JP2002229694A - Information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems that primary side signals of LAN are deteriorated in characteristics by signal damping caused by impedance mismatching of wiring as the LAN circuits are branched and that the LAN signals are hardly set within the criteria. SOLUTION: This device comprises a branching means 18 inserted into a wire transmission channel on the networks to branch signals on the channel into several portions of signals via a transformer, and a network controller 17 for controlling sending/receiving the signals on the channel. The branching means has plural input/output terminals. A primary side input/output terminal is connected with the signals transferred from the network controller, a first secondary input/output terminal is connected with a connecting port 19 for the networks formed on a computer body, and a second secondary input/output terminal is connected with a connecting port 32 for the networks formed on an extension unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, an information processing apparatus for forming a network and transmitting a signal, and relates to an information processing apparatus for branching a signal transmitted on the network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of laptop or notebook personal portable computers which are easy to carry and can be operated by a battery have been developed. This kind of portable computer is configured so that an expansion unit can be mounted as needed for expanding its function. The expansion unit has a drive bay accommodating a drive device such as a hard disk drive, an expansion slot for mounting a mouse, a printer, and the like, a LAN line connection port, and the like. Conventionally, in order to provide a LAN line connection port in the expansion unit, the primary side signal of the LAN is wired from the portable computer body to the board.
By dividing one LAN signal into two or more connection ports by a method of branching directly with an electric wire or the like, both connection ports are selectively used.

However, in a local area network (LAN), the speed of a signal to be transmitted has been increasing, and communication at a transfer rate of 100 Mbps is now possible. As communication speeds up and LAN lines are routed, the effects of transmission delay and signal reflection / attenuation on communication increase. In particular, in the case of the wiring of the LAN line from the portable computer main unit to the extension unit, communication may become impossible due to deterioration of the characteristics of the primary signal.

[0004]

The above-mentioned prior art L
There is a problem that the characteristics of the primary side signal of the LAN are deteriorated due to signal attenuation due to impedance mismatch of the wiring due to branching by the wiring of the AN line, and it is difficult to keep the LAN signal within the standard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide an information processing apparatus capable of further reducing signal characteristic deterioration caused by branching of a transmitted signal.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus comprising an information processing apparatus main body and an extension unit for adding optional devices, wherein the information processing apparatus is inserted into a wired transmission path on a network. Branching means for branching a signal on the wired transmission path into a plurality of signals via a transformer;
A network controller that controls transmission and reception of signals on the wired transmission path, wherein the branching unit has a plurality of input / output terminals, and a primary-side input / output terminal receives signals transmitted from the network controller. Connected, a first input / output terminal on the secondary side is connected to a connection port of a network provided in the information processing apparatus main body, and a second input / output terminal on the secondary side is connected to a network provided in the extension unit. It is characterized by being connected to the mouth.

[0007] Because of such a configuration, it is possible to further reduce signal characteristic degradation caused by branching of a transmitted signal.

Further, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus main body,
In an information processing apparatus including an extension unit for adding an optional device, the information processing apparatus is inserted into a wired transmission path on a network, and splits a signal on the wired transmission path into a plurality of signals via a transformer. A branching unit built in the extension unit; and a network controller for controlling transmission and reception of signals on the wired transmission path, wherein the branching unit has a plurality of input / output terminals and a primary-side input / output terminal Is connected to a signal transmitted from the network controller, a first input / output terminal on the secondary side is connected to a connection port of a network provided in the information processing apparatus main body, and a second input / output on the secondary side is provided. The terminal is connected to a connection port of a network provided in the extension unit.

With such a configuration, when a LAN controller is not required in the information processing apparatus main body, a LAN environment can be easily constructed in the information processing apparatus main body by connecting an extension unit later.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the branching means branches into at least three signals.

With such a configuration, by providing a plurality of LAN ports, the degree of freedom in selecting a user-friendly port can be increased.

[0012]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This computer system is a notebook-type or laptop-type portable computer that can be driven by a battery. On its system board, a processor bus 1, internal buses 2, 3, 4, and a connection bus 5 for function expansion are provided. Wired. An expansion connector 10a provided in the main body of the portable computer has a docking unit (Dock) shown in FIG.
er) 30 is connected by the user as needed.
The expansion connector 10a includes at least five connector elements 101 to 105 as illustrated.

