: An approach for automatically sharing a tape drive in a heterogeneous computing environment that includes a first computer and second computer is presented. The first computer receives a message that includes a shared tape drive identifier, a source port identifier of the second computer, and a reservation status change for the tape drive. Based on the tape drive identifier, the first computer determines that the tape drive is connected to the first computer. The source port identifier is determined to not identify any host bus adapter installed in the first computer. In response to the first computer determining that the reservation status change indicates a reservation or a release of the tape drive for the second computer, the first computer sets the tape drive offline or online, respectively, in an application executing in the first computer.

Abstract: A method for transferring plural pieces of packet data from a plurality of terminal devices to a host device with an IEEE 1394 serial bus. The method includes transferring the plural pieces of packet data from the terminal devices to a transfer controller, storing the plural pieces of packet data in a buffer memory of the transfer controller, and sequentially transferring the packet data stored in the buffer memory to the host device. This method substantially increases data transfer speed without increasing the transfer speed at nodes and cables when transferring data with the IEEE 1394 serial bus.

Abstract: A multi-port memory device includes a plurality of serial I/O data pads for providing a serial input/output (I/O) data communication; a plurality of ports for performing the serial I/O data communication with external devices through the serial I/O data pads; a plurality of banks for performing a parallel I/O data communication with the ports; a plurality of first data buses for transferring first signals from the ports to the banks; a plurality of second data buses for transferring second signals from the banks to the ports; and a switching unit for connecting the first data buses with the second data buses in response to a control signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the host controller includes a transmission circuit that encodes transmission data, according to a serial transfer format, a reception circuit that decodes received data, according to the serial transfer format, a variable frequency clock generator that generates a card clock and a transfer clock, a card clock output unit that outputs the card clock to the memory card, an interface unit that includes both a transmission interface that transfers the transmission data from the transmission circuit to the memory card in synchronization with the transfer clock and a reception interface that transfers received data from the memory card to the reception circuit in synchronization with the transfer clock, and a setting register circuit that holds setting information for an input/output method of the memory card, and controls frequency of the transfer clock generated by the variable frequency clock generator, based on the setting information.

Abstract: A memory system with serialized data transfer. The memory system includes within a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices. The memory controller receives a plurality of write data values from a host and outputs the write data values as respective serial streams of bits. Each of the memory devices receives at least one of the serial streams of bits from the memory controller and converts the serial stream of bits to a set of parallel bits for storage.

Abstract: A multiport memory architecture, systems including the same and methods for using the same. The architecture generally includes (a) a memory array; (b) a plurality of ports configured to receive and/or transmit data; and (c) a plurality of port buffers, each of which is configured to transmit the data to and/or receive the data from one or more of the ports, and all of which are configured to (i) transmit the data to the memory array on a first common bus and (ii) receive the data from the memory array on a second common bus. The systems generally include those that embody one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The methods generally relate to writing blocks of data to, reading blocks of data from, and/or transferring blocks of data across a memory.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a networking module, a first block receives a serial digital media signal, and provides a parallel digital media signal based on the serial digital media signal. A second block, operative with the first block, stores the parallel digital media signal in a corresponding slot in an outgoing frame, and sends the outgoing frame in response to receiving an incoming frame.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for deserializing non-packet-based video information received using a physical Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface and providing a high definition output signal to a video port (e.g., an HD video port, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.) using the deserialized video information.

Abstract: A control device having an output pin expansion function and an output pin expansion method thereof are provided. The method includes: connecting at least a shift register unit having a plurality of data transmission pins to a control unit such that the shift register unit can receive strobe signals, a multi-bit data stream, clock signals and enable signals generated by the control unit; sending an enable signal by the control unit so as to allow the shift register unit to shift and store each bit of a multi-bit data stream according to a clock signal generated by the control unit; and sending a strobe signal by the control unit so as to allow the shift register unit to output the multi-bit data in parallel format as opposed to the received serial format through the plurality of data transmission pins, thereby allowing a processing device to interface with more devices (such as LED state indicators) than its fixed number of dedicated output pins would conveniently allow, thus saving costs and board space.

Abstract: A data transferring circuit includes a data transferor configured to transfer data through a plurality of parallel data transfer lines, wherein the data transferor is further configured to partially invert the transferred data in response to an inversion signal, and a pattern sensor configured to enable the inversion signal when data transferred through the parallel data transfer lines is to cause three sequential lines to transfer data of a logic value through a middle one of the sequential lines and data of an inverse of the logic value through the remaining ones of the sequential lines or cause all of the transfer lines to transfer data of a same logic value.

