Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 87109584, filed Jun. 16, 1998, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a system clock switch circuit of a computer main board, and more particularly, to a system clock switch circuit of a computer main board that simultaneously sends out a reset signal and the frequency of the system clock changes. The reset signal restarts the computer with the new frequency, and prevents the computer from malfunctioning due to the non-synchronization between the computer main board and peripherals. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Since disclosure of the architectures of the IBM-compatible AT and XT personal computers to industry, the performance and the architectures of personal computers have been improved and modified by the entire computer industry in many ways. The major progress made on personal computers over the years includes upgrading the frequency of the central processing unit (CPU) clock, which started at 4.77 MHz and now exceeds 300 MHz. Because the frequency of the CPU is far beyond the clock frequency of a modern computer main board, every CPU contains two different frequencies, an internal frequency and an external frequency, wherein the external frequency is the same as the clock frequency of the computer main board. Currently, the clock frequencies of computer main boards used in industry include the standard 66 MHz and 100 MHz, and non-standard 75 MHz and 83 MHz. 
     Even though the clock frequency of a computer main board is selective, some peripherals still need to work under fixed frequencies. For example, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface can only work at a frequency of 33 MHz and an accelerated graphics port (AGP) interface can only work at a frequency of 66 MHz. Hence, the ratio between the clock frequency of a computer main board and the clock frequency of a peripheral has to be considered when the clock frequency of the computer main board changes. For instance, in the case that the system clock frequency of a computer main board is 100 MHz, the clock frequency of an AGP interface is two thirds the system clock frequency, and the clock frequency of a PCI interface is one third the system clock frequency. If the system clock frequency is 66 MHz, the clock frequency of an AGP interface is equal to the system clock frequency, and the clock frequency of a PCI interface is one half the system clock frequency. 
     A block diagram representing a conventional computer main board is shown in FIG. 1, wherein the computer main board includes a CPU  110 , a chipset  120 , a PCI interface  130 , an AGP interface  140 , a clock generator  150 , a frequency switch circuit  160 , and a startup circuit  170 . CPU  110  handles the operation of the entire computer main board. Chipset  120  is a single integrated circuit (IC) chip that contains all the integrated control circuits of the computer main board. So, a CPU communicates with peripherals on the computer main board, such as the PCI interface  130  and AGP interface  140 , through the chipset  120 . 
     Users can change the system clock frequency of a computer main board  100  through a frequency switch circuit  160 . In an earlier design of a computer main board, jumps are used to set and change the system clock frequency. Since jumps must be set manually, which is not very convenient, a jumperless-setting design that combines software setup and hardware circuit is now used on most computer main boards. 
     Clock generator  150  provides clock signals CLK, AGP_CLK, and PCI_CLK, which are then sent to the chipset  120 , the AGP interface  140 , and the PCI interface  130 , respectively. The clock generator  150  can be controlled by either hardware settings or commands from CPU  110 . Currently, the most widely used controlling bus is an inter-integrated circuit (I 2 C) bus introduced by Philips, wherein the I 2 C bus needs at least three signal lines, the data line, the clock line, and the reference ground line, to operate. Every peripheral connected to the I 2 C bus has with a unique ID code, so it is easy to hook up peripherals to an I 2 C bus. 
     Because the clock generator  150  can be controlled by commands from CPU  110 , the system clock frequency of a computer main board can be set through software as well. Because the system clock frequency can be changed, chipset  120  determines the current system clock frequency through a lead {overscore (MAB)}, and determines the ratio of a peripheral, such as a PCI interface or an AGP interface, to the system clock frequency. f the information about system clock frequency obtained through {overscore (MAB)} is not correct, the frequency used by the chipset  120  to communicate with peripherals is then accordingly incorrect and that causes system malfunction. 
