SINGLE-SLOT PCIE CARD WITH EXPANDED MEMORY

A single-slot peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) card with expanded memory is provided. Embodiments described herein use two rigid circuit boards which are oriented perpendicular to each other. The two rigid circuit boards are connected by a flexible cable, which can be sandwiched between the laminates of the rigid boards. The flexible cable further provides high-speed signal connection and high-power connection between the two rigid boards. In addition, the two rigid boards can be secured by two mechanical retainers. This approach enables a PCIe card to have three or more (e.g., four) dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) while meeting the PCIe standard for single slot primary side height by placing the DIMM sockets horizontally, thus lowering the overall height of the PCIe card.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) cards.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices and systems are increasing in complexity and computation power, and often require additional system resources to support modern computing applications. Many of these applications deal with large amounts of data, thus requiring additional resources (e.g., memory and processing power) to efficiently perform computations. In this regard, computer processors and support systems are evolving to provide more computation throughput in smaller packages. Further, many computer systems include parallel architectures and processors to increase the available resources for computations.

Computer memory chips are being developed with higher density and transistor counts for devices. Standardization within the computing industry has also resulted in the creation of standardized memory products having quantized sizes and capacities. Modern computer systems often use these and other standardized components. Thus, increased memory size is often achieved by increasing the size or number of such memory chips, increasing the size of the underlying support architectures.

FIG.1Ais a schematic diagram of a dual in-line memory module (DIMM)10.FIG.1Bis a schematic diagram of a DIMM socket12. The DIMM is a standardized size of removable memory module mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), which fits into the DIMM socket12. DIMM10is natively 64 bits, providing for high-speed data transfer between the memory and other components of a computing system.

FIG.1Cis a schematic diagram of a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) card14. PCIe is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard in which PCIe cards14have a standardized size to interface with other components in a computing system (e.g., through a computer motherboard). PCIe cards14can take one or multiple slots, but must adhere to a maximum primary side height of 14.47 millimeters (mm) for single slot, 34.80 mm for dual slot, or 55.12 mm for triple slot.

FIG.2Ais a schematic diagram of a PCIe memory card16with vertically mounted DIMM sockets12.FIG.2Bis a side view of the PCIe memory card16ofFIG.2A. Because the PCIe standard does not allow for components to extend past the footprint illustrated inFIG.1C, this restricts how many DIMM sockets12can be mounted to the PCIe memory card16. In order to provide multiple DIMM sockets12(e.g.,4in the illustrated example), manufacturers may use vertically mounted DIMM sockets12. However, as illustrated inFIG.2B, once the DIMM10is inserted into the DIMM socket12, the primary side height of the PCIe memory card16is 31.90 mm, making it a dual slot PCIe card since it exceeds the maximum of 14.47 mm for single slot.

FIG.3Ais a schematic diagram of a PCIe memory card18with angle-mounted DIMM sockets.FIG.3Bis a side view of the PCIe memory card18ofFIG.3A. Another approach to providing multiple DIMM sockets12on the PCIe memory card18is to use angle-mounted DIMM sockets12. However, once the DIMM10is inserted into the DIMM socket12, the primary side height of the PCIe memory card16is 17.01 mm, making it a dual slot PCIe card since it exceeds the maximum of 14.47 mm for single slot

SUMMARY

A single-slot peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) card with expanded memory is provided. Embodiments described herein use two rigid circuit boards which are oriented perpendicular to each other. The two rigid circuit boards are connected by a flexible cable, which can be sandwiched between the laminates of the rigid boards. The flexible cable further provides high-speed signal connection and high-power connection between the two rigid boards. In addition, the two rigid boards can be secured by two mechanical retainers. This approach enables a PCIe card to have three or more (e.g., four) dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) while meeting the PCIe standard for single slot primary side height by placing the DIMM sockets horizontally, thus lowering the overall height of the PCIe card.

An exemplary embodiment provides a PCIe card. The PCIe card includes a first circuit board comprising a PCIe connector and a second circuit board electrically connected with the first circuit board and angled transverse to the first circuit board, the second circuit board comprising a DIMM socket.

Another exemplary embodiment provides a single-slot PCIe card. The single-slot PCIe card includes a first circuit board comprising a PCIe connector and a second circuit board electrically connected with the first circuit board and comprising three or more DIMM sockets.