Abstract: A method for writing digital contents to a plurality of storage card by using a mina console comprises the following steps of: placing a storage card to a respective one of a plurality of card writing devices; writing digital contents to a storage card through a Hub by using a main console; a plurality of cards can be recorded by serially connection or parallel connection so as to increase the writing speed; and placing the storage cards into card readers; and whether the process of writing digital contents is successful being displayed. A system for the same is also included.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically sharing a tape drive in a heterogeneous computing environment that includes a first computer and second computer. The first computer receives a message that includes a shared tape drive identifier, a source port identifier of the second computer, and a reservation status change for the tape drive. Based on the tape drive identifier, the first computer determines that the tape drive is connected to the first computer. The source port identifier is determined to not identify any host bus adapter installed in the first computer. In response to the first computer determining that the reservation status change indicates a reservation or a release of the tape drive for the second computer, the first computer sets the tape drive offline or online, respectively, in an application executing in the first computer.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device includes a detection channel module, a sampling module, a control unit, a data path selector and a memory device. A user will be able to selectively enable the desired detection channels and store only data collected from enabled channels. The data collected from the detection channels are in serial data form. The device utilizes a serial-parallel shifter in its sampling module to convert the serial data to parallel data bytes. Two indicators in the storage unit of the memory device allow users to effectively store the parallel data bytes in designated locations. The innovative data conversion and storage methods of this invention will significantly conserve memory space that otherwise will be occupied by data from the disabled channels and allow accurate and efficient reading of the stored data.

Abstract: A high-speed SerDes transmitter which may reduce power supply introduced data dependent jitter. Instead of trying to make the output voltage of a power supply of a pre-driver constant, the output voltage of the power supply is returned to its normal level periodically, e.g., after each bit time to follow the data rate of an input data stream. A complementary pre-driver may be used to create a complementary data stream which may be at the same data rate as the input data rate. The complementary data stream may have a transition when there is no transition between two consecutive bits in the input data stream, but have no transition when there is a transition in the input data stream. As a result, there is a transition at the power supply during each bit time, and the power supply may be drawn back to its normal level during each bit time. Consequently, the power supply variation is periodic at the beat of the input data rate, and the power supply may have the same impact on each data bit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to odd and even frame combination data path architectures are described. In one embodiment, a logic may include a buffer and a parallel input, serial output (PISO) logic that may be utilized for transferring data between a source and a destination. The logic may be utilized for transferring the data whether or not the data is transmitted in accordance with single ended or differential signals. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the host controller includes a transmission circuit that encodes transmission data, according to a serial transfer format, a reception circuit that decodes received data, according to the serial transfer format, a variable frequency clock generator that generates a card clock and a transfer clock, a card clock output unit that outputs the card clock to the memory card, an interface unit includes a transmission interface that transfers the transmission data from the transmission circuit to the memory card in synchronization with the transfer clock, and a reception interface that transfers received data from the memory card to the reception circuit in synchronization with the transfer clock, and a setting register circuit that holds setting information concerning an input/output method of the memory card, and controls frequency of the transfer clock generated by the variable frequency clock generator, based on the setting information.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is disclosed to include a SATA Switch allowing for access by two hosts to a single port SATA device Further disclosed are embodiments for reducing the delay and complexity of the SATA Switch.

Abstract: A UTI (Universal Transport Interface) is provided in the invention, the UTI comprising a transceiving unit, configured to receive and transmit data which accords with USB (Universal Serial Bus) specification; a detecting unit, configured to detect the data received by the transceiving unit to determine whether to convert the received data into data which accords with a particular specification; and a conversion unit, configured to convert the received data into the data which accords with the particular specification when determining that the received data should be converted into the data which accords with the particular specification, and to convert the transmission data which accords with the particular specification into data which accords with the USB specification for transmission via the transceiving unit. With the UTI provided in the invention, service cards may be separated from devices for DTV and various value-added services may be provided.

Abstract: A program disposed on a computer readable medium, having a main program with a first routine for issuing commands in an asynchronous manner and a second routine for determining whether the commands have been completed in an asynchronous manner. An auxiliary program adapts the main program to behave in a synchronous manner, by receiving control from the first routine, waiting a specified period of time with a wait routine, passing control to the second routine to determine whether any of the commands have been completed during the specified period of time, receiving control back from the second routine, and determining whether all of the commands have been completed. When all of the commands have not been completed, then the auxiliary program passes control back to the wait routine. When all of the commands have been completed, then the auxiliary program ends.

Abstract: Programs having a given instruction-set architecture are executed on a multiprocessor system comprising a plurality of processors, for example of a VLIW type, each of said processors being able to execute, at each processing cycle, a respective maximum number of instructions. The instructions are compiled as instruction words of given length executable on a first processor. At least some of the instruction words of given length are converted into modified-instruction words executable on a second processor. The operation of modifying comprises in turn at least one operation chosen in the group consisting of: splitting the instruction words into modified-instruction words; and entering no-operation instructions in the modified-instruction words.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for transmitting data between a serial data bus and working modules, wherein the data bus is connected to a bus node in a bus module having at least two serial communication ports which are connected to ports of a hub connected to or integrated with the bus node, wherein the communication ports are designed for the connection and for the power supply of the working modules and wherein at least one of the working modules is designed as an actuator and/or I/O module comprising a serial-to-parallel converter for the parallel connection of actuators and/or I/O interfaces provided on or connected to the respective working module.

