JP2943732B2 - Hot-swap controller - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for preventing signal distortion occurring at the time of hot-swap in an opto-electronic processor board used for interconnection or the like using an optical interface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of massively parallel computers and large-capacity switching systems, higher speed and larger capacity have been desired. Therefore, an optical interconnection technology using an optical interface module has attracted attention as a method for realizing the same. Among them, an array optical interconnection technology using an array optical element and an array optical element driving circuit has been spotlighted.

[0003] The array optical interconnection technology is
This is a technology that uses an optical fiber as a transmission medium between devices, units, and devices up to several hundred meters, and transmits data using an optical interface module arrayed in its transmitting and receiving part.

[0004] System maintenance and function upgrades in such array optical interconnection technology are performed using the daughter board as a unit. That is, the work such as the upgrade is performed by replacing the daughter board having the new function with the daughter board having the old function which has been used conventionally. Also,
These operations are usually performed in a hot-line state in order to improve the efficiency of system operation (hereinafter, referred to as hot-line insertion and removal).

However, when the daughter board is replaced in a live state, the power supply may be disrupted or a pulse voltage as shown in FIG. 4 may be generated due to contact noise at the connection terminal. As a result, there is a problem that the pulse voltage is applied to the driver circuit on the daughter board to cause crosstalk, and the optical signal output from the daughter board is distorted. Therefore, in the related art, when the daughter board is inserted, the power supply terminal is connected first, and then after a sufficient time has passed, the optical terminal is connected, thereby suppressing the occurrence of the above-described trouble. Further, when removing the daughter board, the connection of the optical terminal is disconnected first, and then after a sufficient time has passed, the connection of the power terminal is disconnected.

Here, a conventional hot-swap controller for a daughter board that carries out data transmission by electric signals will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional hot-swap controller for exchanging electrical signals between a daughter board and a backboard. In the figure, a surge absorber pin 41 is provided on a back board 4.
, A voltage application pin 42, a ground pin 43, and a signal pin 44. A power supply 40 is connected to the surge absorber pins 41, the voltage application pins 42, and the ground pins 43.

On the daughter board 5, a surge absorber socket 52, a voltage application socket 53, a ground socket 54, and a signal socket 55 are provided. The surge absorber 51 is connected to the surge absorber socket 52, and the electronic circuit 50 is connected to the voltage application socket 53 and the like.

[0008] With this configuration, in the conventional example shown in FIG.
When hot-plugging, the surge absorber pin 41 for arc discharge is connected before the voltage application pin 42 and the ground pin 43. Therefore, the power supply and signal terminals 41 to 4
The arc discharge generated at the time of connection of 4 is absorbed by a surge absorber 51 provided on the daughter board 5.

The above-described conventional hot-swap device for electric signals can be used as it is for optical interconnection technology. That is, by providing a surge absorber on each daughter board to suppress a surge or the like at the time of connection, it is possible to prevent an erroneous optical signal from being transmitted from the transmitter of the daughter board.

[0010]

However, in such a conventional hot-swap apparatus, it is necessary to provide a surge absorber and a surge absorber socket for each daughter board, and the circuit configuration and connection terminals are complicated and costly. There was a problem. The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and provides a hot-swap controller capable of performing hot-swap of a photoelectric fusion daughter board used in optical interconnection with an inexpensive and simple circuit configuration. It is intended to provide.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a hot-swap controller according to the present invention includes a shutter provided on an optical path in an optical connector adapter for adjusting a light transmission state. And a transmission state control means for controlling a transmission state of light in the shutter. With such a configuration, the present invention can prevent an erroneous optical signal from being generated due to a surge when a daughter board is connected.
By controlling the transmission state of light through the shutter, transmission of light between the daughter board and the computer can be prevented.

[0012]

Next, details of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a back board 1 is mounted on a computer 2. And computer 2
Are realized by the photoelectric fusion daughter board 3 connected to the back board 1.

That is, CPUs 35a to 35d and transmitters 33a and 33c
, Receivers 33b and 33d, and power connectors 31a and 3
1b, array optical connectors 32a to 32d, and array optical fibers 34a to 34d connecting the array optical connectors 32a to 32d and the transceiver. Similarly, the computer 2 is provided with receivers 21a and 21c and transmitters 21b and 21d. These transceivers are connected to the array optical connector adapters 12a to 12d on the backboard 1 via array optical fibers 22a to 22d. It is connected to the.

On the back board 1, power supply connector sockets 11a and 11b are provided. These sockets are connected to the power supply connectors 31a and 3a of the photoelectric fusion daughter board 3.
1b connected to the photoelectric fusion daughter board 3 from the computer 2
Is supplied to the power supply. Further, on the back board 1, there is provided a transmission state control circuit 13 for controlling a transmission state of a shutter provided inside the array optical connector adapters 12a to 12d.

