Computer system architecture using a proximity I/O switch
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorsGary R. Lauterbach, Robert J. Drost
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a proximity I/O switch, which is configured to transfer data between the components in a computer system. This proximity I/O switch is comprised of multiple switch chips, which are coupled together through capacitive coupling. This enables the multiple switch chips to communicate with each other without being constrained by the limitations of conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms. The multiple switch chips in the proximity I/O switch are also configured to communicate with components in the computer system through conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms.
Claims21
An apparatus for transferring data between components in a computer system, comprising:
- a proximity I/O switch configured to transfer data between the components in the computer system;
- wherein the proximity I/O switch is comprised of multiple switch chips which are coupled together and are configured to collectively function as a switch;
- wherein the multiple switch chips are configured to communicate with each other through capacitive coupling, whereby the multiple switch chips can communicate with each other without being constrained by the limitations of conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms;
- and
- wherein the multiple switch chips in the proximity I/O switch are configured to communicate with the components in the computer system through conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms.
A computer system including a proximity I/O switch for transferring data, comprising:
- a processor;
- a memory;
- a proximity I/O switch configured to transfer data between the components in the computer system, wherein the components include the processor and the memory;
- wherein the proximity I/O switch is comprised of multiple switch chips which are coupled together and are configured to collectively function as a switch;
- wherein the multiple switch chips are configured to communicate with each other through capacitive coupling, whereby the multiple switch chips can communicate with each other without being constrained by the limitations of conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms;
- and
- wherein the multiple switch chips in the proximity I/O switch are configured to communicate with the components in the computer system through conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms.
A method for transferring data between components in a computer system, comprising:
- transferring data between the components in the computer system through a proximity I/O switch;
- wherein the proximity I/O switch is comprised of multiple switch chips which are coupled together and are configured to collectively function as a switch;
- wherein the multiple switch chips communicate with each other through capacitive coupling, whereby the multiple switch chips can communicate with each other without being constrained by the limitations of conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms;
- and
- wherein the multiple switch chips in the proximity I/O switch communicate with the components in the computer system through conventional non-capacitive communication mechanisms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.