CN112394769A

CN112394769A - Mainboard supporting different kinds of memories

Info

Publication number: CN112394769A
Application number: CN201910763450.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 简源利; 孙培华
Original assignee: Giga Byte Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Giga Byte Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-19
Filing date: 2019-08-19
Publication date: 2021-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-19
Also published as: CN112394769B

Abstract

The invention provides a motherboard, which comprises a storage circuit, a first slot, a control circuit and a voltage generating circuit. The storage circuit stores a first boot code and a second boot code. The first slot is used for inserting a first memory module and is provided with a first specific pin. The first memory module controls the voltage level of the first specific pin. The control circuit extracts the first or second boot code according to the voltage level of the first specific pin. The voltage generating circuit generates a first working voltage or a second working voltage to the first slot according to the voltage level of the first specific pin.

Description

Mainboard supporting different kinds of memories

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a motherboard, and more particularly, to a motherboard supporting different types of memories.

Background

With the advancement of technology, portable electronic devices have more and more types and functions. At present, most of memories inside the portable electronic devices are directly soldered on a motherboard inside the portable electronic devices. When the memory is abnormal, the portable electronic device cannot operate normally, and the user cannot replace the memory by himself.

Moreover, although the computer motherboard on the market provides a plurality of slots for allowing a user to insert a plurality of memory modules. However, each motherboard can only support a single memory module (such as DDR 3). When the user inserts the correct memory module, the motherboard can operate normally. However, in the process of assembling a computer by itself, users are likely to purchase memory modules of different specifications (such as DDR4), which results in that the new memory module cannot be applied to the motherboard.

Moreover, in order to maintain the transmission speed of the memory module, the user cannot insert the memory module into the adapter and then insert the adapter (together with the memory module) into the slot of the motherboard, because the adapter will reduce the transmission speed of the memory module.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a mainboard supporting different types of memories, which comprises a storage circuit, a first slot, a control circuit and a voltage generating circuit. The storage circuit stores a first boot code and a second boot code. The first slot is used for inserting the first memory module and is provided with a first specific pin. The first memory module controls the voltage level of the first specific pin. The control circuit extracts the first or second boot code according to the voltage level of the first specific pin. The voltage generating circuit generates a first working voltage or a second working voltage according to the voltage level of the first specific pin and provides the first working voltage or the second working voltage for the first slot. When the voltage level of the first specific pin meets a first preset value, the voltage generating circuit generates a first working voltage and the control circuit extracts a first boot code. When the voltage level of the first specific pin does not accord with the first preset value, the voltage generating circuit generates a second working voltage and the control circuit extracts a second boot code.

Drawings

FIGS. 1A-1C are schematic views of a motherboard according to the present invention.

Fig. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of a motherboard according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another diagram of the motherboard according to the present invention.

Wherein the reference numerals are:

100A, 100B, 100C, 200A, 200B, 300: a main board;

110A, 110B, 110C, 210A, 210B, 310: a control circuit;

111. 211, 311: a platform path controller;

112. 212, and (3): a central processing unit;

113: a voltage adjustment element;

114: a system management bus;

120. 220, 320: a storage circuit;

130. 230, 330: a voltage generating circuit;

140. 240, 340, 350: a slot;

221. 222: the storage element 213: a switching circuit;

214. 215: path 216: an output end;

341. 351, the method comprises the following steps: a tenon is clamped; p_S1、P_S2: a specific pin;

V_S1、V_S2: a voltage level; COD_A～COD_C: a boot code;

S_A: adjusting the signal; s_S: setting a signal;