CPU 11 and C
PU-PCI bridge device 12, main memory 13, display controller 14, DSP interface gate array (DSP IF GA) 15, PCI-ISA bridge device 16, LAN controller 17, transformer (transformer) 18, 100 / 10-BASE RJ45 connection port 19 for connecting LAN line, HDD 20, U
SB slot 21, BIOS-ROM 22, real-time clock (RTC) 23, GA 24 with one keyboard controller (KBC) and embedded controller (EC), keyboard (KB), battery 2
5. Power supply controller 26, AC adapter 27, DC-
A direct current (DC-DC) conversion circuit 28 and the like are provided.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an extension unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Docker 30
Are used for adding expansion devices such as various optical / magnetic disk drive units 35. The docker 30 includes an extension connection bus 8 and an external I / O.
2C bus 9 is arranged, and in it, EEPROM
An optical drive unit 35 such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM is connected via the 31 or the IDE controller 34. Also, in this Docker 30, 10
RJ for connecting 0 / 10-BASE LAN line
45 connection port 32, DC-DC (DC-DC) conversion circuit 3
3, a slot 36 for connecting a USB, a connection port 37 for connecting a mouse, an I / O port 38 for connecting an RS-232C and a parallel printer, and the like.

Next, the function and configuration of each component provided in the computer body of FIG. 1 will be described.

The CPU 11 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor manufactured and sold by Intel Corporation in the United States. The processor bus 1 directly connected to the input / output pins of the CPU 11 has a 64-bit data bus having a bandwidth of 133 Mhz.

The main memory 13 is a memory device that stores an operating system, a device driver, an application program to be executed, processing data, and the like, and includes a plurality of DRAM modules. The main memory 13 includes a system memory mounted on a system board in advance, and an extension memory mounted as needed by a user. DRAM constituting these system memory and extended memory
Modules include synchronous DRAM and Ramb
For example, a high-speed memory that requires a memory clock for each bank, such as a us, is used.

The main memory 13 is connected to the CPU-PCI bridge device 12 via a dedicated memory bus having a 64-bit data bus having a bandwidth of 133 Mhz. As the data bus of the memory bus, the data bus of the processor bus 1 can be used.
In this case, the memory bus includes an address bus and various memory control signal lines.

The CPU-PCI bridge device 12 is a bridge LS that connects between the processor bus 1 and the PCI bus 2.
I, and functions as one of the bus masters of the PCI bus 2. This bridge device 12 is connected to the processor bus 1
A function of bidirectionally converting a bus cycle including data and addresses between the PCI bus 2 and the PCI bus 2 and a function of controlling access to the memory 13 via the memory bus are provided.

The PCI bus 2 is a clock synchronous input / output bus, and all cycles on the PCI bus 2 are performed in synchronization with the bus clock. The frequency of the PCI bus clock is a maximum of 33 MHz. The PCI bus 2 has an address / data bus used in a time-division manner.
This address / data bus is 32 bits wide.

The data transfer cycle on the PCI bus 2 is
It consists of an address phase and one or more subsequent data phases. In the address phase, the address and transfer type are output, and in the data phase, 8 bits, 16 bits, 24 bits or 32 bits are output.
Bit data is output.

The display controller 14 incorporates a video memory (VRAM) and is directly connected to a graphics port dedicated to the bridge device 12.
3 is transmitted to the VRA via the port.
M, and the image data is displayed on an LCD or an external CRT display.

DSP interface gate array 15
Constitutes a DSP system for performing various sound processing and telephone / data communication processing in cooperation with a DSP, a MODEM (CODEC), and a sound CODEC.

Under the control of a dedicated device driver program which is read into the main memory 13 and executed, the DSP interface gate array 15
It communicates with the MODEM (CODEC) and the sound CODEC to control sound processing and communication processing using digital signal processing of the DSP.

