CN112394769B - Motherboards that support different types of memory - Google Patents

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 power-on code and a second power-on 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 power-on 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

Motherboards that support different types of memory

Technical Field

The invention relates to a motherboard, in particular to a motherboard supporting different types of memories.

Background technique

With the advancement of technology, the types and functions of portable electronic devices are increasing. Currently, the memory inside the portable electronic device is mostly directly soldered to the motherboard inside the portable electronic device. When the memory is abnormal, the portable electronic device will not work normally, and the user cannot replace the memory by himself.

Furthermore, although the computer motherboards on the market provide multiple slots for users to insert multiple memory modules, each motherboard can only support a single memory module (such as DDR3). When the user inserts the correct memory module, the motherboard can function normally. However, in the process of assembling a computer by yourself, users are likely to purchase memory modules of different specifications (such as DDR4), which will result in the new memory module being unable to be applied to the motherboard.

Furthermore, 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 (with the memory module) into the slot of the motherboard, because the adapter will reduce the transmission speed of the memory module.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a motherboard supporting different types of memories, including 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 to insert a first memory module and has 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 it to the first slot. When the voltage level of the first specific pin meets the 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 meet the first preset value, the voltage generating circuit generates the second working voltage and the control circuit extracts the second boot code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1A to 1C are schematic diagrams of a motherboard according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is another schematic diagram of the motherboard of the present invention.

Wherein, the accompanying drawings are marked as follows:

100A, 100B, 100C, 200A, 200B, 300: motherboard;

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

111, 211, 311: platform path controller;

112, 212: CPU;

113: voltage adjustment element;

114: System management bus;

120, 220, 320: storage circuit;

130, 230, 330: voltage generating circuit;

140, 240, 340, 350: slots;

221, 222: storage element 213: switch circuit;

214, 215: path 216: output end;

341, 351: latch; _PS1 , _PS2 : specific pins;

_VS1 , _VS2 : voltage level; _CODA ~ _CODC : power-on code;

S _A : adjustment signal; S _S : setting signal;

VA, VB: operating voltage.

Detailed ways

In order to make the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, embodiments are specifically cited below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention specification provides different embodiments to illustrate the technical features of different implementations of the present invention. Among them, the configuration of each component in the embodiment is only for illustration and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the repetition of the figure numbers in the embodiments is for the purpose of simplifying the description and does not mean the correlation between different embodiments.

FIG1A is a schematic diagram of a motherboard of the present invention. As shown in FIG1A , the motherboard 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 a memory module and has a specific pin _PS1 . The present invention does not limit the type of memory module. In this embodiment, the slot 140 supports different types of memory. For example, the memory module may be DDR3, DDR3L, DDR4, LPDDR3, or LPDDR4. Taking LPDDR4 as an example, LPDDR4 is usually directly soldered on the motherboard. When an abnormality occurs in LPDDR4, even if other components of the motherboard can still work normally, the motherboard will not be able to maintain normal operation. Therefore, the user must replace the motherboard. However, when LPDDR4 is modularized and inserted into the slot 140, if an abnormality occurs in the motherboard, the user can know whether the abnormality is caused by the memory module by replacing a new memory module, so modular LPDDR4 can greatly improve the convenience of troubleshooting for maintenance personnel. In this embodiment, no matter which type of memory module (DDR3, DDR3L, DDR4, LPDDR3 or LPDDR4) is inserted into the slot 140 , the motherboard 100 can operate normally.

In the present embodiment, when different types of memory modules are inserted into the slot 140, the specific pin _PS1 of the slot 140 has different voltage levels. For example, when a first type of memory module (such as DDR4) is inserted into the slot 140, the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 may be a first level (such as 0V). When a second type of memory module (such as LPDDR4) is inserted into the slot 140, the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 may be a second level (such as 1V). When a third type of memory module (such as DDR3) is inserted into the slot 140, the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 may be a third level (such as 2V). Therefore, by determining the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 , the type of memory module inserted into the slot 140 can be known. In other embodiments, when different memory modules are inserted into the slot 140, the memory module outputs its own serial presence detect (SPD) information through the specific pin _PS1 . Therefore, the type of memory module can also be detected through SPD information.