Another exemplary embodiment provides a computer peripheral card. The computer peripheral card includes a first circuit board comprising laminate layers and a second circuit board angled transverse to the first circuit board, the second circuit board comprising a memory module connector. The computer peripheral card further includes a flexible electrical connection between the first circuit board and the second circuit board, wherein the flexible electrical connection exits the first circuit board between the laminate layers of the first circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A single-slot peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) card with expanded memory is provided. Embodiments described herein use two rigid circuit boards which are oriented perpendicular to each other. The two rigid circuit boards are connected by a flexible cable, which can be sandwiched between the laminates of the rigid boards. The flexible cable further provides high-speed signal connection and high-power connection between the two rigid boards. In addition, the two rigid boards can be secured by two mechanical retainers. This approach enables a PCIe card to have three or more (e.g., four) dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) while meeting the PCIe standard for single slot primary side height by placing the DIMM sockets horizontally, thus lowering the overall height of the PCIe card.

FIG.4Ais a schematic diagram of a single-slot PCIe card20with expanded memory according to embodiments described herein. The single-slot PCIe card20includes a first circuit board22, which has a PCIe connector24for interfacing with a PCIe socket on a computer motherboard or other device. The first circuit board22may have a standardized shape according to the PCIe standard.

In order to accommodate expanded memory (e.g., additional memory modules26), a second circuit board28is electrically connected to the first circuit board22. The second circuit board28is angled transverse (e.g., perpendicular, at 90 degrees±15 degrees, or at 90 degrees±5 degrees) to the first circuit board26and has one or more DIMM sockets30(e.g., configured to receive full-length DIMMs). In an exemplary aspect, the second circuit board28has three or more (e.g.,4) DIMM sockets30mounted transverse thereto, such that the memory modules26are parallel to the first circuit board22when inserted. One or more (e.g., two) DIMM sockets30may be mounted on a first major surface of the second circuit board28, and one or more (e.g., two) DIMM sockets30may be mounted on a second major surface of the second circuit board28opposite the first major surface.

FIG.4Bis a side view of the single-slot PCIe card20ofFIG.4A. Embodiments described herein allow a PCIe card to have four memory modules26(e.g., DIMMs) while meeting the PCIe single slot primary side height maximum of 14.47 millimeters (mm). By having the DIMM sockets30placed horizontally relative to the first circuit board22, the overall height of the single-slot PCIe card20is lowered relative to the approaches ofFIGS.2A-3B. In an exemplary embodiment, the single-slot PCIe card20, with memory modules26installed, has a primary side height of 14.20 mm, meeting the PCIe single slot primary side height requirement.

FIG.4Cis an expanded side view of the single-slot PCIe card20ofFIG.4A.FIG.4Dis another expanded side view of the single-slot PCIe card ofFIG.4A. As described above, the single-slot PCIe card20uses two rigid boards (e.g., the first circuit board22and second circuit board28) which are oriented perpendicular to each other. The first circuit board22and second circuit board28may be printed circuit boards (PCBs) and are connected by a flexible cable32.

In an exemplary aspect, the flexible cable32is sandwiched between the laminates of the first circuit board22and the second circuit board28. The flexible cable32provides a high-speed signal connection and a high-power connection between the first circuit board22and the second circuit board28. In particular, the flexible cable32provides a high-speed memory channel for each DIMM socket30on the second circuit board28, such as four high-speed memory channels for the illustrated embodiment.

FIG.5Ais a side view of the single-slot PCIe card20with the second circuit board28aligned with the first circuit board22.FIG.5Bis a side view of the single-slot PCIe card20with the second circuit board28transverse to the first circuit board22. The flexible cable32needs to bend 90 degrees (±15 degrees) in order for the first circuit board22and the second circuit board28to be perpendicular to each other. The flexible cable32can be rigid flex or similar and can maintain impedance consistent to reduce the signal integrity return loss and insertion loss of other connectors. The flexible cable32can provide solid reference ground planes to reduce the noise coupling at a connector and can support enough power/ground layers and signal connections per needed to maintain better signal integrity.

FIG.5Cis a side view of the single-slot PCIe card20with the second circuit board28secured to the first circuit board22with a mechanical retainer34. After bending the flexible cable32, the first circuit board22and the second circuit board28can be secured by one or more mechanical retainers34, which may be attached via screws, rivets, adhesive, or another appropriate technique. The mechanical retainer34maintains the angle of the second circuit board28and constrains its position so that all memory modules26can be inserted into the DIMM sockets30without causing any displacement or damage to the flexible cable32.

FIG.6Ais a schematic diagram of the single-slot PCIe card20with the second circuit board28secured to the first circuit board22with mechanical retainers34.FIG.6Bis a side view of the mechanical retainer34securing the second circuit28board to the first circuit board22.FIG.6Cis an isometric view of the mechanical retainer34securing the second circuit board28to the first circuit board22.FIG.6Dis a top view of the mechanical retainer34securing the second circuit board28to the first circuit board22.