Here, the structure of the array optical connector adapter 12 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a detailed structure of the array optical connector adapter according to FIG. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the array optical connector adapter according to FIG. The shutter 121 is provided on the optical path of the optical signal inside the array optical connector adapter 12. The transmittance of the shutter is controlled by a signal supplied via the control terminals 122 and 123.

That is, the shutter 121 is configured so that the transmittance changes according to the application of a voltage from the transmission state control circuit 13. For example, the shutter 121
VSTEP (Vertical to Surface) is a liquid crystal thin film that can create a light transmitting state and a light non-transmitting state, and an optical bistable element that can switch between a light transmitting state and a light non-transmitting state in response to application of a pulse signal. Trasmission
Electrophotonic device) (K.Kasahara et al., 'Doubl
e heterostructure optoelectronic switch asa dynami
c memory with low-power consumption ', Appl.Phys.Let
t.52 (9), 29 February 1988, Y.Tashiro et al., 'Vertic
al to surface trasmission electrophotonic device w
ith selectable output light channels', Appl Phys.Le
tt. 54 (4), 23 January 1989, etc.).

As described above, the transmittance of the shutter 121 is determined by the control terminals 122 and 12 connected to the shutter 121.
3 can be arbitrarily controlled by a control signal applied from the transmission state control circuit 13 via the transmission state control circuit 13. The shutter 121 may be a shutter that mechanically controls transmission and non-transmission of light.

The operation of the present invention having the above configuration and shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail. a) When the photoelectric fusion daughter board 3 is hot-inserted into the back board 1 When the photoelectric fusion daughter board 3 is not inserted into the back board 1, the transmittance of the shutter 121 is always set to the non-transmission state by the transmission state control circuit 13. Adjust it.
Therefore, even if an unnecessary optical signal is generated from the transmitters 33a and 33c due to a surge generated at the time of hot plugging, the computer 2
It is not transmitted to the main unit.

Thereafter, when the photoelectric fusion daughter board 3 is completely inserted into the back board 1, the transmission state control circuit 13
By adjusting the transmittance of the shutter, the transmittance of the shutter is adjusted to a transmission state, so that an optical signal can be transmitted. The mounting state of the photoelectric fusion daughter board 3 is determined by detecting pressure by a pressure sensor (not shown) provided in an adapter or a socket, or by turning on / off a switch attached to the back board 1. When the structure is further simplified, the operator may directly determine the mounting state and directly control the operation of the transmission state control circuit 13 without using the pressure sensor or the like.

B) Hot-line extraction of the photoelectric fusion daughter board 3 from the back board 1 Prior to the removal of the daughter board 3, the transmission state control circuit 13
This causes the transmittance of the shutter 121 to be in an opaque state. Therefore, even if an unnecessary optical signal is generated from the transmitters 21b and 21d due to the surge generated at the time of removing the hot wire, it is not transmitted to the daughter board 3.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, the transmission state of the shutter provided in the optical connector adapter can be controlled at the time of hot plugging and unplugging, so that an erroneous optical signal generated at the time of hot plugging and unplugging can be controlled. Can be prevented from being transmitted between the backboard and the daughterboard.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a structure of an array optical connector adapter 12 according to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a structure of the array optical connector adapter 12 according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing surges generated during hot-line insertion and removal.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Back board, 2 ... Computer, 3 ... Photoelectric fusion daughter board, 11a, 11b ... Power supply connector socket, 12
a, 12b, 12c, 12d ... array optical connector adapter, 13 ... transmission state control circuit, 21a, 21c, 33
b, 33d: receiver, 21b, 21d, 33a, 33c
... transmitters, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 22a,
22b, 22c, 22d... Array optical fiber, 31a,
31b ... power connector, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32
d: Array optical connector, 35a, 35b, 35c, 35
d: CPU.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An apparatus for controlling hot-swap of a back board having a power connector socket and an optical connector adapter and a daughter board having a power connector and an optical connector, the device being provided on an optical path in the optical connector adapter. A hot-swap controller comprising: a shutter that adjusts a light transmission state; and a transmission state control unit that controls a light transmission state of the shutter. 2. The hot-swap controller according to claim 1, wherein the transmission state control means includes: a) when hot-inserting the daughter board into the backboard, prior to connecting the power connector to the power connector socket; After the transmission state of the shutter is controlled, the transmission of light is blocked, and after the connection between the power connector and the power connector socket and the connection between the optical connector and the optical connector socket are performed, the transmission state of the shutter is controlled to control the light. B) When the daughter board is hot-plugged from the backboard, prior to disconnecting the power connector from the power connector socket, the transmission state of the shutter should be controlled to block the transmission of light. Hot-swap controller. 3. The hot-swap controller according to claim 1, wherein the shutter is formed of a liquid crystal thin film and has a transmittance that changes in response to application of a voltage supplied from a transmission state control unit. Hot-swap controller. 4. The hot-swap controller according to claim 1, wherein the shutter is formed by an optical bistable element, and the transmittance changes in response to application of a pulse signal supplied from the transmission state control means. A hot-swap controller.