GEN SPQ RN CEM Release Note v003ext

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Option nv, Gaston Geenslaan 14, 3001 Leuven - Belgium - Tel +32 16 317 411 - Fax +32 16 207 164

NXP and NEC based CEMsCEM Release Note


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NXP and NEC based CEMs, CEM Release Note

Author: P. Vandeneede Version: v003extCreation Date: Dec 12, 2007 Page: 1 of 14

OptionConfidential:

This document is Option Confidential - it may not be duplicated, neither distributedexternally without prior and written permission of Option NV.

About this documentConfidentialityAll data and information contained or disclosed by this document is confidential andproprietary of Option NV, and all rights therein are Expressly reserved. By accepting

this document, the recipient agrees that this information is held in confidence and intrust and will not be used, copied, reproduced in whole or in part, nor its contentsrevealed in any manner to others without prior and written permission of Option NV.

Version HistoryDate Version Author Revision RemarksDec 5, 2007 V001draft P. Vandeneede Not reviewed Initial versionDec 7, 2007 V002draft P. Vandeneede J. Schrijvers Ch. 5.2.1 :

limitation addedDec 12, 2007 V003ext P. Vandeneede J. Schrijvers,

P. Hardwick

Revision


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Table of contents

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................3

2 GENERAL CARDBUS TO EXPRESS SLOT CONVERSION INFORMATION....42.1 DATA CONVERSION.....................................................................................................42.2 POWER REQUIREMENTS ..............................................................................................5

3 OPTIONS CEM IMPLEMENTION ..............................................................................5

3.1 CEMS BASED ON THE NXP USB HOST CONTROLLER................................................63.2 CEM BASED ON NEC HOST CONTROLLER.................................................................7

4 COMPATIBILITY...........................................................................................................8

4.1 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXPRESS CARDS ON CEM DETECTION LEVEL .......................84.1.1 Group 1: Fuji-ex 2.0 Etna-ex 1.0.....................................................................84.1.2 Group 2: Fuji-Ex 3.0-3.1 Etna 2.0 4.2 .............................................................84.1.3 Group 3: Fuji-Ex 3.2 Etna-Ex 4.3....................................................................9

4.2 COMPATIBILITY WITH OLD HARDWARE AND FW RELEASES......................................9

5 LIMITATIONS AND KNOWN ISSUES .....................................................................10

5.1 THROUGHPUT LIMITATIONS......................................................................................105.2 KNOWN ISSUES .........................................................................................................11

5.2.1 Common issues.................................................................................................115.2.2 NXP-CEM ........................................................................................................125.2.3 NEC-CEM ........................................................................................................13


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1 INTRODUCTIONCEM is the engineering name of the Option device that converts a 32-bit Cardbusslot of a laptop to an Express Card slot format. This device is made to allow ourcustomers to approve and supply one device that will serve both technologies whilethe market transitions to universal Express Card slot availability.

This document has the intention to explain the working principles of the Option CEM,the different types that exist and the possible limitation which can occur when usingan Express Card together with a CEM.

Figure 1: Picture of an Option CEM.


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2 GENERAL CARDBUS TO EXPRESS SLOT CONVERSIONINFORMATION

A device that converts the Cardbus format to Express slot format can be split up in 2main functional blocks. It has to convert the data of the 32-bit Cardbus to the ExpressCard slot data format and it has to adapt the power requirements from the Cardbus tothe Express Card slot requirements.

Figure 2: CEM Block diagram.

2.1 Data conversion

The data format has to be converted from the 32-bit Cardbus format to the Expressslot format and vice versa. This is done with a USB host controller as the Expressslot uses the USB data format. A number of USB host controllers do exist with alltheir pros and cons. So far Option has used 2 different USB host controllers in theirCEM devices (more on this in chapter 3).The Qualcomm chipset used in the Option Express Cards delivers and receives datain USB 2.0 Full speed format. According to the USB specs this should give amaximum bandwidth of 12 Mbit/s. This USB data is sent directly to the Express slotconnector. In other words, when the Express Card is used with a CEM then the CEMreceives this USB 2.0 data format and converts it to the 32-bit Cardbus format.


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2.2 Power requirements

The Express Card slot contains a 3.3V power rail and a 1.5V power rail. The problemis that the 32-bit Cardbus only has a 3.3V power rail so the CEM has to make a 1.5V

power rail by itself.Current consumption is another power requirement that has to be controlled. TheExpress slot is able to deliver 1.3A on the 3.3V power rail while the 32bit Cardbuscan only deliver 1A on the 3.3V power rail. Therefore a current limiter has to be usedto make sure that no more then 1A is taken from the 32-bit Cardbus.Next is a list of Power requirements of both card slots:

Express Card slot

3.3V power rail availableThis power rail can deliver 1.3A

1.5V power rail available

32-Bit Cardbus

3,3V power rail availableThis power rail can only deliver 1A

No 1.5V power rail

3 OPTIONS CEM IMPLEMENTION

Currently Option has 2 different CEM versions. One version based on the NXP USB

host controller and a second version based on the NEC USB host controller.Differences between the 2 USB host controllers:

NXP USB host controller

Very good throughput Some instability problems with W2000 and Vista.

