CN100403246C - Device and method for simulating hard disk - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a device and a method for simulating a hard disk, which comprises a core logic chip, a main memory module and a setting module, wherein the setting module is used for setting the main memory module to be provided with a memory access area and a hard disk access area, and the core logic chip comprises a memory controller and a conversion interface controller and is respectively used for controlling the data reading of the memory access area and the hard disk access area. Therefore, when the core logic chip receives a read-write signal sent by the computer system to the main memory module, the read-write signal is judged to belong to a memory read-write signal or a hard disk read-write signal, and if the read-write signal belongs to the memory read-write signal, the read-write signal is transmitted to the memory controller; and if the read-write signal is judged to belong to the hard disk read-write signal, the read-write signal is transmitted to the conversion interface controller. Therefore, the invention can improve the overall speed of the computer.

Description

Device and method for simulating hard disk

technical field

The invention relates to a device and method for simulating a hard disk, in particular to a device and method for simulating a hard disk with memory.

Background technique

Due to the increasing popularity of computers and the increasingly powerful functions of computers, many peripheral devices that support computers have also increased, such as: card readers, USB devices, 1394 devices..., and software technology has also been improved. Various types of software are also diversified, and these factors attract users to continue to use computers. Computers have become an indispensable tool in life, so computers often store various data for users. use.

But for computers, there is a lot of time wasted searching for data, and a lot of data is placed in the hard disk. Due to the structural characteristics of the hard disk itself, much of the access time it spends is spent on moving the magnetic head. Data search time (seek-time) and spindle motor rotation time (rotation time), and these are the main reasons why the access speed of hard disk data cannot be compared with that of memory. Because of this, when the computer reads and writes the data in the hard disk, no matter how fast the central processing unit is, it still has to wait for the internal processing time of the hard disk itself.

As for how to increase the speed of the hard disk, such as U.S. Patent No. 5,594,926 discloses a system that can speed up the hard disk, which splits the IO instructions issued by the traditional central processing unit into two operations of reading and writing and can be executed at the same time , and use the programmable register to adjust the hard disk IO cycle time to be compatible with the speed of different hard disks. The aforementioned U.S. patent still puts the data in the hard disk, so when the hard disk is read data, it still cannot avoid the data search time (seek-time) of moving the magnetic head and the rotation time (rotation time) of the spindle motor. consume.

Contents of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device and method for simulating a hard disk, so as to solve the technical problem of time consumption caused by moving the magnetic head and the rotation of the spindle motor when reading data from the hard disk in the prior art.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a device for simulating a hard disk, which is applied to a computer system, and is characterized in that it includes: a main memory module including at least one internal memory; a setting module for setting the main memory The module has a memory access area and a hard disk access area; and a core logic chip, which receives a read-write signal sent by the computer system to the main memory module, including: a core logic body, which receives the read-write signal to control the Data reading and writing of the main memory module; a memory controller, the signal is connected to the core logic body and the main memory module, and the core logic body receives a memory reading and writing signal and is used to control the data reading and writing of the memory access area ; A conversion interface controller, the signal is connected to the core logic body and the main memory module, which receives a hard disk read and write signal from the core logic body and is used to control the data read and write of the hard disk access area, the conversion interface controller The hard disk read/write signal is also converted into a memory read/write signal; the core logic body judges whether the read/write signal belongs to the memory read/write signal or the hard disk read/write signal, and when it is judged that the read/write signal belongs to the memory read/write signal signal, the read/write signal is sent to the memory controller; and when it is judged that the read/write signal belongs to the hard disk read/write signal, the read/write signal is sent to the conversion interface controller.

The above-mentioned device for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that the memory is a volatile memory.

The above-mentioned device for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that the setting module is a basic input and output system.

The above-mentioned device for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that the core logic chip is a north bridge chip.

The above-mentioned device for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that the core logic chip is a chip integrating the north bridge and the south bridge.

The above-mentioned device for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that the interface conversion controller is a controller for converting a hard disk interface to a memory interface.

The above-mentioned device for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that a further part includes a power supply, and the signal is connected to the main memory module.

The above-mentioned device for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that the power supply is a backup power supply or a battery in the computer system.

In order to better realize the purpose of the present invention, the present invention also provides a method for simulating a hard disk, which is applied to a computer system, and is characterized in that it includes the following steps: setting a main memory module in the computer system to have a memory Access area and a hard disk access area; provide a core logic chip with a core logic body and a memory controller and a conversion interface controller, wherein the conversion interface controller is connected to the main memory module and is a hard disk interface The controller of the memory interface; the memory controller is used to control the data access of the memory access area; the conversion interface controller is used to control the data access of the hard disk access area; when the core logic chip receives the computer system When a read/write signal is sent to the main memory module, it is judged whether the read/write signal belongs to a memory read/write signal or a hard disk read/write signal; when it is judged that the read/write signal belongs to a memory read/write signal, the read/write signal is transmitted to the memory controller; and when it is judged that the read-write signal belongs to the hard disk read-write signal, the read-write signal is sent to the conversion interface controller.

