FR2796518A1 - Autonomous electronic microprocessor unit having outer parallel sections central boards connected and central processor control unit and having single standard slot connector plug. - Google Patents

Abstract

The autonomous pluggable electronic assembly has parallel outer sections (12) with a central zone having processor controls (3). There is a single slot connector plug (15). There are boards (1A) which are removable and can be connected to the two outer sections.

Description

Autonomous electronic assembly comprising electronic cards subject to a frame.

The present invention relates to a unitary and autonomous electronic assembly, pluggable into a standard connector and having a plurality of removable cards, whose structure is simple and has autonomous operating means.

It is possible, thus, to add this set to an existing electronic device, including a microcomputer, to provide a plurality of functions in a compact form, bulky, and without having to intervene on the circuitry of the device.

 Among the possible applications of the invention, it is necessary to mention the multimedia communication networks, that is to say, transferring computer data, graphic elements (images) and sound elements (music, noise, voice).

In this field, the invention makes it possible to equip terminals of different types to provide them in a very simple way with a new and complex function, namely the processing of data, images and sounds.

Due to its very competitive price, the electronic assembly of the invention is particularly applicable to small configurations.

In addition, because of its modularity, the same set can be gradually extended to larger and more complex configurations.

To this end, the subject of the invention is an autonomous electronic assembly that can be plugged into a standard electronic connector called a "slot", comprising at least one card, that is to say a flat base having contacts, conductive elements and components arranged and connected to form together at least one circuit, characterized in that it is formed of a structure comprising two parallel branches between which is a central zone and which have two opposite faces located in two parallel planes, this set comprising on the one hand an electronic management and control subassembly subject to the structure and having a single plug-in connector in the standard connector called "slot" and, on the other hand, separate cards which are fixed in a removable manner, in particular above the central zone, with the two branches whose opposing faces each constitute a support for said cards, which are connected individually disconnected, branches and cards jointly determining an internal space.

According to other features of the invention the assembly is provided with a standard power supply, specific to it; the assembly being associated with an electronic device, such as a server, having a clean power supply and at least one distribution bus, the power supply specific to the assembly is independent of that of the bus; D the internal space is associated with ventilation means; the ventilation means are integrated in said assembly autonomously; the ventilation means are constituted by at least two fans that must work together, separately or in any combination; the ventilation means are constituted by at least two fans having to operate independently of each other, that is to say that at least one is in operation and another at least is waiting, so that this the latter can supply, by automatic switching, to another whose operation is impaired; the cards which are fixed over the central zone each comprise, on their two opposite sides to be adjacent to neighboring cards, at least two connecting elements connected by a conductor constituting a bus segment, each connecting element being intended for cooperating with a complementary element, to ensure the continuity of at least one bus by chaining the cards arranged flat, edge against edge, one after the other; the cards which are fixed over the central zone each comprise at least one connection element with at least one bus common to all the cards; the two parallel branches are connected by at least one transverse branch; the two parallel branches, at least, are made of a good heat dissipating material <B>; </ B> the two parallel branches, at least, have a surface state, in particular an alternation of recesses and reliefs, suitable for give them radiator qualities. The invention will be better understood from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Of course, the description and the drawing are given only by way of indicative and nonlimiting example.

Figure 1 is an electronic diagram showing how to connect the main components: cards, buses, networks.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a structure according to the invention, which complies with the electronic diagram of Figure 1, and which allows compactness such that one obtains an autonomous assembly and pluggable minimum space requirement.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view in longitudinal section of the assembly of FIG. 3.

Basically, an assembly according to the invention comprises a plurality of electronic cards, controlled and managed by an electronic subassembly that can be called "motherboard" as opposed to other cards called "daughter cards", all grouped into an assembly having a unitary structure, its own power supply and its operating logistics, namely a single contact strip (or connector) to cooperate with a single standard connector (called "slot") and possibly a ventilation device.

To illustrate the invention, its application has been chosen for computers, servers and multimedia telecommunications access (transfer of data, images and sounds).

The miniaturization of electronic components of all kinds has led to the production of much smaller "electronic boards" than conventional "electronic boards" for computers.

An "electronic card" is a set of circuits arranged on the two opposite large faces of a planar insulating support, one or both faces receiving the different components (transistors, microprocessors, memories) necessary for one or more specific functions. The electronic devices, including microcomputers, have one or more slots each associated with a slot, so that one can implement selectively, simply by plugging function cards, either from the beginning of the start-up of the device, or later. Similarly, the cards can be removed just as easily, one by one, and replaced by another.