VA and VB: the operating voltage.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below. The present description provides various examples to illustrate the technical features of various embodiments of the present invention. The configuration of the elements in the embodiments is only for illustration and is not intended to limit the invention. In addition, the reference numbers in the embodiments are repeated to simplify the description, and do not indicate any relationship between the different embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a diagram of a motherboard according to the present invention. As shown in fig. 1A, the main board 100A includes a control circuit 110A, a storage circuit 120, a voltage generating circuit 130, and a slot 140. The slot 140 is used to insert the memory module and has a specific pin P_S1. The invention does not limit the kind of the memory module. In the present embodiment, the slot 140 supports different kinds of memories. For example, the memory module may beDDR3, DDR3L, DDR4, LPDDR3 or LPDDR 4. For example, LPDDR4 is typically LPDDR4 soldered directly to the motherboard. When LPDDR4 is abnormal, the motherboard will not operate normally even if other components of the motherboard still operate normally. Therefore, the user must replace the motherboard. However, when the LPDDR4 is modularized and inserted into the slot 140, if the motherboard is abnormal, the user can know whether the abnormal condition is caused by the memory module by replacing the memory module, so that the convenience of troubleshooting by the maintenance personnel can be greatly improved by the modularized LPDDR 4. In the embodiment, the motherboard 100 can operate normally no matter what type of memory module (DDR3, DDR3L, DDR4, LPDDR3 or LPDDR4) is inserted into the slot 140.

In the present embodiment, when different types of memory modules are inserted into the socket 140, the specific pin P of the socket 140_S1Having different voltage levels. For example, when a memory module of a first type (e.g., DDR4) is inserted into slot 140, a specific pin P is inserted_S1Voltage level V of_S1May be at a first level (e.g., 0V). When a memory module of a second type (e.g., LPDDR4) is inserted into the slot 140, a specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1May be at a second level (e.g., 1V). When a memory module of a third type (e.g., DDR3) is inserted into the slot 140, the specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1Possibly at a third level (e.g., 2V). Therefore, it is provided to determine the specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1The type of the memory module inserted into the slot 140 can be known. In other embodiments, when a different memory module is inserted into the slot 140, the memory module passes through the specific pin P_S1Outputting a Serial Presence Detect (SPD) message of itself. Therefore, the type of the memory module can be detected by the SPD information.

The control circuit 110A is based on the specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1The boot code COD stored in the storage circuit 120 is extracted_AOr COD_BThe memory module is used for executing a starting program suitable for the memory module. In this embodiment, the control circuit 110A includes a platform Path Controller (PCH) 111. In this example, the platform roadThe path controller 111 may vary the voltage level V_S1And comparing with the first preset value. When the voltage level V_S1If the first predetermined value is met, it indicates that the memory module in the slot 140 belongs to the first category (e.g., DDR 4). Therefore, the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code COD_A. However, when the voltage level V is_S1If the first predetermined value is not met, it indicates that the memory module in the slot 140 belongs to the second category (e.g., LPDDR 4). Therefore, the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code COD_B. In other embodiments, when the voltage level V is lower than the reference voltage level_S1If the first predetermined value is not met but the second predetermined value is met, it indicates that the memory module in the slot 140 belongs to the second category (e.g., LPDDR 4). Therefore, the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code COD_B. In some embodiments, when the voltage level V_S1If the first and second predetermined values are not met, but the third predetermined value is met, it indicates that the memory module in the slot 140 belongs to the third category (e.g., DDR 3). Therefore, the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code COD_C。

The storage circuit 120 is used for storing boot codes required by different types of memories. The present invention does not limit the number of boot codes stored in the storage circuit 120. In some embodiments, the storage circuit 120 is a non-volatile memory and has a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) for storing the boot code COD_A～COD_C. In other embodiments, the storage circuit 120 may have a plurality of storage elements. Each storage element has a basic input/output system and a boot code.

In other embodiments, the control circuit 110A is based on a specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1Generating an adjustment signal S_AFor instructing the voltage generating circuit 130 to generate the operating voltage VA or VB to be provided to the slot 140. For example, when the voltage level V is_S1When the first preset value is met, the control circuit 110A adjusts the signal S_AThe command voltage generation circuit 130 generates the operating voltage VA. When the voltage level V_S1When the second preset value is met, the control circuit 110A adjusts the signal S_AThe command voltage generating circuit 130 generates the operating voltage VB. When voltage levelV_S1When the third preset value is met, the control circuit 110A commands the voltage generating circuit 130 to generate the third working voltage.