The control circuit 110A extracts the boot code COD _A or COD _B stored in the storage circuit 120 according to the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 , so as to execute the boot procedure suitable for the memory module. In the present embodiment, the control circuit 110A includes a platform controller hub (PCH) 111. In this example, the platform controller hub 111 may compare the voltage level V _S1 with a first preset value. When the voltage level V _S1 meets the first preset value, it indicates that the memory module in the slot 140 belongs to the first type (such as DDR4). Therefore, the platform controller hub 111 extracts the boot code COD _A. However, when the voltage level V _S1 does not meet the first preset value, it indicates that the memory module in the slot 140 belongs to the second type (such as LPDDR4). Therefore, the platform controller hub 111 extracts the boot code COD _B. In other embodiments, when the voltage level V _S1 does not meet the first preset value but meets the second preset value, it indicates that the memory module in the slot 140 belongs to the second type (such as LPDDR4). Therefore, the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code _CODB . In some embodiments, when the voltage level _Vs1 does not meet the first and second preset values but meets the third preset value, it indicates that the memory module in the slot 140 belongs to the third type (eg, DDR3). Therefore, the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code _CODC .

The storage circuit 120 is used to store the 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 possible embodiments, the storage circuit 120 is a non-volatile memory and has a basic input and output system (BIOS) for storing the boot codes COD _A ～COD _C. In other embodiments, the storage circuit 120 may have multiple storage elements. Each storage element has a basic input and output system and a boot code.

In other embodiments, the control circuit 110A generates an adjustment signal S _A according to the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 , so as to instruct the voltage generating circuit 130 to generate the operating voltage VA or VB to provide to the socket 140. For example, when the voltage level V _S1 meets the first preset value, the control circuit 110A instructs the voltage generating circuit 130 to generate the operating voltage VA through the adjustment signal S _A. When the voltage level V _S1 meets the second preset value, the control circuit 110A instructs the voltage generating circuit 130 to generate the operating voltage VB through the adjustment signal S _A. When the voltage level V _S1 meets the third preset value, the control circuit 110A instructs the voltage generating circuit 130 to generate the third operating voltage.

In this embodiment, the voltage generating circuit 130 provides the working voltage to the slot 140 according to the adjustment signal _SA , but it is not intended to limit the present invention. In other embodiments, the voltage generating circuit 130 is directly electrically connected to the specific pin _PS1 . In this example, the voltage generating circuit 130 directly generates the corresponding working voltage (VA or VB) according to the voltage level _VS1 of the specific pin _PS1 . The present invention does not limit the architecture of the voltage generating circuit 130. Any circuit architecture that can generate a voltage according to a control signal (such as _SA or _VS1 ) can be used as the voltage generating circuit 130.

When different types of memory modules are inserted into the slot 140, the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 of the slot 140 will change. By detecting the change of the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 , the type of the memory module can be known. According to the type of the memory module, a suitable operating voltage (VA or VB) is provided to the memory module, and a suitable boot code (COD _A or COD _B ) is selected and executed. Since the motherboard 100A can support different types of memory modules, the flexibility of use of the motherboard 100A is greatly improved.

FIG. 1B is another schematic diagram of the motherboard of 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 executes a booting procedure according to the booting code COD _A or COD _B , and reads the memory module in the slot 140. For example, when the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 meets the first preset value, the platform path controller 111 extracts the booting code COD _A and provides the booting code COD _A to the CPU 112. In this example, the CPU 112 executes the booting code COD _A and reads the memory module in the slot 140. However, when the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 does not meet the first preset value (such as meeting the second preset value), the platform path controller 111 extracts the booting code COD _B and provides the booting code COD _B to the CPU 112. At this time, the CPU 112 executes the booting code COD _B and reads the memory module in the slot 140. In other embodiments, when the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 meets the third preset value, the platform path controller 111 extracts the boot code _CODC and provides the boot code _CODC to the CPU 112. The CPU 112 executes the boot code _CODC and reads the memory module in the slot 140. In other embodiments, the CPU 112 may be independent of the control circuit 110B.