The PCI-ISA bridge device 16 is a PC
This is a bridge LSI that connects the I bus 2 and the ISA bus 3. The bridge device 16 includes a bus arbitration circuit between devices connected to the ISA bus 3, a DMA controller, an IDE controller for controlling the HDD 20,
A USB controller for controlling a USB device connected via the SB slot 21 is built in. The expansion connection bus 5 is led out to the outside via the connector element 102a of the expansion connector 10a, and is connected to the Docker 30. The Docker detection line 6 is led out through the connector element 103a of the extension connector 10a, and is connected to the Docker 30.

The LAN controller 17 can transfer packet data asynchronously at 10 Mbps / 100 Mbps, and is connected to an external LAN line via the RJ45 connection port 19. Also. A part of the LAN line
And the connector element 1 of the expansion connector 10a.
01a, and is connected to the Docker 30. The configuration of the transformer according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described later in detail.

The ISA bus 3 stores a BIOS-ROM 22 for storing a program for docking control.
A TC 23 and a keyboard controller (KBC) / embedded controller (EC) 24 are connected. K
The BC / EC 24 is a bridge LSI that controls the KB and also controls the I2C bus 4.

The KBC / EC 24 is a PCI-IS
When a signal indicating that the Docker 30 is connected is obtained from the A-bridge device 16 via the ISA bus 3, the Docker
A system management interrupt (SMI) signal is output to the CPU 11 to notify that the connection of r30 has changed.

The I2C bus 4 is a bidirectional bus composed of one clock signal line and one data line. The I2C bus 4 is led out to the outside via the connector element 105a of the extension connector 10a, and is connected to the docker 30. It is connected.

The battery pack 25 includes an AC adapter 27
Is not connected to the computer system itself,
Provides power to each component of the computer system. The battery pack 26 and the AC adapter 27
DC via the power line connected to the backflow prevention diode
-It is connected to the DC conversion circuit 28. The DC-DC conversion circuit 28 includes various DC voltages (+5 V, +3.3 V, +12 V) required by each component of the computer.
Etc.). The power line is led out through the connector element 104a of the expansion connector 10a, and
r30.

The battery pack 25 is connected to the I2C bus 4, and operates in accordance with a request from the CPU 11.
The BC / EC 24 is an EE built in the battery pack 24.
The type of the battery pack, the rated capacity of the battery pack, and the remaining capacity data are read from the PROM.

The power supply controller 26 is also connected to the I2C bus 4
And performs charge / discharge and power supply control of the battery pack 25 and the DC-DC conversion circuit 28. Further, the power supply controller 26 detects whether or not the battery pack is attached, and outputs the KBC / EC2 via the I2C bus 4.
Notify 4. Further, the power supply controller 26
When the ker 30 is connected to the extension connector 10a of the computer body, the battery pack 25 of the computer body
And the power supplied from the AC adapter 27
In order to supply the power to the Docker 30, power is supplied from the computer to the Docker 30 by turning on a switch composed of an FET or the like.

Next, each component in the Docker 30 of FIG. 2 will be described.

As described above, the Docker 30 is an extension unit that is detachably attached to the computer body. ID provided inside this Docker 30
The E controller 34 is connected to the lead 1 of the extension connector 10b.
02b, which is connected to the extension connection bus 8 derived from
It receives control data from the CI-ISA bridge device 16, controls the optical drive unit 35, and outputs read data.

The Docker detection line 7 connected to the lead-out line 103b of the extension connector 10b is grounded in the Docker 30.

The EEPROM 31 has an extension connector 10b.
Is connected to the external I2C bus 9 connected to the outgoing line 105b. The EEPROM 31 stores attributes (address, DMA channel, IRQ number, etc.) of an expansion device or the like installed in an expansion bay of the Docker 30, and Do.
Plug & Play (PnP) information necessary for plug and play, such as the type of the cicker 30, is stored. This PnP information is stored in the computer
r30 is connected or when the computer is powered on, the system BIOS of the BIOS ROM 22
Under the control, the data is read from the EEPROM 31 by the KBC / EC 24 via the internal I2C bus 4 and the external I2C bus 9.

The DC-DC conversion circuit 33 is a Docker
A power supply of a voltage (+3 V, +5 V) output to each of the 30 components (IDE controller, etc.) is generated. The DC-DC conversion circuit 33 is connected to a power supply line connected to the lead wire 104b of the docking connector 10b.