     In addition, because the number of leads on the chipset  120  is limited by its size, a lead is used for different purposes at different moments. Chipset  120  only obtains information about the system clock frequency through the {overscore (MAB)} when a reset signal RST is received, and then chipset  120  uses lead {overscore (MAB)} for something else after the system starts, wherein the RST is provided by the startup circuit  170  to handle resetting the system. Because chipset  120  only determines the system clock frequency after receiving a reset signal RST, if a RST is not sent after the system clock frequency is changed, chipset  120  is then not able to find out the change in the system clock frequency. 
     On the other hand, because the frequency multiplying circuit within CPU  110  is not able to respond to status, the clock generator  150  gradually change the system clock frequency to a desired one after a command tp change frequency is received. As shown in FIG. 2A, the system clock frequency is changed from 66 MHz at t 1  to 100 MHz at t 2  after the clock generator  150  receives a command to change system clock frequency. However, the frequencies of peripherals, such as PCI and AGP interfaces, are simply obtained by dividing the system clock frequency by fixed ratios. In result, the frequencies at the peripheral interfaces change steeply after a command to change frequency is received by the clock generator, and then gradually relapse, as shown in FIG.  2 B. The clock signal CLK at the peripheral interface due to a steep frequency change is shown in FIG. 2C, which causes system malfunctions, such as a glitch, or even system lockup, after the time t 1 . 
     FIGS. 3A to  3 C show the other cases where frequency changes from 100MHz to 66MHz during the time t 1  to t 2 . Similarly, system malfunction, such as a glitch or even system lockup, happens after the time t 1 . 
     According to the foregoing description, a conventional frequency switching method for a computer main board has the following drawbacks: 
     1. When the frequency from the clock generator changes, a reset signal is not simultaneously sent to the chipset to notify the chipset of the change in the frequency. The chipset is not able to communicate with peripherals with the proper frequency, and that causes system malfunctioning. 
     2. As soon as the clock generator receives a command to change frequency, it gradually changes the system clock frequency, while it immediately changes the frequency ratio. The frequency ratio change causes steep frequency changes at peripheral interfaces, and that leads to system malfunctioning, such as a glitch or even system lockup. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a system clock switch circuit for a computer main board that simultaneously sends out a reset signal with the change in the system clock frequency from the clock generator. The chipset is capable of communicating with peripherals at correct frequencies to ensure that the system works properly. 
     It is another an objective of the present invention to provide a system clock switch circuit for a computer main board that sends out a reset signal as soon as the clock generator receives a command to change system frequency and changes the system clock. The reset signal remains until the system clock frequency becomes stable. No steep changes in the clock frequency happen at the peripheral interfaces, which ensures that the system works properly. 
     In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention, the invention provides a preferable system clock switch circuit for a computer main board including a CPU, a chipset, and a clock generator. 
     The CPU, which is in charge of the operations of the computer main board, communicates with peripherals and controls the clock generator through the chipset, wherein the clock generator provides the chipset with a system clock frequency and a reset signal for operating the computer main board. 
     When the CPU changes the system clock frequency from the clock generator through the chipset, the clock generator changes the system clock frequency and, in the mean time, sends out a reset signal. The reset signal remains until the system clock frequency is completely changed. 
     The invention provides another preferred system clock switch circuit for a computer main board including a CPU, a chipset, a clock generator, and a reset signal generator. 
     The clock generator provides the CPU with a clock frequency for operating the computer main board. The reset signal generator provides the chipset with a reset signal. The CPU controls both the reset signal generator and the clock generator. 
