System for connecting either of two supply voltage type PCI cards using a common connector socket
US5911050A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K2201/10196
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multiple supply voltage peripheral component interconnect (PCI) connector is disclosed which replaces connectors that are keyed for a specific signaling voltage. A single connector receives all current types of PCI keyed card edge connectors and supplies the correct signaling voltage thereto. The type of PCI card is identified and the appropriate signaling voltage is switched to the signaling power input (Vio) using industry standard conditions at selected pin locations rather than using unique keying of cards and connectors to assure a match between the signaling voltage required by the card and the signaling voltage supplied at the connector. As shown, detection and control circuitry senses the presence of grounded or open conditions at selected pin locations indicative of the type card present in the connector and switches the signaling power supply to the correct voltage source. Also, the connector is buffered to enable connection to a single logical PCI bus irrespective of the signaling voltage supplied to the card. Further, the buffered connectors can be replicated to enable numerous cards, with any mix of signaling voltages, to be attached to the single logical bus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.