Abstract: A converter device supplied with a drive power from an image forming apparatus instead of an external device and an image forming apparatus connected to the converter device. The converter device is provided between the image forming apparatus including a power supply port and a USB port and a host device including a parallel port such that data is transmitted and received between the image forming apparatus and the host device. The converter device is connected to the image forming apparatus through the power supply port and a power cable to be supplied with power. The converter device is operated with the supplied power to convert data output from the USB port into data capable of being input to the parallel port or convert data output from the parallel port into data capable of being input to the USB port.

Abstract: A controller for interfacing a host and storage device is provided. The controller includes a channel that can receive data from the storage device in a first format and store the data in an intermediate buffer memory in a second format. The channel includes conversion logic that converts data from the first format to the second format and from the second format to the first format depending upon whether data is being read or written from the buffer memory. The conversion logic uses a shuttle register and shuttle counter for aligning data that is being transferred between the storage device and the buffer memory by appropriately concatenating data to meet the first and second format requirements. The first format is based on 10-bit symbols and the second format is based on 8-bits.

Abstract: Provided is a bus signal encoding/decoding method and apparatus. The bus signal encoding method includes receiving a bus signal, XOR-operating all but the first byte sequence of the bus signal in a bitwise manner, inverting the even-numbered byte sequences of the XOR-operated bus signal in a bitwise manner, and serializing the inverted bus signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit to serialize local data and selectively merge it with serialized feed-through data into a serial data stream output that includes a parallel-in-serial-out (PISO) shift register, a multiplexer, and a transmitter. The PISO shift register serializes parallel data on a local data bus into serialized local data. The multiplexer selectively merges serialized local data and feed-through data into a serial data stream. The transmitter drives the serial data stream onto a serial data link. In another embodiment of the invention, a method for a memory module includes receiving an input serial data stream; merging local frames of data and feed-through frames of data together into an output serial data stream in response to a merge enable signal; and transmitting the output serial data stream on a northbound data output to a next memory module or a memory controller. Other embodiments of the invention are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A dual-interface connector for providing an interface to a storage device and an interface to a host and for connecting between a storage device and a host includes a storage device interface, for connecting with a storage device, and a host interface, for connecting with a host. A controller is operable in at least two distinct modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the controller enables a session to be opened, by the host, between the storage device and the host when the storage device is connected to the storage device interface and the host is connected to the host interface. In a second mode of operation, the controller is operative, if an open session exists between the storage device and the host, to maintain the open session between the storage device and the host even after the storage device is disconnected from the storage device interface.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for implementing parallel usage of a plurality of non-volatile input/output (I/O) devices can include an interface configured to receive, from a source, a source request and a first memory coupled to the interface. The first memory can be configured to store a data unit specified by the source request. The system can include an I/O device controller coupled to the interface. The I/O device controller can be configured to correlate the source request with a plurality of I/O device requests and initiate sending of the plurality of I/O device requests to the plurality of non-volatile I/O devices in parallel. The system also can include a decoder coupled to the first memory and the I/O device controller. The decoder can be configured to receive data from the plurality of non-volatile I/O devices in parallel.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a Flash-based memory module having high-speed serial communication. The Flash-based memory module comprises, among other things, a plurality of I/O modules, each configured to communicate with an external device over one or more external communication links, a plurality of Flash-based memory cards, each comprising a plurality of Flash memory devices, and a plurality of crossbar switching elements, each being connected to a respective one of the Flash-based memory cards and configured to allow each one of the I/O modules to communicate with the respective one of the Flash-based memory cards. Each I/O module is connected to each crossbar switching element by a high-speed serial communication link, and each crossbar switching element is connected to the respective one of the Flash-based memory cards by a plurality of parallel communication links.

Abstract: The development of transmission technologies have resulted in a several tens Gbps optical transmission system. In the present invention, a low-speed FPGA receives a plurality of several Gbps signals according to a very high-speed parallel converting unit and the SFI-5, divides each of the plurality of several Gbps signals into a plurality of several hundreds (Mbps) parallel signals, and processes the plurality of several hundreds (Mbps) parallel signals in order to constitute an SFI-5 receiving end.

Abstract: A data transfer control device including: a link controller which analyzes a packet received through a serial bus; a packet detection circuit which detects completion or start of packet reception based on analysis result of the received packet; first and second packet buffers into which the packet received through the serial bus is written; and a switch circuit which switches a write destination of the received packet. When a Kth packet has been written into one of the first and second packet buffers and completion of reception of the Kth packet or start of reception of a (K+1)th packet subsequent to the Kth packet has been detected, the switch circuit switching the write destination of the (K+1)th packet to the other of the first and second packet buffers.

Abstract: The semiconductor integrated circuit having a transmitter circuit for transmitting a supplied external data signal DIN. The transmitter circuit includes: a transmitter flip-flop circuit having a reference clock CK as an input for holding the external data signal DIN in synchronization with the reference clock CK; a frequency divider circuit for multiplying the frequency of the reference clock CK by n/m (m and n are integers equal to or more than 2 and m>n); a data signal buffer circuit for transmitting a data signal held by the transmitter flipflop circuit; and a clock buffer circuit for transmitting the output of the frequency divider circuit.