Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Morrel O Jones, Iii

Michael C Sanders

Stephen F Contreras

John T Spencer

Usha Rajagopalan

A computer system with various component modules with each of the modules interconnected with a single midplane board, thereby eliminating the need for ribbon cables to interconnect between the modules. One of the modules includes an embedded controller and associated data bus. An in-line connector is coupled in the data bus which receives either a jumper connector or interconnect connector. The interconnect connector intercepts the data bus from the embedded controller and transfers connection to a user added controller. The interconnect connector can operate in two modes, a single mode and a differential mode. The interconnect connector includes logic circuitry that determines the type of controller connected and places the interconnect connector in the appropriate mode. If the logic circuitry detects that a single-ended controller is connected to the interconnect connector, a quick switch, which is connected to one wire of the data bus, is closed, thereby grounding the one wire. If the logic circuitry detects that a differential controller is connected to the interconnect connector, the quick switch places the quick switch in an open position, disconnecting the one wire of the data bus from ground.

Combined single-ended/differential data bus connector

The present invention makes it possible to safely hot plug a PCI expansion slot connected to a 64 bit, 66 Megahertz PCI bus. The PCI bus comprises a plurality of signal lines connecting a PCI Controller to the expansion slot. On each signal line there is a quick switch disposed thereon to detach the signal line from the expansion slot. A bus_enable signal activates the quick switches and a Req_64 mode line to detach or attach the PCI bus from the expansion slot. The Req_64 mode line bypasses the quick switches and goes through a crossbar switch. The crossbar switch has its open state set to an active low wherein the 64 bus mode is thereby communicated to the card as an active low even when the other signal lines of the bus are in a high disconnected state.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Morrel O Jones, Iii