Patent · US Expired

Reconfigurable, multi-function data storage system controller selectively operable as an input channel adapter and a data storage unit adapter

US5335352A · kind A · utility

79Cited by
4References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 24, 1990
Grant dateAug 2, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 24, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D10/00
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A reconfigurable, multi-function data controller for use in a data storage system is selectively adaptable for use as a data channel adapter or a storage device adapter. The controller includes a data channel interface having at least one independent, bi-directional channel interface, for transmitting and receiving commands, data and status with one or more host computers. At least one memory interface transmits and receives commands and data to and from at least one high speed semiconductor memory unit. Additionally, a data storage interface controls and transmits data to and from one or more data storage devices such as a disk drive. A multi-function controller director is coupled to the data channel interface, the at least one memory interface, and the data storage device interface, for directing the reconfigurable multi-function data controller to function as either a data channel adapter or as a storage device adapter in response to selected commands received by the director.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.