In the present embodiment, the voltage generating circuit 130 generates the adjustment signal S according to the voltage_AThe slot 140 is provided with an operating voltage, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the voltage generating circuit 130 is directly electrically connected to the specific pin P_S1. In this case, the voltage generation circuit 130 is directly based on the specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1Generating a corresponding operating voltage (VA or VB). The present invention is not limited to the architecture of the voltage generating circuit 130. In response to a control signal (e.g. S)_AOr V_S1) The circuit architecture for generating the voltage can be used as the voltage generating circuit 130.

When different kinds of memory modules are inserted into the slot 140, the specific pin P of the slot 140_S1Voltage level V of_S1A change will occur. By detecting a specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1The type of the memory module can be known by the variation. Providing proper working voltage (VA or VB) to the memory module according to the type of the memory module, and selecting and executing proper boot Code (COD)_AOr COD_B). Since the motherboard 100A can support different types of memory modules, the flexibility of the motherboard 100A is greatly improved.

FIG. 1B is another diagram of the motherboard according to the present invention. FIG. 1B is similar to FIG. 1A, except that the control circuit 110B of FIG. 1B further includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 112. The CPU 112 will be based on the starting code COD_AOr COD_BExecutes the boot program and reads the memory module in the slot 140. For example, when a specific pin P is used_S1Voltage level V of_S1When the first preset value is satisfied, the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code COD_AAnd provides a boot code COD_ATo the central processing unit 112. In this case, the CPU 112 executes the boot code COD_AAnd reads the memory module in the slot 140. However, when the specific pin P is connected_S1Voltage level V of_S1When the first preset value is not met (if the first preset value is met), the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code COD_BAnd provides a boot code COD_BTo the central processor 112. At this time, the CPU 112 executes the boot code COD_BAnd reads the memory module in the slot 140. In other embodiments, when a particular pin P is specified_S1Voltage level V of_S1When the third preset value is met, the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code COD_CAnd provides a boot code COD_CTo the central processing unit 112. The CPU 112 executes the boot code COD_CAnd reads the memory module in the slot 140. In other embodiments, the central processor 112 may be independent of the control circuit 110B.

FIG. 1C is another diagram of the motherboard according to the present invention. FIG. 1C is similar to FIG. 1A, except that the control circuit 100C of FIG. 1C includes a voltage adjustment element 113. The voltage adjusting element 113 adjusts the voltage according to the adjusting signal S_AGenerating a setting signal S_S. The voltage generating circuit 130 generates a setting signal S according to the voltage_SGenerating the operating voltage VA or VB. In some possible embodiments, the signal S is set_SMay be a current signal or a level signal. In other embodiments, the voltage adjustment device 113 may provide the setting signal S through a System Management Bus (System Management Bus)114_STo the voltage generation circuit 130. In other embodiments, the voltage adjustment element 113 may be independent of the control circuit 110C. In some embodiments, the central processor 112 of FIG. 1B may be disposed in or outside of the control circuit 110C. In this example, the cpu reads the memory module of the slot 140 according to the boot code sent by the platform path controller 111, and performs a boot program suitable for the memory module.

