SCSI connector and Y cable configuration which selectively provides single or dual SCSI channels on a single standard SCSI connector
US5745795A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/4022
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A SCSI controller card which includes a standard SCSI connector that can support either one or two SCSI channels, as desired. The connector can receive either a standard single channel cable or a specially designed dual channel "Y" cable to provide either one or two SCSI channels, respectively. The SCSI controller card includes logic that determines which cable is installed and switching logic which routes one or two SCSI channels to the connector accordingly. In the preferred embodiment, the SCSI adapter card includes two SCSI controllers which provide two SCSI channels. A first channel is connected directly to pins on the SCSI connector. A second channel is connected to switching logic, and a plurality of ground signals are also connected to the switching logic. The second channel is switched into the SCSI connector if the dual channel "Y" cable is attached to the connector, and the ground signals are switched into the SCSI connector if the "Y" cable is not detected. The SCSI adapter card continuously auto-senses which cable is installed at power-up, i.e., whether the dual channel "Y" cable is installed or a standard single channel cable is installed, and switches in either the s…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.