For example, a microcomputer can be installed in a user with a basic configuration that does not include any additional cards. Then, we can add a "radio reception" card, a "television" card, etc.

For a given function, advanced technology electronic cards are now ten times smaller than electronic cards with the current standard of "personal computer" type computers.

The present invention makes it possible to create modular assemblies of several small functional cards, each of which is a single card to the current standard of "personal computer" type computers.

Figure 1 shows the diagram corresponding to an assembly according to the invention.

The function cards 1, called in practice "signal processing units" or "UTS", are connected in parallel to a mixed bus 2 called "protocol transfer", ensuring on the one hand the transfer of the signals to be processed. and the data developed.

In addition, a card 3 for processing the "input" and "output" functions is connected to junctions 4 with an external network of more or less specialized transfer lines, including the lines of the digital integration networks of% ervices ("ISDN ").

The bus 2 is connected to a subset composed of a central processing unit ("ÜTC") 5, itself connected to a bus 6 by a slot (not shown) for the functional communication of the set with a device electronic and to a local network bus 7.

The central processing unit 5 comprises on the one hand a signal shaper 8 making it possible to group in "packets" the data intended for the external network via the junctions 4 and, on the other hand, a processor 9.

The shaper 8 acts as a data switch between the card 3, the different buses and the processor 9. In addition, it bundles the data from the external network by the connections 4 to store them in the memory of the unit central processing unit 5.

The cards 1 are signal processing units "UTS" which all have the same length, and possibly different widths.

Some are specialized units using specific components, while others are general purpose and have capabilities tailored to each particular case. Thus, some cards are designed for 12 modems (modulator-demodulators), others for 24 modems, etc.

To concretely achieve a structure having all the features just described, the invention consists in organizing all the cards necessary for complete autonomous operation, according to the diagram of FIG. 2.

It can be seen in this FIG. 2 that two parallel rigid branches 11 and 12 are used, which here are connected by two transverse branches 13 and 14, the whole constituting a frame serving as support for the cards 1.

In this diagram, it can be seen that all the cards 1 are fixed to the branches 11 and 12 and are connected in parallel to the bus 2. At the right part of the diagram, are the central processing unit 5, the signal shaper 8 and the processor 9.

The central unit 5 comprises a connector 15 of known type, for plugging the assembly into a slot of an electronic device.

At the right end of the figure, is placed the card input I output 3 and the junctions 4.

At the opposite end, on the left of the figure, there is schematized a ventilation unit 16 for maintaining at reasonable temperature the various cards and their components whose operation causes a rise in temperature.

In this Figure 2, the cards 1 have been shown in a simplified manner to allow easy observation of their connection to the bus 2 but, in reality, is a much more rational and compact, as will now be described with reference to the figures 3 to 5.

In these figures, the same elements bear the same references, it being specified however that the cards 1 located on one side of the frame are assigned the index A, that is to say, <B> IA, </ B> whereas the cards 1 on the opposite side are assigned the index B, namely 1 B. Thus, face to face cards are fixed by any means, here screws 20, the two opposite planes of the branches 11 and 12, placing opposite , but without contact, IC components mounted on cards 1 A and 1 B.

A central zone is thus created limited by the branches 11 and 12, by the cards 1A and by the cards IB. Considering the orientation of the drawing of Figure 3, the branches <B> 11 </ B> and 12 are lateral, the cards <B> IA </ B> are at the top and the cards 1B are at the party lower, but in reality, this set can be in different orientations, including singing.

In the central zone are the IC components variously distributed according to their location on the circuits of cards IA and IB. The operation of some of them causes their heating and we know that we must evacuate the ambient air and heated. For this purpose, electronic devices (especially computers) are equipped with a cooling system consisting of at least one fan that draws air from the outside, propels it onto the components where it absorbs heat before emerging. of the device by gills.

As the skilled person knows, it would be equivalent to push the hot internal air outward instead of pushing the outside fresh air inwards.

Here, the ventilation unit 16 is placed at one end of the assembly where it sucks the outside air and propels it into the central zone which forms a kind of tunnel. The air passes, according to arrows F1, on all IC components confined in this tunnel and is discharged near the opposite end, and in any case downstream of the components to be cooled.

Group 16 comprises two fans 21 and 22 which are shown in the form of propellers but which can also be of any other type, including paddle wheel. Each of them is rotated by individual means (not shown) and their operation is controlled so that only one is running and the other is stopped, the latter being immediately turned on if the first stops because of any failure. Switching is automatic so that ventilation is always assured when card traffic demands it because of the resulting rise in temperature. Naturally, it can also adopt a different operation, that is to say that we can provide a single ventilation system, one or more units, associated with an alarm in case the ventilation system is defective.

