Self-initializing chipset
US6636962B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/60
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A chipset in a computer system is initialized without intervention by the processor, thereby reducing the time required to boot the computer system. The system includes a nonvolatile storage device for storing configuration data for the chipset. Logic circuitry loads the configuration data into configuration registers in the chipset. The storage device and logic circuitry can be integrated into the chipset. A data pump can be used to load the configuration data into the configuration registers by serially pumping configuration data onto a scan line coupled to the configuration registers. In a system having more than one chipset, the chipsets can be initialized simultaneously to further reduce the amount of time required to boot the system. The configuration data can be downloaded into the storage device when the system is manufactured, or it can be downloaded from the processor the first time the system is powered up.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.