Fig. 2A is another schematic diagram of the motherboard according to the present invention. In the embodiment, the motherboard 200A includes a control circuit 210A, a storage circuit 220, a voltage generation circuit 230, and a socket 240. The control circuit 210A is based on the specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1It is determined whether the memory module is inserted into the slot 240. When the memory module is inserted into the slot 240, the control circuit 210A is controlled according to the voltage level V_S1Determine the type of the memory module, extract the proper boot code from the storage circuit 220 according to the determination result, and send the adjustment signal S_AFor instructing the voltage generation circuit 230 to generate the appropriate operation voltage for the socket 240. Since the characteristics of the control circuit 210A, the voltage generation circuit 230 and the socket 240 are similar to those of the control circuit 110B, the voltage generation circuit 130 and the socket 140 in fig. 1B, further description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the storage circuit 220 includes

storage elements

221 and 222. The storage device 221 stores the boot code COD_AAnd has a first basic input output system. The storage device 222 stores the boot code COD_BAnd has a second bios. In the present embodiment, the

storage elements

221 and 222 are independent. When the control circuit 210A reads the storage element 221, the storage element 222 is not operated. When the control circuit 210A reads the storage element 222, the storage element 221 is not operated. In other embodiments, the storage circuit 220 has more storage elements for storing more boot codes. In some embodiments, the storage circuit 220 can replace the storage circuit 120 in FIGS. 1A-1C.

Fig. 2B is another schematic diagram of the motherboard according to the present invention. Fig. 2B is similar to fig. 2A, except that the control circuit 210B in fig. 2B includes a switch circuit 213. Switch circuit 213 provides

paths

214 and 215. Path 214 is electrically connected between output 216 and storage element 221. The path 215 is electrically connected between the output 216 and the storage element 222. In the present embodiment, the switch circuit 213 is based on the specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1A

conduction path

214 or 215 for providing the starting code COD_AOr COD_BTo the output 216.

For example, when a specific pin P is used_S1Voltage level V of_S1When the first preset value is met, the switch circuit 213 is conducted on the path 214 for providing the boot code COD_ATo the output 216. When the specific pin P is_S1Voltage level V of_S1When the second preset value is not met, the switch circuit 213 conducts the path 215 to provide the boot code COD_BTo the output 216. In other embodiments, when the storage circuit 220 has more storage elements, the switch circuit 213 provides more paths for transmitting different boot codes to the output 216. In other embodiments, the switch circuit 213Can be applied to the control circuit 210A of fig. 2A.

The platform path controller 211 is electrically connected between the output terminal 216 and the voltage generating circuit 230, and generates the adjusting signal S according to the boot code of the output terminal 216_A. For example, when the switch circuit 213 is conducting the path 214, the platform path controller 211 is based on the boot code COD_AGenerating an adjustment signal S_AFor instructing the voltage generation circuit 230 to output the operating voltage V_ATo the slot 240. When the switch circuit 213 is on the path 215, the platform path controller 211 is based on the boot code COD_BGenerating an adjustment signal S_AFor instructing the voltage generation circuit 230 to output the operating voltage V_BTo the slot 240.

In other embodiments, the control circuit 210B further has a central processing unit (not shown). In this example, the cpu is configured to execute the boot code received by the platform path controller 211. In some embodiments, the central processor is independent of the control circuit 210B.

FIG. 3 is another diagram of the motherboard according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is similar to fig. 1A, except that the main board 300 includes

slots

340 and 350. The socket 340 is used to insert the first memory module and has a specific pin P_S1. The slot 350 is used to insert the second memory module and has a specific pin P_S2. In some possible embodiments, the

slots

340 and 350 have

tenons

341 and 351, respectively. In this case, the position of the latch 341 relative to the slot 340 is the same as the position of the latch 351 relative to the slot 350, so as to prevent a user from inserting different types of memory modules into the

slots

340 and 350. When a user inserts different types of memory modules into slots 340 and 350 (e.g., the user inserts the DDR4 memory module into slot 340 and the LPDDR4 memory module into slot 350), the operation of motherboard 300 is suspended. The number of slots is not limited in the present invention. In other embodiments, the motherboard 300 may have other numbers of slots.

