Specifications

CompuLab Ltd. IPC2 Hardware Specification Page 63 of 83
6 Miscellaneous Features
6.1 Mini PCI Express/mSATA sharing
IPC2 advanced platform components and Compulab’s flexible system design offers extremely high
utilization of different functionalities and mechanical Form Factors to be implemented on the
same HW.
Mini PCIe and mSATA share the same slot, and allow the flexibility to install both storage and PCI
express devices. PCI Express/SATA interface switching implemented with 4-channel differential
bi-directional multiplexer/de-multiplexer as shown in Figure 17.
Note: Proper functionality requires BIOS configuration to set the MUX to desired connectivity
option (in default mSATA).
Figure 17 IPC2 Mini PCIe/mSATA scheme
Intel 8 Series
PCH chipset
(Lynx Point)
Pericom PI2PCIE412-D
4-diff CH 2:1 Mux/Demux
HOST
/ FACE Module interface
IPC2 Mini PCIe/mSATA scheme
Shared
Mini PCIe / mSATA
Full Size slot
SATA Host
Controller
SATA0_PCH
PCI Express
Root Port
SATA0
INT_SATA
SLOT_SATA
SATA
PCIE3_PCH
PCIE3/SATA0
USB EHCI
Host Controller
USB6
SMBus
controller
SMBus
SATA_PCIE_MUX_SEL
GPIO8
43
BIOS Settings
Advanced South Bridge Configuration mSATA-PCIE
A - B
A - C
A - B
A - C
SEL
Mux Switching Logic
MUX SEL HIGH (A-C): mSATA (default)
MUX SEL LOW (A-B): Mini PCIe
mSATA card: NC
Mini PCIe card: GND
PCIE
Switch
PEX8603
PCIE
PCIE_5-L0_PCH
PCIE_5-L0