As described above, the Docker 30 is an extension unit to which the portable computer main body is detachably mounted. FIG. 3 shows a state where the computer system main body according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the Docker. FIG. 4 shows that the computer system body is Docker in the system of the embodiment.
FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this Docker
The housing 30 has a mounting surface for accommodating the portable computer main body. The mounting surface has substantially the same size as the bottom surface of the main body of the portable computer, and guides for introducing the main body of the portable computer to the mounting position are provided at the four corners of the mounting surface. ing. Along the guide section, the expansion connector 10a of the portable computer main body (not shown)
0 connector 10b.

The LAN distribution line, the expansion connection bus 5, the docker detection line 6, and the power supply line from the portable computer main body or from the Dokcer 30 are mutually connected via connectors 10a and 10b.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a forked (pulsed) transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The forked transformer 18 comprises two pulse transformers 18a and 18b. Each pulse transformer has a primary coil TD, RX wound on a common iron core.
1, RX2, and secondary coils TX1, TX2 and RD. When a signal is input to the primary side coils TD, RX1, RX2, 1 is output from the secondary side coils TX1, TX2, and RD.
Signals having waveforms similar to the signals input to the secondary coils TD, RX1, RX2 are output.

The transmission differential signal TD (T
D +, TD-), received differential signal RD (RD +, RD-)
Are connected to the LAN controller 17. on the other hand,
The transmission differential signal TX1 (TX1 +, T
X1-), the received differential signal RX1 (RX1 +, RX1-)
Are the lead wires 101a, 1 of the extension connectors 10a, 10b.
01b is connected to the connection port 32 of the Docker 30. In addition, the transmission differential signal T
X2 (TX2 +, TX2-), the received differential signal RX2 (R
X2 +, RX2-) are connected to the connection port 19 in the portable computer main body.

The transmission differential signal from the LAN controller is input to TD + and TD− of the forked transformer 18a.
It is output from the primary transformer to a bifurcated secondary transformer of the same polarity. The transmission differential signal from the bifurcated secondary transformer is supplied to a choke coil 4 for reducing common mode noise.
Via the channels 0 and 41, the signals are output to the connection port 32 of the extension unit 30 connected to the TX1 + and TX1- of the forked transformer 18a and to the main body connection port 19 connected to the TX2 + and TX2- of the forked transformer 18a. Here, the CT of the primary side transformer is grounded via a capacitor to prevent noise. An offset voltage is supplied to CT1 of the forked secondary-side transformer. Further, CT2 of the bifurcated secondary-side transformer is terminated.

The differential signals received from the extension unit and the connection port of the main unit are transmitted to RX1 + .RX2 + and R
It is input to X1-.RX2- and output from the primary transformer to the secondary transformer of the same polarity. The differential signal received from the secondary transformer passes through the choke coil 42 for reducing common mode noise,
Output to the LAN controller 17 connected to + and RD-. Here, the CTR1 of the bifurcated primary transformer is
Offset voltage is supplied. Also, the CTR2 of the bifurcated primary transformer is terminated. The CTR of the secondary transformer is grounded via a capacitor for noise suppression.

[0047] With such a branch wiring by the forked transformer, each branch wiring can be independently optimized and terminated, and signal degradation can be suppressed. Further, by using a transformer for branching the LAN wiring, it is possible to receive a plurality of connection ports per line.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the configuration of a computer system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is that the LAN controller 17 is built in the expansion unit 30 and is connected via the expansion connection bus 8 and the connector element 102 of the expansion connector 10. Then, it is connected to the PCI-ISA bridge device 16 of the portable computer main body. In this case, since the LAN controller 17 is not built in the portable computer main body, it is led out to the main body connection port 19 via the connector elements 101a and 101b of the expansion connector 10.