Similarly, it is possible to install at least two ventilation units operating separately or together depending on the desired airflow, which is obviously a function of the temperature in the central area.

The shutdown of a fan is advantageously signaled to the user by an alarm system, so that he can repair or replace it and thus restore the operational safety of the assembly.

To help keep the 1C components at a good temperature, the branches 11 and 12 are made of a good heat sink material. I1 can be aluminum profiles, for example, whose inner and outer faces advantageously have an alternation of recesses and reliefs which here come from longitudinal grooves, in order to obtain a radiator effect able to evacuate part of the heat, radiation outside.

As explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, all the cards IA and 1B must be connected to the various buses necessary for the operation of the assembly.

It is possible to provide each of the <B> IA </ B> and 1B cards with a function element (not shown) on each of their two transverse sides to the central zone, or central space, the two connecting elements being connected to each other so that each card constitutes an element of electrical transmission chain buses and drivers.

For this, the cards should not only be laid flat near each other but should also be in electrical contact with each other.

This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 5 by providing that the two transverse sides of the cards have a rim 23-24 half the thickness of the cards themselves and placed in opposition, as can be seen more clearly on the right side of the card. FIG. 5, which shows a card 1A ready to be placed according to the arrow F2, that is to say by inserting its rim 23 under the edge 24 of the last card <B> IA </ B> already placed, then fixing it flat on the branches <B> 11 </ B> 'and 12 by means of two screws 20. This provision assumes that the cards 1 are specially designed or prepared, so that the connecting elements are located not in the plane of the cards but on their edges 23 and 24 to ensure the card-to-card contacts.

It goes without saying that in practice any other solution is possible, since the electrical junction elements of two neighboring cards are in contact with each other and ensure the continuity of the connections card by card, from one end to the other of the whole set.

This chaining arrangement may not be desired, since removing a single <B> IA </ B> or 1B card interrupts chaining and, therefore, removes the connection of the following cards, including one or more bus.

A non-chained arrangement is then provided, the cards being connected in parallel and no longer in series, as is evoked by the diagram of FIG. 2. The bus or buses may, for example, be constituted by rigid conductors of the kind rail, located in the central area and to which the cards are connected by clips, staples, clips and other convenient mechanical elements.

With cards 1 having a length of 100 millimeters, a width of 35 mm and a thickness of 4 mm, the complete assembly has a total thickness of about 16 mm and occupies only one PCI slot.

The same set according to the invention can comprise up to 10 cards 1 for 15 to 120 ports and 0 to 80 modems.

So that the whole is entirely autonomous, it can have a specific supply.

For this, it is provided with a plug 30 of any known type, with which must cooperate a standard connector 31 disposed at the end of a cable 32.

The implementation of an assembly according to the invention consists simply in plugging the connector 15 into the standard slot of the device to be equipped, and engaging the standard power connector 31 in the socket 30.

Among the applications of the invention, mention may be made of the remote access servers / routers with fault tolerance. An assembly according to the invention placed in a so-called "server" apparatus, operating for example under "WINDOWS" (registered name) type NT , UNIX or LINUX (registered names) which makes it possible to realize a powerful multimedia communication server # 720 access to a digital telephone network, # modems, # fax modems, # telephone sets, # data routers.

All ports have access to all installed resources.

The installation thus made resists a failure of a connection line, a processor, a modem or a power supply.

A set may also constitute a complete data router type "ROUTERWARE" (registered name) covering a portion of the range proposed by the company CISCO TELEPHONE FRONTAUX TELEPHONES VOICE SERVERS The invention allows the transmission of voice on networks such as INTERNET as well as access to these networks from terminals of the "MINITEL" type (registered name). VOICE-RECOGNIZED SERVERS The invention makes it possible to obtain speech recognition products having both qualities of reliability and reasonable prices, having multiple applications.

NETWORK CONNECTION CONCENTRATORS Currently, in France and some European countries, users of INTERNET-type networks must use a simple public telephone network. It now appears specialized networks allowing direct access to the INTERNET. The transmission of voice on these specialized networks is more economical because it is possible to use a bandwidth of 5 to 8 kilobits per second (Kbps) rather than the current band of 64 Kbps. In addition, the silence of a telephone call can be exploited.