FIG. 1C is another schematic diagram of a motherboard of 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 adjustment element 113 generates a setting signal _SS according to an adjustment signal _SA . The voltage generating circuit 130 generates an operating voltage VA or VB according to the setting signal _SS . In some possible embodiments, the setting signal _SS may be a current signal or a level signal. In other embodiments, the voltage adjustment element 113 may provide the setting signal _SS to the voltage generating circuit 130 via a system management bus (SystemManagement Bus) 114. In other embodiments, the voltage adjustment element 113 may be independent of the control circuit 110C. In some embodiments, the central processing unit 112 of FIG. 1B may be disposed in or outside the control circuit 110C. In this example, the central processing unit reads the memory module of the slot 140 according to the boot code issued by the platform path controller 111, and performs a boot procedure suitable for the memory module.

FIG. 2A is another schematic diagram of a motherboard of the present invention. In this embodiment, the motherboard 200A includes a control circuit 210A, a storage circuit 220, a voltage generating circuit 230, and a slot 240. The control circuit 210A determines whether a memory module has been inserted into the slot 240 according to a voltage level V _S1 of a specific pin _PS1 . When the memory module is inserted into the slot 240, the control circuit 210A determines the type of the memory module according to the voltage level V _S1 , and extracts a suitable boot code from the storage circuit 220 according to the determination result, and sends an adjustment signal S _A to command the voltage generating circuit 230 to generate a suitable working voltage for the slot 240. Since the characteristics of the control circuit 210A, the voltage generating circuit 230, and the slot 240 are similar to those of the control circuit 110B, the voltage generating circuit 130, and the slot 140 of FIG. 1B, they are not described in detail.

In this embodiment, the storage circuit 220 includes storage elements 221 and 222. The storage element 221 stores the startup code COD _A and has a first basic input and output system. The storage element 222 stores the startup code COD _B and has a second basic input and output system. In this embodiment, the storage elements 221 and 222 are independent of each other. When the control circuit 210A reads the storage element 221, the storage element 222 does not operate. When the control circuit 210A reads the storage element 222, the storage element 221 does not operate. In other embodiments, the storage circuit 220 has more storage elements for storing more startup codes. In some embodiments, the storage circuit 220 can replace the storage circuit 120 in Figures 1A to 1C.

FIG. 2B is another schematic diagram of the motherboard of the present invention. FIG. 2B is similar to FIG. 2A, except that the control circuit 210B in FIG. 2B includes a switch circuit 213. The switch circuit 213 provides paths 214 and 215. The path 214 is electrically connected between the output terminal 216 and the storage element 221. The path 215 is electrically connected between the output terminal 216 and the storage element 222. In this embodiment, the switch circuit 213 turns on the path 214 or 215 according to the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 , so as to provide the startup code COD _A or COD _B to the output terminal 216.

For example, when the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 meets the first preset value, the switch circuit 213 turns on the path 214 to provide the startup code COD _A to the output terminal 216. When the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 does not meet the second preset value, the switch circuit 213 turns on the path 215 to provide the startup code COD _B to the output terminal 216. In other embodiments, when the storage circuit 220 has more storage elements, the switch circuit 213 provides more paths to transmit different startup codes to the output terminal 216. In other embodiments, the switch circuit 213 can 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 adjustment signal S _A according to the power-on code of the output terminal 216. For example, when the switch circuit 213 conducts the path 214, the platform path controller 211 generates the adjustment signal S _A according to the power-on code COD _A , and commands the voltage generating circuit 230 to output the working voltage _VA to the slot 240. When the switch circuit 213 conducts the path 215, the platform path controller 211 generates the adjustment signal S _A according to the power-on code COD _B , and commands the voltage generating circuit 230 to output the working voltage _VB to the slot 240.

