Lsi Corporation

Lsi Logic Corporation

Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited

Luke Everett McKay

Brian K Einsweiler

Steven F Faulhaber

Carl Edward Gygi

Brian J Varney

Craig R Chafin

Charles D Henry

Roger T Clegg

Lakshmana M Anupindi

Jason McGinley

Moby J Abraham

Brandon L Hunt

Warren R Volz

Matthew John Pujol

A bridge device tracks each individual IO between two PCIe busses and provides a translated address based on a scatter/gather list. Tracking provides a natural means of scatter/gather list translation to and from a native PCIe storage protocol's scatter/gather list (or other scatter/gather like mechanism). In addition, the awareness of the IO context provides a means for detecting erroneous transactions that would otherwise cause a system error and/or data corruption to be aborted preventing those error scenarios.

Per IO direct memory access redirection

Methods and structure for enabling re-training of a DDR memory controller in a storage device without loss of data in the DDR memory devices of the cache memory in response to detecting failure of the memory subsystem during operation of the storage device. In response to detecting a failure of the memory subsystem, the memory controller is reset without resetting the memory devices. The memory controller is then re-trained for operation with the memory device. During the re-training, self-refresh mode of the memory devices is disabled and manual refresh is performed by a processor of the storage device to thereby retain any user data in the memory device.

Methods and structure to assure data integrity in a storage device cache in the presence of intermittent failures of cache memory subsystem

A system and method for improving message passing between a computer and peripheral devices is disclosed. The system and method for improving message passing between a computer and peripheral devices incorporate data checking on the command/message data and each scatter gather list element. The method in accordance with the present disclosure enables a peripheral device to check the integrity of the message and ownership of the scatter gather list element before the data is processed.

Scatter gather list for data integrity

Methods and structure for directly coupling SATA hosts (SATA initiators) with SATA target devices through a SAS fabric and an enhanced SAS expander supporting such direct couplings. The enhanced SAS expander comprises SATA/STP connection logic to open a SAS (STP) connection between a directly attached SATA host and a SATA target device in response to receipt of an FIS from the host or target while no connection is presently open. The opened connection is closed after expiration of a predetermined timeout period of inactivity between the connected host and target. Thus, simpler, less costly SATA hosts and SATA target devices may be utilized while gaining the advantage of SAS architecture flexibility in configuration and scalability. SATA hosts may be coupled through the SAS fabric with a larger number of SATA target devices and multiple SATA hosts may be coupled with the SAS fabric.

Methods and structure for communicating between a SATA host and a SATA target device through a SAS domain

Apparatus and methods for improved high-speed communication by exchanging low-speed information regarding the high-speed exchanges over the same communication medium. In one exemplary embodiment, a communication device includes a high-speed transceiver adapted to exchange high-speed data with another device via a communication medium using high-frequency signals. The device also includes a low-speed component adapted to exchange low-speed information over the same communication medium as low-frequency signals. The low-frequency signals may be applied as common mode signals to a differential communication path so as to not interfere with the high-speed data exchanges. In another embodiment, a high-pass filter may be included in the device to remove the low-frequency signals before the high-speed data is applied to the high-speed transceiver. Responsive to receipt of the low-speed information, a device may adjust parameters of the transceiver to improve the high-speed data exchanges.

Apparatus and methods for improved high-speed communication systems

Methods and systems for improving communication throughput of a link between SAS/SATA devices. The link, initially established at a first signal rate, is one of a SATA link and a SAS link. A SAS/SATA device increments one of the at least one counter based on an error sensed on the link. Based on the at least one counter, the SAS/SATA device determines whether to maintain the first signal rate. The link is re-established at a second signal rate based on the determination such that the second signal rate is lower than the first signal rate.

Methods and systems for improving communication throughput of storage links

Methods and structure described herein provide for detecting data inversions between electronic devices in communication with one another and automatically correcting those that inversions. An electronic device may be configured with a receiver that is configured for receiving differential serial data from a transmitter of another electronic device. The differential serial data is formatted according to a particular communication protocol associated with the electronic devices. The receiver detects an invalid sequence in the received differential serial data, such as an inverted SAS primitive, and automatically change the receive logic of the receiver such that subsequent received differential serial data is in the proper polarity. The transmitting device does not require notification of the change in receive logic.

Automatic correction of data polarity on a differential serial bus

Apparatus, systems, and methods for testing SAS cables by applying a signal to one end of a SAS cable, receiving the signal from another end of the SAS cable, and generating an output of information relating to the testing. The testing apparatus may test one or more configuration characteristic of the SAS cable, including, for example a crossover status, a polarity status of transmit ('TX') wires, and a polarity status of receive ('RX') wires.

Apparatuses and methods for determining configuration of SAS and SATA cables

Methods and apparatus to enhance performance of Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) disk drives in Serial-Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) domains are described. In one embodiment, a data packets and/or commands communicated in accordance with SAS protocol may be converted into SATA protocol. Other embodiments are also described.

Growing community of inventors

Rose Hill, KS, United States of America

Luke Everett McKay