Switching method and system for multiple GPU support

US7340557B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• VIA Technologies, Inc. · TW

Inventors

• Dehai Kong · Sunnyvale, US
• Wen-Chung Chen · Taoyuan, TW
• Ping Chen · Beverly Hills, US
• Irene Chih-Yiieh Cheng · San Jose, US
• Tatsang Mak · Milpitas, US
• Xi Liu · Shanghai, CN
• Li Zhang · Beijing, CN
• Li Sun · Shanghai, CN
• Chenggang Liu · 红钢城街道, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 15, 2005
• Grant date: Mar 4, 2008
• Expiry date: Mar 28, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G09G5/363
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for supporting multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) includes a first communication path coupled to a root complex device and a first connection point of a first GPU. A second communication path is coupled to the root complex device and a first set of switches. The first set of switches is configured to route communications between the root complex device to either a second connection point of the first GPU via a second set of switches or to a first connection point of a second GPU. The second set of switches is coupled to a second connection point of the first GPU. The second set of switches is configured to route communications to and from the second connection point of the first GPU and to either the root complex device via the first set of switches or to a second connection point of the second GPU.