Instability issues reported on MAC

NEC USB host controller

Throughput is a bit less then with NXP

Good stability on W2000, XP and Vista. Minor problems seen on MAC OS.


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3.1 CEMs based on the NXP USB host controller.

CEMs based on the NXP host controller have the following properties:

Based on NXP USB host controller.

Has a built in 3.3V to 3.6V step-up converter. This is done to increase systemstability.

Has a built in 1A current limiter, which can be controlled from the ExpressCard.

Has large buffer capacitors that can deliver the current to support the ExpressCard while the current limiter is active.

In the device manager of the Windows Operating System the NXP basedCEM will be seen as 2 separate devices, a Standard Enhanced PCI to USBhost controller and a Standard OpenHCD USB host controller. These devices

can be assigned names by the driver. Refer to the driver release note to findout the exact name used in a specific driver version. (In the example belowits renamed to Mobile Bus Converter.)

Figure 3: NXP CEM view in device manager.


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3.2 CEMs based on NEC host controller.

CEMs based on the NEC host controller have the following properties:

Based on NEC USB host controller. Has no build in 3.3V to 3.6V step up converter. This step up conversion is

done on our latest Express Card hardware Has no build in current limiter. Current limiting has to be done on the Express

Card. No buffer capacitors. The current has to be delivered by the capacitors on the

Express Card. In the device manager of the Windows Operating System the NEC based

CEM will be seen as 2 separate devices, a Standard Enhanced PCI to USBhost controller and a NEC PCI to USB host controller. The driver cant changethese names.

Figure 4: NEC CEM view in device manager.


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4 COMPATIBILITY

The firmware on the Express Card has the ability to detect if its used with a CEMand with which type of CEM (NXP based CEM or NEC based CEM). This isimportant, as the Express Card has to know if the card is used with a CEM or not. Ifan NXP based CEM is used the firmware has to enable the 1A current limiter toprotect the 32-bit Cardbus for over current. In case of the NEC based CEM thefirmware knows that this CEM has no current limiter on board and the firmware willdecide to enable the current limiter of the Express Card itself. This current limiter isonly available on the latest hardware.As you can see CEM detection is dependant on the hardware and firmware used.The next chapters give an overview of the hardware and firmware compatibility.

4.1 Difference between Express Cards on CEM detection level

Express Cards have the ability to detect if they are used together with a CEM or not.According to the CEM version the Express Card detects the current limiter will beenabled or not.Different hardware versions have different abilities to detect the CEM version. TheExpress Card hardware versions can be split up in three groups of CEM detectionability.

Fuji-Ex hardware version Etna-Ex hardware versionGroup 1 2.0 1.0Group 2 3.0 3.1 2.0-4.2

Group 3 3.2 and later 4.3 and later

4.1.1 Group 1: Fuji-ex 2.0 Etna-ex 1.0

No CEM detection! These Express Cards cant detect if they are usedtogether with a CEM or not.

By default the current limiter for all CEM versions is bypassed! As these cardscant detect the use of a CEM, the current limiter of the CEM will always bebypassed.

Current limiter on the Express Card is 1.3A

4.1.2 Group 2: Fuji-Ex 3.0-3.1 Etna 2.0 4.2

NXP CEM detection but cant detect NEC CEM When used with a NEC CEM it will assume that its used without a CEM. Current limiter on the Express Card is 1.3A


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4.1.3 Group 3: Fuji-Ex 3.2 Etna-Ex 4.3

CEM detection, can detect the difference between the NXP CEM and theNEC CEM.

Express Card can be set to 1.0A current limiter, 1.3A current limiter or thecurrent limiter can be bypassed.

4.2 Compatibility with old hardware and FW releases

CEM type used Group 1: Fuji-Ex 2.0/Etna-Ex1.0 Remarks

NXP-CEM Cards are not able to detect CEM

CEM current limiter = bypassed

Card current limiter = 1,3A

NEC-CEM

Cards are not able to detect CEM

CEM has no current limiter Card current limiter = 1,3A

No current protection!In some rare conditionsthe card could consume

more power then

allowed.

No CEM Card current limiter = 1,3 A OK

CEM type used? Group 2: Fuji-Ex3.0-3.1/Etna-Ex2.0-4.2 Remarks

NXP-CEM Will detect CEM

CEM current limiter = 1A

Card current limiter = bypassed

OK

NEC-CEM

Does not detect CEM

CEM has no current limiter Card current limiter =1,3A

No current protection!In some rare conditions

the card could consumemore power then

allowed.