The above-mentioned method for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that in the setting step, the basic input and output system in the computer system sets the main memory module.

The above-mentioned method for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that the core logic chip is a north bridge chip.

The above-mentioned method for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that the core logic chip is a chip integrating the north bridge and the south bridge.

The above-mentioned method for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that it further includes: providing a power supply to the main memory module.

The above-mentioned method for simulating a hard disk is characterized in that the power supply is a backup power supply or a battery in the computer system.

Technical effect of the present invention is:

The device and method for simulating a hard disk of the present invention provide a simulated hard disk for use in the main memory module, because the internal memory is used to simulate the hard disk, and when reading data from the simulated hard disk, time will not be caused by the rotation of the moving magnetic head and the spindle motor. consumption, so storing data in it will effectively increase the overall speed of the computer.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a system frame diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a system frame diagram of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Wherein, the reference signs are explained as follows:

10 CPU

11, 17 core logic chips

111 core logic ontology

112 memory controller

121 memory

113 conversion interface controller

12 main memory modules

121 memory

13 Setting Module

14 south bridge chip

15 hard drives

Detailed ways

The present invention proposes a device and method for simulating a hard disk, allowing the memory in the computer system to have the function of hard disk access. Since the speed of reading data from the memory is much faster than that of the hard disk, the present invention uses part of the space in the memory as a simulation Hard disk, place data in this space to increase the overall speed of the computer.

Please refer to Fig. 1, it is the system framework diagram of one of preferred embodiment of the present invention, and present embodiment includes: a central processing unit 10, a core logic chip 11, a main memory module 12, a setting module 13, A south bridge chip 14 and a hard disk 15 , wherein the core logic chip 11 further includes: a core logic body 111 , a memory controller 112 and a conversion interface controller 113 . The memory controller 112 and the conversion interface control 113 are respectively signal-connected to the core logic body 111 , and the core logic body 111 is used to control the data reading and writing of the main memory module 12 . The memory controller 112 is used to receive a memory read/write signal, and control the read/write of data stored in the main memory module 12 according to the memory read/write signal. The conversion interface controller 113 is used to receive the hard disk read/write signal, and provide signal format conversion for the hard disk read/write signal, convert it into a memory signal compatible with the main memory module 12, and control it according to the converted memory signal Reading and writing of data stored in the main memory module 12 . The core logic chip 11 can receive the read/write signal sent by the computer system to the main memory module 12, and judge whether the read/write signal belongs to the memory read/write signal or the hard disk read/write signal, and if the memory read/write signal is sent to the memory controller 112, and if it is a hard disk read/write signal, it is sent to the conversion interface controller 113.

The main memory module 12 is signal-connected to the core logic chip 11 and can be used to receive memory read/write signals output by the memory controller 112 or the conversion interface controller 113 . The main memory module 12 is composed of a plurality of memories 121, and these memories 121 belong to volatile memories with fast reading speed, such as SDRAM, DDRAM and so on. The main memory module 12 of the present embodiment can also be used as an analog hard disk except that it can provide data or program storage when the computer system is executed. How to divide the main memory module 12 into two storage areas with different usage forms, One belongs to the memory access area used as the main memory in the computer system, and the other is the hard disk access area used as the analog hard disk, and the main memory module 12 is set by the setting module 13, so that the computer can The system identifies the main memory module 12 according to this setting. In addition, since the internal memory 121 used by the main memory module 12 is a volatile memory, in order to prevent the computer system from being shut down, the main memory module 12 loses power and cannot memorize data. This embodiment provides a power supply 16 to supply the main memory module 12. , to ensure that the hard disk access area used as a hard disk in the main memory module 12 can continue to store data. The implementation of the power supply 16 can be achieved by a backup power supply or a battery (such as a mercury battery) in the computer system.

And the setting module 13 signal of the present embodiment is connected to the south bridge chip 14, and it is in the process of setting the main memory module 12, and the memory 121 in the main memory module 12 is taken as a unit to divide the above-mentioned memory access area and Hard disk access area. Therefore, after the setting of the setting module 12 , after the computer system is restarted, the hard disk 15 connected to the south bridge chip 14 and the simulated hard disk in the main memory module 12 can be identified. However, the present embodiment uses the main memory module 12 to simulate the hard disk. If the simulated hard disk is to be read, it is the same as the data read and write of the general hard disk for the computer system, and does not need to make any changes because the central processing The hard disk read-write signal sent by device 10, if the data to be read and written by the hard disk read-write signal is placed on the hard disk 15, then the hard disk read-write signal is transmitted to the hard disk 15 by the south bridge chip 14; and if the hard disk read-write signal The data to be read and written is placed in the hard disk access area in the main memory module 12 , and the hard disk read/write signal is transmitted to the hard disk access area in the main memory module 12 through the conversion interface controller 113 .

Above-mentioned core logic chip 11 is north bridge chip, and conversion interface controller 113 is the controller that hard disk interface turns memory interface, and hard disk interface can be IDE or SATA interface, setting module 13 is basic input output system (BIOS).