     When the CPU changes the system clock frequency from the clock generator through the chipset, the clock generator changes the system clock frequency and, in the mean time, the reset signal generator sends out a reset signal. The reset signal remains until the system clock frequency is completely changed. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system clock switch circuit for a computer main board further includes a status latch. When the CPU changes the system clock frequency, a parameter is stored in the status latch. At the moment that the computer is reset, the chipset retrieves the parameter stored in the status latch to determine parameters used for communicating with peripherals. The CPU controls the clock generator through an I 2 C bus within the chipset. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings, wherein 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a conventional system clock switch circuit for a computer main board; 
     FIG. 2A is a schematic plot showing the change of the system clock frequency from 66 MHz to 100 MHz; 
     FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing the change of the system clock frequency from 66 MHz to 100 MHz at a PCI interface; 
     FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram showing the change of the system clock waveform from 66 MHz to 100 MHz at a PCI interface; 
     FIG. 3A is a schematic plot showing the change of the system clock frequency from 100MHz to 66MHz; 
     FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the change of the system clock frequency from 100 MHz to 66 MHz at a PCI interface; 
     FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram showing the change of the system clock waveform from 100 MHz to 66 MHz at a PCI interface; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the system clock switch circuit for a computer main board of a preferred embodiment according to the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the system clock switch circuit for a computer main of another preferred embodiment according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the frequency switching procedures of the system clock switch circuit for a computer main board according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention provides a new system clock switch circuit for a computer main board. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a computer main board  400  comprises a CPU  110 , a chipset  120 , a PCI interface  130 , an AGP interface  140 , a clock generator  450 , and a status latch  470 . The clock generator  450  provides a system clock frequency and a system clock switch circuit needed for operating the computer main board. 
     The CPU  110  is in charge of the operations of the entire computer main board. The chipset  120  integrates controlling circuits on the computer main board  400  into an integrated circuit (IC), so that the CPU  110  communicates with peripherals, such as a PCI interface  130  and an AGP interface  140 , on the computer main board  400  through the chipset  120 . The AGP interface  140  is used to install a display card, and the PCI interface is used to install other peripheral interfaces. 
     The status latch  470  stores a status parameter of the system clock frequency. When the system is reset, the chipset  120  retrieves the status parameter of the system clock frequency from the status latch  470  to update the system clock frequency and setup the clock frequencies of the peripherals on the computer main board  400 . 
     The clock generator  450  provides a system clock frequency and a clock frequency switch circuit needed for operating the computer main board. The clock signal CLK and the reset signal RST are sent to the chipset  120  from the clock generator  450  for operating the computer main board  400 . The CPU  110  controls the clock generator  450  through a control signal bus  425 , such as an I 2 C bus, of the chipset  120 , which is equipped with the interface corresponding to the control signal bus. 
     As the CPU  110  sends a command to change the system clock frequency CLK to the clock generator  450  through the chipset  120 , a status parameter is set and stored in the status latch  470 . As soon as the clock generator  450  receives the command to change the system clock frequency CLK, it changes the system clock frequency and, in the mean time, activates the reset signal RST. The reset signal RST remains its activation until the system clock frequency CLK is completely changed to the new setting. During the activation of the reset signal RST, the chipset  120  retrieves the status parameter from the status latch  470  to obtain the new setting of the system clock frequency CLK for determining the ratios between the system clock frequency and peripherals. 
     The foregoing system clock switch circuit, which is based on a modified clock generator, simultaneously sends out a reset signal with the system clock frequency change. However, the clock generator used in the foregoing design contains a new circuit, so an existing clock generator cannot be employed in that design. Therefore, another preferred embodiment of the invention that contains a reset signal generator working with an existing clock generator is introduced. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a computer main board  500  contains a CPU  110 , a chipset  120 , a PCI interface  130 , an AGP interface  140 , a clock generator  550 , a reset signal generator  560 , and a status latch  570 . The clock generator  550  and the reset signal generator  560  provide a system clock frequency and a system clock switch circuit for operating the computer main board. 
     Similar to the circuit in the previous embodiment, the CPU  110  is in charge of the operations of the entire computer main board. The chipset  120  integrates controlling circuits on the computer main board  500  into an IC, so that the CPU  110  communicates with peripherals, such as a PCI interface  130  and an AGP interface  140 , on the computer main board  500  through the chipset  120 . The status latch  570  stores a status parameter of the system clock frequency. When the system is reset, the chipset  120  retrieves the status parameter of the system clock frequency from the status latch  570  to update the system clock frequency and setup the clock frequencies of the peripherals on the computer main board  500 . 