No CEM Card current limiter = 1,3 A OK

CEM type used? Group 3: Fuji-Ex3.2/ Etna-ex4.3 Remarks

NXP-CEM Will detect CEM

CEM current limiter = Bypass

Card current limiter = 1A

NEC-CEM

Will detect CEM (*)

CEM has no current limiter Card current limiter = 1A

No CEM Card current limiter = 1,3 A

OK

(*)Only from the next firmware versions onwards the NEC CEM will bedetected

Card type FW versionFuji-Ex 2.4.0Etna-Ex 2.8.0


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5 LIMITATIONS AND KNOWN ISSUES

5.1 Throughput limitations

The different versions of CEM have a different behavior in throughput. The used USBhost controller does slow down the throughput and the NEC USB host controller hasmore impact on the throughput compared to the NXP USB host controller.Below a chart is shown that indicates the maximum throughput figures that can beexpected per USB host controller, per used driver and per connection type.

Express card throughput per CEM type

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

No CEM NXP CEM NEC CEM

Mbit/s

4.0.0.18 Ndis 4.0.0.18 dial up 3.3.1.3 dial up 3.2.1.3 Ndis

Figure 5: CEM throughput figures.


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5.2 Known issues

Each USB host controller his limitations, for that the list of limitations is split up perCEM type.

5.2.1 Common issues

Limitation 1:o Description: An Unsafe Remove of an Express Card product with CEM

is not always allowed by Windows. A user should always request thesystem for a Safe Removal and wait on the system approval beforeremoving the product.Depending on the operating system used, the following problems willbe observed after an Unsafe removal:

Windows 2000: Always, a BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death).

Windows XP (32 and 64 bit): Very rarely, a BSOD. Windows Vista (32 and 64 bit): Sometimes, a BSOD or other

problems.See http://support.microsoft.com/?id=933938.

o Analysis: Windows requires removable devices to be safely removed.A user is simply not allowed to do a surprise removal.A surprise removal of a Cardbus data card (CEM) actually means toWindows that a USB Host Controller got removed from the PCI bus.This can cause BSODs. The frequency of BSODs depends on theWindows version used.

o Workaround: Before removing a product, request a Safe Removal

from the system and wait for its approval before removing.

Limitation 2:o Description: When performing a Safe Remove of an Express Card

product with CEM (both NXP and NEC) in Windows, you must removeboth the CEM and Express Card product together. In case you onlyremove the Express Card product and not the CEM, you are not ableto use the Express Card product after re-inserting it.

o Analysis: When requesting a Safe Remove, it is actually the USB hostcontroller in the CEM that is requested to be removed. The drivers forall devices (including Express Card product devices) are unloaded.When removing and re-inserting the Fuji-Ex/Etna-Ex, their drivers willnot load because the USB host controller in the CEM has still itsdrivers unloaded. Only when re-inserting the CEM, its drivers will beloaded after they were unloaded before through a Safe Remove.

o Workaround: Always remove the Fuji-Ex/Etna-Ex together with theCEM.


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5.2.2 NXP-CEM

Limitation 1:o Description: When inserting an Express Card product together with an

NXP-CEM for the first time on a Windows 2000 system, i.e. before itsdrivers are installed, you must first insert the NXP-CEM withoutExpress Card product. When all devices of the NXP-CEM have theirdrivers installed, the Express Card product can be inserted in theNXP-CEM. If one would insert the NXP-CEM and Express Cardproduct together the first time, the drivers will not be installed properlyand the product will not be usable afterwards.After the drivers are installed, the NXP-CEM can be inserted togetherwith the Express Card product without problems.On Windows XP and Windows Vista systems, the NXP-CEM can be

inserted together with the Express Card product for the first timewithout problems.o Analysis: Windows 2000 has problems during the installation of the

NXP USB Host Controller inside the CEM when a USB device(Express Card product) is connected to one of its USB ports.

o Workaround: Insert the NXP-CEM without Express Card product. Afterthe NXP-CEM drivers are installed, insert the Express Card product.

Limitation 2:o Description: When the drivers for an Express Card together with an

NXP-CEM are loaded (during installation, insertion, Resume) on aWindows system, it can happen that the drivers will not be loaded

properly. The severity of this problem depends on the operatingsystem used:

Windows 2000: the problem occurs regularly Window XP (32 and 64 bit): the problem occurs very rarely Windows Vista (32 and 64 bit): the problem occurs from time to

time.o Analysis: The interaction between W2000 and the NXP USB host

controller is not optimal. Other USB host controllers dont show thisbehavior.

o Workaround: None.

Limitation 3:o Description: On MAC PowerBook systems, an Express Card product

used with an NXP CEM could show some instability problem.o Analysis: The interaction between the NXP USB host controllers and

MAC is not optimal.o Workaround: None


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5.2.3 NEC-CEM

Limitation 1:o Description: On MAC PowerBook systems, an error message may

occur when an Express Card product is used with a NEC-CEM afterthe Powerbook returns from sleep mode.

o Analysis: NEC USB host controllers work as expected on MAC butoccasionally after returning from sleep mode the drivers are notloaded as they should.

o Workaround: Remove and re-insert the NEC-CEM together with theExpress Card product.


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This document is Option Confidential - it may not be duplicated, neither distributedt ll ith t i d itt i i f O ti NV

References

Ref Document1 FUJ-SPQ-UM-Fuji_Quick_Install_Manual-V02-F1.pdf Option

GEN SPQ RN CEM Release Note v003ext

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