With such a configuration, when a LAN controller is not required for the portable computer main body, a LAN environment can be easily constructed for the portable computer main body by connecting an extension unit later.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a computer system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, similarly to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the LAN controller 17 is built in the main body of the portable computer, and is connected to the expansion unit 10 via the connector elements 101a and 101b of the expansion connector 10. To the connection port 32. However, in this embodiment, three LAN connection ports are prepared, and two ports are prepared in the portable computer main body. One is connected to a connection port 19 via a three-way transformer 18. The other is connected to a connection port in the select bay 20 in which an HDD, an optical drive, and a second battery can be added as options. Select Bay 20 via LAN
When used as a connection port, optional equipment cannot be added in the select bay.

With such a configuration, by providing a plurality of LAN connection ports, the degree of freedom to select a connection port that is easy for the user to use is increased.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a switching element such as an FET is arranged between the transformer 18 and the extension unit 30 so that the PCI-ISA bridge device 16 detects the connection of the extension unit 30. When you do
When the switch is turned on, the transformer 18 and the extension unit 3
Signals between zero and one can also be transmitted to each other.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to further reduce signal characteristic deterioration caused by branching of a transmitted signal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an extension unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a state in which the computer system main body according to the embodiment is mounted on an extension unit;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a state in which the extension unit is separated from the computer system main body in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a forked transformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system main body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary block diagram showing the configuration of an extension unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer system main body according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Processor bus, 2 ... PCI bus, 3 ... ISA bus, 4 ... Internal I2C bus, 5, 8 ... Connection bus for expansion,
6, 7 ... Docker detection line, 9 ... external I2C bus, 1
0a, 10b: expansion connector, 11: CPU, 12: C
PU-PCI bridge device, 13: Main memory, 14: Display controller, 15: DSP interface GA, 16: PCI-ISA bridge device, 17: LA
N controller, 18a, 18b ... transformer, 19 ... R
J45 connection port, 20 HDD, 21, 36 USB slot, 22 BIOS-ROM, 23 RTC, 24
KBC / EC, 25: battery, 26: power controller, 27: AC adapter, 28, 33: DC-DC conversion circuit, 30: expansion unit, 31: EEPROM, 32
... RJ45 connection port, 34 ... IDE controller, 35 ...
Optical drive, 37 ... mouse, 38 ... I / O port, 4
0, 41, 42 ... choke coil, 101a, 101
b, 102a, 102b, 103a, 103b, 104
a, 104b, 105a, 105b ... connector elements

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus comprising an information processing apparatus main body and an expansion unit for adding an optional device, wherein the information processing apparatus is inserted into a wired transmission path on a network to transform a signal on the wired transmission path. Branching means for branching into a plurality of signals via a device, and a network controller for controlling the transmission and reception of signals on the wired transmission path, the branching means has a plurality of input / output terminals, the primary side The input / output terminal is connected to a signal transmitted from the network controller, the first input / output terminal on the secondary side is connected to a connection port of a network provided in the information processing apparatus main body, and the second input / output terminal on the secondary side. Wherein the input / output terminal is connected to a connection port of a network provided in the extension unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the branching unit is built in the information processing apparatus main body. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the branching unit is built in the extension unit. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said branching unit branches into at least three signals. 5. An information processing apparatus comprising an information processing apparatus main body and an extension unit for adding an optional device, wherein the information processing apparatus is inserted into a wired transmission path on a network to transform a signal on the wired transmission path. And a network controller for controlling the transmission and reception of signals on the wired transmission path, wherein the branching means includes a plurality of input devices. It has an output terminal and the primary side input / output terminal
The first input / output terminal of the secondary side is connected to a signal transmitted from the network controller, the first input / output terminal of the secondary side is connected to a connection port of a network provided in the information processing apparatus main body, and the second input / output terminal of the secondary side is An information processing apparatus connected to a connection port of a network provided in the extension unit. 6. An information processing apparatus comprising an information processing apparatus main body and an expansion unit for adding an optional device, wherein the information processing apparatus is inserted into a wired transmission path on a network to transform a signal on the wired transmission path. And a network controller for controlling transmission and reception of signals on the wired transmission path, wherein the branching unit includes a plurality of input / output terminals. The primary-side input / output terminal is connected to a signal transmitted from the network controller, and the secondary-side first input / output terminal is connected to a network connection port of the information processing apparatus main body. The second input / output terminal on the secondary side is connected to a connection port of a network provided in the extension unit.