Apparatus and methods for simplified SSP link layer processing
US7529877B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 5, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/385
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus and associated methods for a simplified Serial SCSI Protocol (“SSP”) link layer within a SAS device. Features and aspects hereof provide a simplified SSP link layer processor to enable cost reduction and simplification of Serial Attached SCSI (“SAS”) devices requiring only limited SSP exchange functionality. In one embodiment, a SAS expander may incorporate the simplified SSP link layer features and aspects hereof to permit simple management of SAS devices coupled to the expander or coupled downstream through other expanders. The simplified SSP link layer suffices for simple SAS management functions while reducing cost and complexity of the SAS expander. Features and aspects hereof may be implemented with minimal customized circuits for SSP link layer management in the SAS device. In one aspect hereof, the simplified link layer processing may be implemented as a simplified state machine model in combinatorial logic coupled with any requisite memory components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.