Primary bus processing element with multifunction interconnection to secondary bus

摘要

An apparatus to process signals within a computer that has a primary bus including a primary bus interconnection slot and a secondary bus including a secondary bus interconnection slot is described. The apparatus includes a primary bus card with a primary bus connector region for connection with the primary bus interconnection slot. The primary bus card includes a processing circuit electrically connected to the primary bus connector region to process primary bus signals from the primary bus. In addition, the primary bus card has a bridge cable connector electrically connected to the processing circuit. The invention also uses a secondary bus connector that is positionable within the secondary bus interconnection slot. The secondary bus connector has a vertical height substantially equivalent to the vertical height of the secondary bus interconnection slot. A bridge cable is connected between the bridge cable connector and the secondary bus connector to convey secondary bus signals from the secondary bus connector to the processing circuit.