Connected module type distinguishing apparatus and method
US6026469A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2212/601
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A module type distinguishing apparatus and method for differentiating between modules based upon the presence or absence of a pulling resistor at a specified pin connection of the modules. A high impedance pulling resistance is connected to the line and is subject to sensing while a tri-state mode of operation is initiated in the module. The presence or absence of the pulling resistor in the module is detected and recorded in a register. Differentiation between module types is accomplished based upon the binary state of the data in the register. In a particularized implementation, industry standard L2 cache modules are distinguished as to tag bit size depending on the presence or absence of a pulling resistor as detected during tri-state operation of a tag output pin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.