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

FIG. 3 is another schematic diagram of a motherboard of the present invention. FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1A, except that the motherboard 300 includes slots 340 and 350. The slot 340 is used to insert a first memory module and has a specific pin _PS1 . The slot 350 is used to insert a second memory module and has a specific pin _PS2 . In some possible embodiments, the slots 340 and 350 have latches 341 and 351, respectively. In this example, 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 the user from inserting different types of memory modules into the slots 340 and 350. When the user inserts different types of memory modules into the slots 340 and 350 (e.g., the user inserts a DDR4 memory module into the slot 340 and inserts an LPDDR4 memory module into the slot 350), the motherboard 300 stops operating. The present invention does not limit the number of slots. In other embodiments, the motherboard 300 may have other numbers of slots.

The control circuit 310 includes a platform path controller 311. The platform path controller 311 determines whether the memory module is inserted into the slots 340 and 350 according to the voltage level V _S1 of the specific pin _PS1 and the voltage level V _{S2 of the specific pin PS2. For} example, when the memory module has not been inserted into the slots 340 and 350, the voltage levels V _S1 and V _S2 meet the initial values. When the memory module is inserted into the slots 340 and/or 350, the voltage levels V _S1 and/or V _S2 will change. At this time, the platform path controller 311 determines the type of the memory module according to the voltage levels V _S1 and V _S2 . Since the method of determining the type of the memory module by the platform path controller 311 is the same as that of the platform path controller 111 in FIG. 1A, it will not be repeated.

In this embodiment, when the first memory module is inserted into the slot 340 and the second memory module is inserted into the slot 350, if the voltage level V _S1 is different from the voltage level V _S2 , it means that the type of the first memory module is different from the type 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 platform path controller 311 may suspend the operation, or command the voltage generating circuit 330 to suspend outputting the working voltage to the slots 340 and 350 by adjusting the signal _SA . In some possible embodiments, the platform path controller 311 may not extract the boot code COD _A or COD _B. In other embodiments, the platform path controller 311 may read the boot code (such as COD _A ) of the first memory module according to the set value, and command the voltage generating circuit 330 to output a suitable working voltage to the slot 340, but not output any working voltage to the slot 350. After completing the boot operation, the platform path controller 311 will issue a warning message to inform the user that the types of the memory modules are different, so as to facilitate the user to replace or remove them in real time.

However, when the voltage level V _S1 is the same as the voltage level V _S2 , it indicates that the type of the first memory module is the same as the type of the second memory module. Therefore, the platform path controller 311 extracts a suitable boot code (such as _CODA ) from the storage circuit 320. In some possible embodiments, the platform path controller 311 provides the boot code to a central processor (not shown). The central processor may be integrated into the control circuit 310 or independent of the control circuit 310. In this example, the central processor reads the first and/or second memory modules according to the boot code provided by the platform path controller 311 to execute a boot procedure.

In some embodiments, the control circuit 310 may further include a switch circuit (not shown). The switch circuit determines whether the voltage level _VS1 is the same as the voltage level _VS2 . When the voltage level _VS1 is the same as the voltage level _VS2 , the switch circuit provides a boot code COD _A or COD _B to the platform path controller 311 according to the voltage level _VS1 . In other embodiments, the control circuit 310 further includes a voltage adjustment element (not shown) for processing the adjustment signal _SA and generating a setting signal (not shown). In this example, the voltage generation circuit 330 provides the operating voltage to the slots 340 and 350 according to the setting signal.

In the present embodiment, the voltage generating circuit 330 is electrically connected to the slots 340 and 350 through different pins, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. 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, they will not be described in detail. In addition, the characteristics of the storage circuit 320 are similar to those of the storage circuit 120 in FIG. 1A, so they will not be described in detail. In other embodiments, the storage circuit 220 in FIG. 2A can replace the storage circuit 320 in FIG. 3.

