Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing – Processing architecture – Microprocessor or multichip or multimodule processor having...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-14
2004-03-23
Follansbee, John (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing
Processing architecture
Microprocessor or multichip or multimodule processor having...
C710S105000, C710S120000, C361S728000, C438S112000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06711666
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a multi-chip module.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The most successful applications of computer technology have been those that people do not see. Microcontrollers and microprocessors govern automotive anti lock braking systems, automatic teller machines, elevators, subway ticket systems, and medical equipment. These hidden computers, otherwise known as embedded systems, permeate our lives. The embedded control market is, in fact, growing significantly faster than the desk top computing market. A major trend is the move from 4- and 8-bit processors to more powerful devices that provide more computing power and enable more “friendly” man-machine interfaces. A study by Desk Top Strategies showed that in 1994 over 320 million 16- and 32-bit embedded control processors were shipped to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for use in embedded control applications. In contrast, only 50 million were shipped to desk top computer manufacturers. The compound annual growth rate for 32-bit processors in the embedded market from 1992 to 1997 is projected to be 53 percent, compared with an estimated 32 percent in the desk top market.
The area of greatest growth in the embedded control market is the segment of ultra-miniature controllers for portable and transportable instruments. OEMs have indicated a strong interest in developing products with the PC architecture, but have found that size, integration, power, reliability, or cost constraints make existing broad-level products unsuitable for their applications.
The Cardio 386 developed by S-Mos Systems comprises a full function, small footprint, X86 computer that includes a CPU, all standard PC-type I/O controllers, PGA graphics, floppy and hard disk drive interfaces, DRAM, flash memory, and transparent power management. It adopts a PC AT architecture which complies with the ISA (industry standard architecture) bus pin configuration. However, it makes use of a unique edge connector comprising a plurality of tracks formed into rows on a card. This is received in a complementary slot for connection to peripheral devices. The use of a connector for connecting the module to a board makes its implementation inherently unreliable since vibrations can compromise the electrical connections between the various tracks forming the pins, and the corresponding contacts of the slot connector. Furthermore, no provision is made for integrating the module with proprietary hardware of OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).
Another prior art device is the Northstar III by Micro Module Systems that comprises a multi-chip module, including a Pentium processor, a cache controller, and RAM incorporated in a 349 pin PGA package. Once again, no facility is provided for interfacing with OEM proprietary hardware, Furthermore, the North Star module is packaged in a 349 pin PGA which makes simple direct connection to peripheral devices impossible without complicated track layout design. Therefore it does not allow the module to be simply dropped into an OEM system.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to incorporate a multi-chip module in an ultra-miniature form factor. In particular it is an object of the invention to provide a module the size of a large integrated circuit.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an Intel X86 compatible computer module and peripheral controller modules wherein the computer module includes a CPU, I/O (a parallel port and two serial ports), a keyboard interface, a DRAM interface, floppy disk controller, hard disk controller, and flash disk functions based on Intel X86 architecture. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a multi-chip module that provides an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) with the facility for incorporating a feature set that is compatible with IBM PC/AT hardware, software, and bus pin configuration.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a module having low power consumption, broad thermal adaptability, low cost, and high reliability by eliminating cables and mounting hardware.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a module family having identical ISA bus pin configurations to facilitate easy interconnection.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a development board to form a platform for receiving a multi-chip module of the invention, thereby to provide for the quick development of pilot projects.
According to the invention there is provided a multi-chip module comprising a plurality of functional circuits provided on a substrate, the circuits defining a plurality of signal inputs and outputs, and a plurality of module pins secured in a single row along the periphery of the substrate and connected to the inputs and outputs, the module pins including a set of 91 pins, two ground pins, and a power pin, defining an ISA bus means, the signal pins having a configuration complying in number and signal type with the signal pins laid down under the IEEE-P996 specification, and as applied in the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) requirements. For this reason it will hereinafter be referred as to as the ISA bus.
The module can be rectangular in shape, having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side, and is defined by an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral wall, and wherein the plurality of pins extend from the peripheral wall.
The pins of the ISA bus means of the present invention preferably comprise: pin
38
corresponding to signal IOCHCK; pin
39
corresponding to signal SD
07
; pin
40
corresponding to signal RESETDRV; pin
41
corresponding signal SD
06
; pin
42
corresponding to signal SD
05
; pin
43
corresponding to signal IRQ
9
; pin
44
corresponding to signal SD
04
; pin
45
corresponding to signal SD
03
; pin
46
corresponding to signal DRQ
2
; pin
47
corresponding to signal DRQ
20
UT-; pin
48
corresponding to signal SD
02
; pin
49
corresponding to signal SD
01
-; pin
50
corresponding to signal
0
WS; pin
51
corresponding to signal SD
00
; pin
52
corresponding to signal IOCHRDY; pin
53
corresponding to signal SBHE-; pin
54
corresponding to signal MEMSC
16
-; pin
55
corresponding to signal AEN; pin
56
corresponding to signal SMEMW-; pin
57
corresponding to signal LA
23
; pin
58
corresponding to signal IOCS
16
-; pin
59
corresponding to signal SA
19
; pin
60
corresponding to signal SMEMR-; pin
61
corresponding to signal LA
22
; pin
62
corresponding to signal IRQI
0
; pin
63
corresponding to signal SA
18
; pin
64
corresponding to signal IOW-; pin
65
corresponding to signal LA
21
; pin
66
corresponding to signal IRQ
11
; pin
67
corresponding to GND; pin
68
corresponding to signal SA
17
; pin
69
corresponding to signal IOR-; pin
70
corresponding to signal LA
20
; pin
71
corresponding to signal IRQ
12
; pin
72
corresponding to signal SA
16
; pin
73
corresponding to signal DACK
3
-; pin
74
corresponding to signal LA
19
; pin
75
corresponding to signal IRQ
15
; pin
76
corresponding to signal SA
15
; pin
77
corresponding to signal DRQ
3
; pin
78
corresponding to signal LA
18
; pin
79
corresponding to signal IRQ
14
; pin
80
corresponding to signal SA
14
; pin
81
corresponding to signal DACK
1
-; pin
82
corresponding to signal LA
17
; pin
83
corresponding to signal DACK
0
-; pin
84
corresponding to signal SA
13
; pin
85
corresponding to VCC; pin
86
corresponding to signal DRQ
1
-; pin
87
corresponding to signal MEMR-; pin
88
corresponding to signal DRQ
0
; pin
89
corresponding to signal SA
12
; pin
90
corresponding to signal REFRESH-; pin
91
corresponding to signal MEMW-; pin
92
corresponding to signal DACK
5
-; pin
93
corresponding to signal SA
11
; pin
94
corresponding to signal SYSCLK; pin
95
conresponding to signal SD
08
; pin
96
corresponding to signal DRQS; pin
97
corresponding to signal SA
10
; pin
98
corresponding to signal IRQ
7
; pin
99
corresponding to signal IRQ
7
OUT; pin
100
cor
Follansbee John
Wright Edward S.
ZF Micro Solutions, Inc.
LandOfFree
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