UNIVERSAL SCALABLE SYSTEM: ON-THE-FLY SYSTEM PERFORMANCE CONVERSION VIA PC-ON-A-CARD AND USB FOR SMART DEVICES AND IOT ENABLING

摘要

A universal interconnection scheme enables system architecture modularization with a hot-pluggable external computing module, such as a PC-on-a-card device using USB type-C technology. With the flexibility to interchange the system computing module with an external module, system performance can be augmented to fulfill the essential needs of the user, whether the system is a portable low-power tablet device, a smartphone, a wearable device such as an Internet of Things device, or a high-performance PC.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a host computing module comprising:
an input/output (I/O) module coupled to a bridge, the bridge comprising software and a hub;a default computing module comprising:
a central processing unit (CPU) having a first processing capability;a platform controller hub (PCH);non-volatile storage; andvolatile storage; anda Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type C connector for coupling the host computing module to an external module, the connector being capable of carrying audio, video, and power, the external module comprising:
a second CPU having a second processing capability;a second PCH;a second non-volatile storage; anda second volatile storage;wherein software on the bridge either:
activates the second CPU and disables the first CPU in response to a condition; or activates the second CPU and leaves the first CPU enabled.