     The clock generator  550  and the reset signal generator  560  provide a system clock frequency and a system clock switch circuit needed for operation of the computer main board. The clock generator  550  sends a system clock frequency CLK to the chipset  120 , and the reset signal generator  560  sends a reset signal RST to the chipset  120 . The CPU  110  controls both the clock generator  550  and the reset signal generator  560  through the chipset  120  and a control bus  525 . The control bus  525  includes an I 2 C bus, and the chipset  120  contains an interface corresponding to the control bus. When commands are sent from the CPU  110  to the clock generator  550  through the chipset  120  and the control bus  525 , the reset signal generator  560  keeps checking on the commands from the chipset  120  to the clock generator  550 . As soon as a command to change system clock frequency is found, the reset signal generator immediately activates a reset signal RST. The reset signal RST remains activated until the system clock frequency is completely changed to the new setting. 
     Hence, if the system clock frequency CLK needs to be changed, a command to change system clock frequency has to be sent from the CPU  110  to the clock generator  550  through the chipset  120 , and a status parameter needs to be set and stored in the status latch  570 . Then, the clock generator  550  gradually changes the system clock frequency CLK to the new setting. At the same time, the reset signal generator  560  detects that the system clock is to be changed; it immediately activates a reset signal RST, wherein the reset signal RST is cancelled until the system clock frequency CLK is completely changed to the new setting. While the reset signal RST is activated, the chipset  120  obtains a status parameter from the status latch  570 , and determines the ratios between the system clock frequency and clock frequencies of peripherals by referring to the status parameter. 
     In accordance with the foregoing, the two preferred embodiments of the invention both activate a reset signal as soon as the system clock frequency is changed. As shown in FIG. 6, a flowchart is used to provide more detailed description on the functions of the two embodiments according to the invention. 
     First, for the first preferred embodiment of the invention, the block  610  represents the CPU  110  sending a command to change system clock frequency to the clock generator  450  through the chipset  120 . Then, in block  620 , the clock generator  450  changes the system clock frequency CLK gradually to the new setting after it receives the command from the CPU  110 . In the next step, block  630 , the clock generator  450  sends a reset signal RST to the chipset  120  as soon as it starts to change the system clock frequency CLK. Then, in block  640 , the reset signal RST from the clock generator  450  remains activated until the next step, block  650 , in which the system clock frequency CLK is completely changed to the new setting, is done. In block  660 , the clock generator  450  then cancels the reset signal RST, and the chipset  120  obtains a status parameter from the status latch  470 . And then, in block  670 , the computer is restarted with the new system clock frequency and new status parameter. 
     Next, for the second preferred embodiment of the invention, the block  610  represents the CPU  110  sending a command to change system clock frequency to the clock generator  550  and the reset signal generator  560  through the chipset  120 . Then, in block  620 , the clock generator  550  gradually changes the system clock frequency CLK to the new setting after it receives the command from the CPU  110 . In the next step, block  630 , the reset signal generator  560  sends a reset signal RST to the chipset  120  as soon as it detects the command sent to the clock generator  550  from the chipset  120  is about to change the system clock frequency CLK. Then, in block  640 , the reset signal RST from the reset signal generator  560  remains activated until the next step, block  650 , in which the system clock frequency CLK is completely changed to the new setting, is done. In block  660 , the reset signal generator  560  then cancels the reset signal RST, and the chipset  120  obtains a status parameter from the status latch  570 . Then, in block  670 , the computer is restarted with the new system clock frequency and new status parameter. 
     According to the foregoing, the invention includes at least the following advantages over a conventional system clock switch circuit: 
     1. As soon as the clock generator starts to change the system clock frequency, a reset signal is sent to alert the chipset that the system clock frequency is about to be changed, so that the chipset and peripherals are able to communicate with each other with correct clock frequencies. 
     2. Even though the system clock frequency is gradually changed to a new setting, the presence of a reset signal prevents the clock frequencies of peripherals from being steeply changed before the system clock frequency is completely changed to a new setting, so that glitches are avoided. 
     The invention has been described using exemplary preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Technology Category: 5