The mechanical retainer34has an L-shape so as not to impede the airflow to the memory modules26such that heat dissipation will be effective. The mechanical retainer34also has features36(e.g., an angled corner) which will not impede the opening and closing of the socket latch of the DIMM sockets30. When placed adjacent to the DIMM sockets30, the mechanical retainer34can also act as a shock and vibration retainer.

In an exemplary aspect, the mechanical retainer34is made from aluminum (or another metal, plastic, or other rigid material) and anodized to avoid electrical conductivity. Each mechanical retainer34can have four mounting locations38, each of which may be secured by a screw40and retaining nut42.

FIG.7Ais a top view of a memory expansion card44according to embodiments described herein. The memory expansion card44is a PCIe card as described above and may include a memory control circuitry and other components to support a PCIe connection for three or more random-access memory (RAM) modules, which may be dynamic RAM (DRAM), such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) or double data rate (DDR) SDRAM (e.g., DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, DDR5) modules.

FIG.7Bis a side view of the memory expansion card44ofFIG.7A.FIG.7Cis a top isometric view of the memory expansion card ofFIG.7A.FIG.7Dis a bottom isometric view of the memory expansion card ofFIG.7A.

It should be understood that exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to PCIe cards with expanded memory slots, but can also be used in any other products which require a similar PCB extension to include additional components while maintaining a particular primary side height, such as single slot.

FIG.8is a block diagram of a computer system800according to embodiments disclosed herein. The computer system800comprises any computing or electronic device capable of including firmware, hardware, and/or executing software instructions. In this regard, the computer system800may be a circuit or circuits included in an electronic board card, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), a server, a personal computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, an array of computers, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing pad, a mobile device, or any other device, and may represent, for example, a server or a user's computer.

The exemplary computer system800in this embodiment includes a processing device802or processor, a system memory804, and a system bus806. The processing device802represents one or more commercially available or proprietary general-purpose processing devices, such as a microprocessor, central processing unit (CPU), or the like. More particularly, the processing device802may be a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a processor implementing other instruction sets, or other processors implementing a combination of instruction sets. The processing device802is configured to execute processing logic instructions for performing the operations and steps discussed herein.

In this regard, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with the processing device802, which may be a microprocessor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Furthermore, the processing device802may be a microprocessor, or may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processing device802may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

The system memory804may include non-volatile memory808and volatile memory810. The non-volatile memory808may include read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like. The volatile memory810generally includes RAM (e.g., DRAM, such as SDRAM). A basic input/output system (BIOS)812may be stored in the non-volatile memory808and can include the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer system800.

The system bus806provides an interface for system components including, but not limited to, the system memory804and the processing device802. The system bus806may be any of several types of bus structures that may further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and/or a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures.

The computer system800may further include or be coupled to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a storage device814, which may represent an internal or external hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory, or the like. The storage device814and other drives associated with computer-readable media and computer-usable media may provide non-volatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and the like. Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to an HDD, it should be appreciated that other types of media that are readable by a computer, such as optical disks, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, may also be used in the operating environment, and, further, that any such media may contain computer-executable instructions for performing novel methods of the disclosed embodiments.

An operating system816and any number of program modules818or other applications can be stored in the volatile memory810, wherein the program modules818represent a wide array of computer-executable instructions corresponding to programs, applications, functions, and the like that may implement the functionality described herein in whole or in part, such as through instructions820on the processing device802. The program modules818may also reside on the storage mechanism provided by the storage device814. As such, all or a portion of the functionality described herein may be implemented as a computer program product stored on a transitory or non-transitory computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium, such as the storage device814, volatile memory810, non-volatile memory808, instructions820, and the like. The computer program product includes complex programming instructions, such as complex computer-readable program code, to cause the processing device802to carry out the steps necessary to implement the functions described herein.

An operator, such as the user, may also be able to enter one or more configuration commands to the computer system800through a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, or a touch-sensitive surface, such as the display device, via an input device interface822or remotely through a web interface, terminal program, or the like via a communication interface824. The communication interface824may be wired or wireless and facilitate communications with any number of devices via a communications network in a direct or indirect fashion. An output device, such as a display device, can be coupled to the system bus806and driven by a video port826. Additional inputs and outputs to the computer system800may be provided through the system bus806as appropriate to implement embodiments described herein.

The operational steps described in any of the exemplary embodiments herein are described to provide examples and discussion. The operations described may be performed in numerous different sequences other than the illustrated sequences. Furthermore, operations described in a single operational step may actually be performed in a number of different steps. Additionally, one or more operational steps discussed in the exemplary embodiments may be combined.