Please refer to Fig. 2, which is a system frame diagram of one of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and its difference with the previous embodiment is that the core logic chip 17 is a chip integrating the north bridge and the south bridge, and the setting module 13 and the hard disk 15 are signally connected to the core logic chip 17 respectively. The mode of operation of the simulated hard disk in this embodiment is the same as that of the previous embodiment, and the hard disk access area of the simulated hard disk can be formed in the main memory module 12.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a flow chart of one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Based on the system structure disclosed in the foregoing embodiments, the method of setting the simulated hard disk includes the following steps: first step S301 after the computer is turned on; S303 enters Setting module 13; then S305 sets the size of the simulated hard disk; then S307 computer divides the main memory module according to the size of the previously set simulated hard disk; and after the aforementioned division, S309 generates the simulated hard disk in the main memory module 12, and The main memory module 12 includes a memory access area and a hard disk access area; finally S311 the setting module 13 stores the above settings. Therefore, when the computer restarts next time, the simulated hard disk in the main memory module 12 can be identified.

To sum up, the foregoing embodiments provide a method for simulating the main memory module in a computer as having the function of hard disk read and write operations, so that a large amount of data currently required in the hard disk can be placed in the main memory module. , which can greatly increase the overall speed of your computer.

In addition, using the hardware structure of the main memory module to simulate the hard disk has the following advantages:

1. The reading and writing speed of the simulated hard disk is synchronized with the processing speed of the main memory, and there is no waiting time.

2. The setting of the analog hard disk is completed by the basic input and output system, and after the setting is completed, the computer can automatically recognize the analog hard disk without any driver.

3. The data reading and writing control of the analog hard disk is in the charge of the conversion interface controller, without wasting the resources of the computer system.

4. Compatible with any operating system.

5. No cost burden.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation scope of the present invention; all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the present invention are covered by the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. A device for simulating a hard disk, applied to a computer system, comprising: a main memory module comprising at least one memory; a setting module, used to set the main memory module to have a memory access area and a hard disk access area; and A core logic chip, receiving a read and write signal sent by the computer system to the main memory module, which includes: A core logic body, receiving the read-write signal to control the data read-write of the main memory module; A memory controller, signal connected to the core logic body and the main memory module, which receives a memory read and write signal from the core logic body and is used to control the data read and write of the memory access area; A conversion interface controller, the signal is connected to the core logic body and the main memory module, which receives a hard disk read and write signal from the core logic body and is used to control the data reading and writing of the hard disk access area, the conversion interface controller and Convert the hard disk read and write signals into memory read and write signals; Wherein, the core logic body judges whether the read-write signal belongs to the memory read-write signal or the hard disk read-write signal, and when judging that the read-write signal belongs to the memory read-write signal, transmits the read-write signal to the memory controller; and when it is judged that the read-write signal belongs to the hard disk read-write signal, the read-write signal is sent to the conversion interface controller. 2. The device for simulating a hard disk according to claim 1, wherein the memory is a volatile memory. 3. The device for simulating a hard disk according to claim 1, wherein the setting module is a basic input output system. 4. The device for simulating a hard disk according to claim 1, wherein the core logic chip is a north bridge chip. 5 . The device for simulating a hard disk according to claim 1 , wherein the core logic chip is a chip integrating a north bridge and a south bridge. 6. The device for simulating a hard disk according to claim 1, wherein the interface conversion controller is a controller for converting a hard disk interface to a memory interface. 7. The device for simulating a hard disk according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply, the signal of which is connected to the main memory module. 8. The device for simulating a hard disk according to claim 7, wherein the power source is a backup power source or a battery in the computer system. 9. A method for simulating a hard disk, applied to a computer system, comprising the following steps: setting a main memory module in the computer system to have a memory access area and a hard disk access area; A core logic chip is provided, which has a core logic body, a memory controller, and a conversion interface controller, wherein the conversion interface controller is connected to the main memory module and is a controller for converting a hard disk interface to a memory interface; the memory control The controller is used to control the data access of the memory access area; the conversion interface controller is used to control the data access of the hard disk access area; When the core logic chip receives a read/write signal sent by the computer system to the main memory module, it is judged whether the read/write signal belongs to a memory read/write signal or a hard disk read/write signal; When it is judged that the read-write signal belongs to the memory read-write signal, the read-write signal is sent to the memory controller; and When it is judged that the read/write signal belongs to the hard disk read/write signal, the read/write signal is sent to the conversion interface controller. 10. The method for simulating a hard disk according to claim 9, wherein in the setting step, the main memory module is set by the BIOS in the computer system. 11. The method for simulating a hard disk according to claim 9, wherein the core logic chip is a north bridge chip. 12 . The method for simulating a hard disk according to claim 9 , wherein the core logic chip is a chip integrating a north bridge and a south bridge. 13 . 13. The method for simulating a hard disk according to claim 9, further comprising: providing a power supply to the main memory module. 14. The method for simulating a hard disk according to claim 13, wherein the power supply is a backup power supply or a battery in the computer system.

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