In an area of a few square kilometers, telephone operators install subscriber connection units for 1,000 terminals. The traffic per subscriber being of the order of 0.12 Erlang (the Erlang is a unit of measurement of the intensity of telephone traffic), the total for 1,000 terminals is 120 Erlang, or about 120 X 6 = 720 Kbps We see that a simple link at 1200 Kbps (1.2 mega bits per second) is sufficient to sell this traffic. For total security, two links of 1.2 Mbps can be provided instead of one.

This solution made possible by the invention is very inexpensive because the price of a set is negligible compared to that of the equipment needed for 1,000 terminals, so that thanks to the economy of leasing links, the total equipment s 'amortized in a few months only.

We see that the invention gives different terminals (computers of all types, servers, etc.) access to computer networks for the transfer of data, images and sounds.

The invention can be used to provide links between digital telephone networks and computer networks, or to realize subscriber hubs.

An assembly according to the invention allows a modularity through which the basic set is very affordable for small configurations and can then be extended to large systems, since 30 access including 15 voice servers and 15 fax machines up to several thousand access.

First and foremost, an assembly according to the invention can be associated with a micro computer whose very large number will increase further.

It can be seen that the invention makes it possible to use an assembly whose structure is provided with a greater or lesser number of <B> IA </ B> and / or 1B cards, so that one can equip a device with only two cards, for example, then expand the possibilities of the same set by successive additions of cards.

When the assembly comprises only two cards, the heating due to their operation may not require specific ventilation, in which case the structure of the assembly does not include a ventilation system.

If the general ventilation of the equipped appliance is not sufficient, a specific ventilation system must be provided, but if the number of cards is low, the central area should remain completely open, so that the ventilation would be inoperative.

In this case, it is advantageous to complete the closure of the central zone by means of caches to form a kind of tunnel in which the ventilation air is confined and circulates energetically on the elements to be cooled, instead of dispersing in the air. space that surrounds the whole.

To do this, it is possible to use neutral maps that can easily be replaced individually by operational maps as and when the extension needs.

Claims (12)

1. Electronic assembly autonomous and pluggable into a standard electronic connector called "slot", comprising at least one card, that is to say a flat base having contacts, conductive elements and components arranged and connected together to constitute least one circuit, characterized Qn <U> that it is formed of a structure comprising two parallel branches (11 and 12) between which is a central zone and which have two opposite faces located in two parallel planes , this assembly comprising on the one hand an electronic management and control subassembly (3 to 9) secured to the structure and having a single connector (15) pluggable into the standard connector called "slot" and on the other hand separate cards (1A and 1B) which are removably attached, over the central area, to the two legs (11 and 12) whose opposite faces each constitute a support for said cards (1A and 1B), which are connectable and disconnectable individually, the branches (11 and 12) and the cards (l A - 1B) jointly determining an internal space. 2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a standard power supply plug (30), specific to it. 3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that </ U> 'being associated with an electronic device, such as a server, having a clean power supply and at least one distribution bus, the specific power supply to the set is independent of that of the bus. 4. The assembly of claim 1, characterized <U> in that </ U> the internal space is associated with ventilation means (16). 5. The assembly of claim 1, <U> characterized in flood </ U> the ventilation means (16) are integrated in said set in an autonomous manner. 6. The assembly of claim 4, characterized in that the ventilation means (16) are constituted by at least two fans (21 and 22) to operate together, separately or in any combination. 7. The assembly of claim 4, characterized <U> in that e </ U> the ventilation means (16) are constituted by at least two fans (21 and 22) to operate independently of one another, that is to say that at least one is in operation and at least one is waiting, so that the latter can replace, by automatic switching, to another whose operation is altered. 8. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the cards (1) which are fixed over the central zone each comprise, on their two opposite sides to be adjacent to neighboring cards, at least two connecting elements connected by a conductor constituting a bus segment, each connecting element being intended to cooperate with a complementary element, in order to ensure the continuity of at least one bus by chaining the cards arranged flat, edge on board, one after the other. 9. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the cards (1) which are fixed over the central zone each comprise at least one connecting element such as clip, clip, clip and the like. , with at least one bus common to all cards (1). 10. Electronic assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that </ U> the two parallel branches (11 and 12) are connected by at least one transverse branch (13 14). 11. The assembly of claim 1, <U> characterized in that </ U> the two parallel branches (11 and 12), at least, are made of a good heat sink material. 12. The assembly of claim 1, <U> characterized in that </ U> the two parallel branches (11 and 12), at least, have a surface state, including an alternation of hollows and reliefs, specific to their give radiator qualities.