Control circuitry 310 includes a platform path controller 311. The platform path controller 311 determines the specific pin P_S1Voltage level V of_S1And a specific pin P_S2Voltage level V of_S2Determine whether the memory module is

insertedInto slots

340 and 350. For example, the voltage level V is set when the memory module is not inserted into the

slots

340 and 350_S1And V_S2The initial value is met. The voltage level V is set when the memory module is inserted into the slot 340 and/or 350_S1And/or V_S2A change will occur. At this time, the stage path controller 311 is based on the voltage level V_S1And V_S2And judging the type of the memory module. Since the way of determining the type of the memory module by the stage path controller 311 is the same as that of the stage path controller 111 in FIG. 1A, it is not described again.

In the present embodiment, if the voltage level V is higher than the voltage level V when the first memory module is inserted into the slot 340 and the second memory module is inserted into the slot 350_S1Different from voltage level V_S2It means that the kind of the first memory module is different from that of the second memory module. For example, the first memory module may be a DDR4 memory module, and the second memory module may be an LPDDR4 memory module. Therefore, the stage path controller 311 may suspend operation or adjust the signal S_AThe command voltage generating circuit 330 suspends outputting the operation voltage to the

slots

340 and 350. In some possible embodiments, the platform path controller 311 may not extract the boot code COD_AOr COD_B. In other embodiments, the platform path controller 311 may read the boot code (e.g., COD) of the first memory module according to a predetermined value_A) And commands the voltage generation circuit 330 to output the appropriate operation voltage to the socket 340, but not to output any operation voltage to the socket 350. After the power-on operation is completed, the platform path controller 311 sends out a warning message to inform the user that the memory module is different in type, so that the user can replace or pull out the memory module in real time.

However, when the voltage level V is_S1Same as voltage level V_S2When the first memory module is in the first state, the first memory module is the same as the second memory module. Therefore, the platform path controller 311 extracts the appropriate boot code (e.g., COD) from the storage circuit 320_A). In some embodiments, the platform path controller 311 provides a boot code to a central processing unit (not shown). The CPU may be integrated into the control circuit 310 or independent of the control circuitOut of way 310. In this case, the cpu reads the first and/or second memory modules according to the boot code provided by the platform path controller 311 to execute a boot program.

In some embodiments, the control circuit 310 may further include a switching circuit (not shown). The switch circuit determines the voltage level V_S1Whether it is the same as voltage level V_S2. When the voltage level V_S1Same as voltage level V_S2The switch circuit is based on the voltage level V_S1Providing boot code COD_AOr COD_BTo the stage path controller 311. In other embodiments, the control circuit 310 further comprises a voltage adjustment element (not shown) for processing the adjustment signal S_AAnd generates a set signal (not shown). In this example, the voltage generating circuit 330 provides the operation voltage to the

slots

340 and 350 according to the setting signal.

In the embodiment, the voltage generating circuit 330 is electrically connected to the

slots

340 and 350 through different pins, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the voltage generating circuit 330 is electrically connected to the

slots

340 and 350 through the same pin. Since the characteristics of the voltage generating circuit 330 are similar to those of the voltage generating circuit 130 in fig. 1A, the description thereof is omitted. In addition, the characteristics of the storage circuit 320 are similar to those of the storage circuit 120 of fig. 1A, and thus are not described again. In other embodiments, the storage circuit 220 of FIG. 2A can replace the storage circuit 320 of FIG. 3.

When different kinds of memory modules are inserted into the

slots

340 and 350, the specific pin P of the

slots

340 and 350_S1And P_S2Voltage level V of_S1And V_S2A change will occur. Therefore, by detecting the specific pin P_S1And P_S2Voltage level V of_S1And V_S2The memory module can be informed of the type of the memory module, and according to the type of the memory module, a proper working voltage is provided to the memory module and a proper boot code is selected to perform a boot program, so that the motherboard 300 can operate normally.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Moreover, unless expressly stated otherwise, the definition of a term in a general dictionary shall be construed as being synonymous with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and shall not be construed as an idealized or overly formal definition.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a system, apparatus, or method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention is subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A motherboard supporting different types of memories, comprising:

the storage circuit stores a first boot code and a second boot code;

a first slot for inserting a first memory module and having a first specific pin, wherein the first memory module controls a voltage level of the first specific pin;

the control circuit extracts the first or the second boot code according to the voltage level of the first specific pin; and

a voltage generating circuit for generating a first working voltage or a second working voltage according to the voltage level of the first specific pin for providing to the first slot,

wherein:

when the voltage level of the first specific pin is in accordance with a first preset value, the voltage generating circuit generates the first working voltage and the control circuit extracts the first boot code,

when the voltage level of the first specific pin does not conform to the first preset value, the voltage generating circuit generates the second working voltage and the control circuit extracts the second boot code.

2. The motherboard according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises:

the platform path controller generates an adjusting signal according to the voltage level of the first specific pin, so as to control the voltage generating circuit to generate the first or second working voltage for the first slot.

3. The motherboard of claim 2 wherein the control circuit further comprises:

a CPU for reading the first memory module according to the first or second boot code,

wherein:

when the voltage level of the first specific pin matches the first preset value, the platform path controller provides the first boot code to the CPU,

when the voltage level of the first specific pin does not accord with the first preset value, the platform path controller provides the second boot code to the central processing unit.

4. The motherboard of claim 2 wherein the control circuit further comprises:

and the voltage adjusting element generates a setting signal according to the adjusting signal, wherein the voltage generating circuit generates the first or second working voltage according to the setting signal.

5. The motherboard of claim 1 wherein the storage circuitry comprises a bios for storing the first and second boot codes.

6. The motherboard of claim 1 wherein the storage circuit comprises:

a first storage element for storing the first boot code; and

the second storage element is used for storing the second boot code.

7. The motherboard of claim 6 wherein the control circuit comprises:

a switch circuit, which conducts a first path or a second path according to the voltage level of the first specific pin, wherein the first path is electrically connected between the output terminal and the first storage element, and the second path is electrically connected between the output terminal and the second storage element; and

a platform path controller electrically connected between the output terminal and the voltage generating circuit,

wherein:

when the voltage level of the first specific pin meets the first predetermined value, the switch circuit conducts the first path,

when the voltage level of the first specific pin does not accord with the first preset value, the switch circuit conducts the second path.

8. The host board of claim 1, wherein the first storage device comprises a first bios and the second storage device comprises a second bios.

9. The motherboard of claim 1, wherein when the voltage level of the first specific pin meets a second predetermined value, the voltage generating circuit generates the second operating voltage and the control circuit executes the second boot code, the second predetermined value is different from the first predetermined value.

10. The motherboard of claim 1, wherein when the voltage level of the first specific pin meets a third predetermined value, the voltage generating circuit generates a third operating voltage and the control circuit executes a third code, the third code being stored in the storage circuit.

11. The motherboard of claim 1 wherein when the first memory module is inserted into the first slot, the first memory module provides a serial detection message to the first specific pin, and the control circuit retrieves the first or second boot code based on the serial detection message.

12. The motherboard supporting different types of memory according to claim 1, further comprising:

the second slot is used for inserting a second memory module and is provided with a second specific pin, wherein the second memory module controls the voltage level of the second specific pin.

13. The motherboard of claim 12 wherein the first memory module is a DDR4 memory module and the second memory module is a LPDDR4 memory module.

14. The computer motherboard of claim 12, wherein the control circuit stops when the first and second memory modules are inserted into the first and second slots, respectively, and the voltage level of the first specific pin is different from the voltage level of the second specific pin.

15. The motherboard supporting different types of memory according to claim 1, further comprising:

the second slot is used for inserting a second memory module, wherein the first slot is provided with a first clamping tenon, the second slot is provided with a second clamping tenon, and the position of the first clamping tenon relative to the first slot is the same as the position of the second clamping tenon relative to the second slot.