When different types of memory modules are inserted into the slots 340 and 350, the voltage levels V _S1 and V _S2 of the specific pins PS1 and _{PS2 of the slots 340 and 350 will change. Therefore, by detecting the changes in the voltage levels V S1 and V S2 of the specific pins PS1 and PS2 , the} type of the memory module can be known, and according to the type of the memory module, a suitable operating voltage is provided to the memory module and a suitable boot code is selected to perform the boot procedure so that the motherboard 300 operates normally.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) herein are generally understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, unless otherwise expressly stated, the definition of a term in a general dictionary should be interpreted as consistent with the meaning in the article in the relevant art field, and should not be interpreted as an ideal state or overly formal tone.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the system, device or method of the embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by a physical embodiment of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims (15)

1. A motherboard supporting different types of memory, comprising: A storage circuit for storing a first power-on code and a second power-on code; A first slot is used to insert a first memory module and has a first specific pin, wherein the first memory module controls a voltage level of the first specific pin; A second slot for inserting a second memory module; A control circuit extracts the first or second boot code according to the voltage level of the first specific pin; and 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 it to the first slot. in: When the voltage level of the first specific pin meets the 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 meet the first preset value, the voltage generating circuit generates the second working voltage and the control circuit extracts the second boot code. When the first memory module is inserted into the first slot, the second memory module is inserted into the second slot, and the type of the first memory module is different from the type of the second memory module, the voltage generating circuit supplies power to the first slot and does not supply power to the second slot. 2. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises: The platform path controller generates an adjustment signal according to the voltage level of the first specific pin to control the voltage generating circuit to generate the first or second working voltage to provide to the first slot. 3. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control circuit further comprises: The central processing unit reads the first memory module according to the first or second boot code, in: When the voltage level of the first specific pin meets the first preset value, the platform path controller provides the first boot code to the central processing unit. When the voltage level of the first specific pin does not meet the first preset value, the platform path controller provides the second boot code to the central processing unit. 4. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control circuit further comprises: The voltage adjustment element generates a setting signal according to the adjustment signal, wherein the voltage generating circuit generates the first or second operating voltage according to the setting signal. 5 . The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the storage circuit comprises a basic input and output system for storing the first and second boot codes. 6. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage circuit comprises: A first storage element, used to store the first boot code; and The second storage element is used to store the second boot code. 7. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control circuit comprises: A switch circuit, according to the voltage level of the first specific pin, conducts a first path or a second path, wherein the first path is electrically connected between the output end and the first storage element, and the second path is electrically connected between the output end and the second storage element; and A platform path controller is electrically connected between the output terminal and the voltage generating circuit. in: When the voltage level of the first specific pin meets the first preset value, the switch circuit turns on the first path. When the voltage level of the first specific pin does not meet the first preset value, the switch circuit turns on the second path. 8 . The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the first storage element comprises a first basic input and output system, and the second storage element comprises a second basic input and output system. 9. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the voltage level of the first specific pin meets a second preset value, the voltage generating circuit generates the second operating voltage and the control circuit executes the second boot code, and the second preset value is different from the first preset value. 10. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the voltage level of the first specific pin meets a third preset value, the voltage generating circuit generates a third operating voltage and the control circuit executes a third boot code, and the third boot code is stored in the storage circuit. 11. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the first memory module is inserted into the first slot, the first memory module provides a serial detection information to the first specific pin, and the control circuit extracts the first or second boot code according to the serial detection information. 12 . The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second slot has a second specific pin, and the second memory module controls a voltage level of the second specific pin. 13 . The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the first memory module is a DDR4 memory module, and the second memory module is a LPDDR4 memory module. 14. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as claimed in claim 12, wherein when the first and second memory modules are respectively inserted into the first and second slots and the voltage level of the first specific pin is different from the voltage level of the second specific pin, the control circuit stops operating. 15. The motherboard supporting different types of memories as described in claim 1, wherein the first slot has a first latch, the second slot has a second latch, and a position of the first latch relative to the first slot is the same as a position of the second latch relative to the second slot.