Backward Compatible

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Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) is a computer bus designed for attaching hardware devices within a computer. The PCI interface is common in today's computers, and largely considered to be a ubiquitous internal PC connection. PCI-SIG, the industry organization chartered to develop and manage the PCI standard, released the PCI 1.0 specification in 1992. It was a component-level specification. The next year, the PCI 2.0 specification was released and was the first to establish standards for the connector and motherboard slot. PCI 3.0 is the most recent iteration of the standard; however, it is still under development within the PCI-SIG.

PCI Express

PCI Express (PCIe) is the latest I/O interconnect technology standard for PC expansion cards, and it was designed to ultimately replace conventional PCI standards. PCIe is used in consumer and industrial applications, including linking motherboard-mounted peripherals such as SATA drives, USB ports and sound cards and also as an expansion card for add-in boards.

PCIe uses point-to-point serial links, while earlier versions of the PCI standard use a parallel bus architecture. This makes bidirectional data transfer possible, enhancing performance when several device pairs are communicating simultaneously. PCIe remains compatible with legacy PCI solutions - a PCIe device can be used with older hardware based on earlier PCI specifications.

PCIe 1.0 and 2.0

PCIe technology is continuously developing and improving. In 2004, Intel first introduced the PCIe 1.0 specification. A version 1.1 soon followed, offering minor revisions to the specification.

In 2007, PCI-SIG announced availability of the PCIe 2.0 specification. This doubled the data rate of each lane and remained backward compatible with PCIe 1.1, so that last generation cards would still be able to work in machines with PCIe 2.0 slots.

ExpressCard

ExpressCard technology is a standard introduced in 2003. The ExpressCard standard delivers a thin, fast and light modular expansion to PC users. Consumers can add memory, wired and wireless communications cards and security devices to computers by inserting these cards into their systems. All ExpressCard slots accommodate modules designed to use PCIe or Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0).

The ExpressCard slot has been included on mid- to high-range laptops including Apple's MacBook Pro line. Because laptops often only have one expansion slot, replacing the PC card slot with an ExpressCard slot results in a loss of compatibility with PC-card peripherals.

A PCIe card can fit into a slot of its size or larger. The number of lanes connected to a slot may be fewer than the number supported by the slot size. This allows for PCIe cards to be used without requiring the motherboard hardware to support the full transfer rate, which keeps down design and implementation costs.

PCI Express Benefits

Nearly all graphics cards released by ATI and NVIDIA use PCIe for connectivity to the PC's motherboard. NVIDIA leverages the high bandwidth data transfer capabilities of PCIe for its multi-GPU technology, which allows several graphics cards of the same chipset and model to run simultaneously, improving performance. ATI has also developed a multi-GPU system based on PCIe.

One theoretical application for External PCIe is giving a laptop computer the graphics capabilities of a desktop computer, by connecting the laptop to an External PCIe desktop video card. However, market development of external graphics solutions has been slow, and the use-case remains largely theoretical.

PCIe is often used for disk array controllers, onboard Ethernet and Wi-Fi, though add-in cards are typically conventional PCI. Because sound cards, modems, serial port cards and other cards with low-speed interfaces still use PCI, most motherboards supporting PCIe also offer conventional PCI slots.

PCIe 3.0

The next advancement in the widespread PCIe standard is PCIe 3.0. The future standard will offer double the bandwidth of PCIe 2.0, enabling higher data transfer speeds between the motherboard and devices. PCIe 3.0 is currently in development by the PCI-SIG and is anticipated to be released in Q2 2010. The PCI 3.0 specification will go through rigorous technical examination and evaluation before it is released to the industry. PCIe 3.0 offers backward compatibility with previous generations of PCI technology.

PCI Express Standards Testing

PCIe standards testing is used to test PCIe systems and add-in cards. Five PCIe compliance testing areas include:

• Electrical testing: examines platform and add-in card signal quality
• Configuration testing: examines configuration space of devices on add-in cards and checks for specification compliance
• Link protocol testing: tests add-in Card compliance for Link protocol spec requirements
• Transaction protocol testing: tests add-in Card compliance for Link Transaction protocol spec requirements
• Platform BIOS testing: tests platform BIOS ability to recognize and configure devices

Another related test is PCIe compatibility testing, where several PCIe cards and systems are prepared to test whether PCIe devices are compatible with other products.

For PCIe 3.0 systems, add-in cards or devices to be placed on the Integrators List, the system or product must pass interoperability and compliance testing, and the vendor must submit a Product Listing Request Form for the tested device or system. The PCI-SIG Compliance Program is consistently rated the most significant benefit of PCI-SIG membership.

Working with a third-party testing facility will ensure that the product or system can comply with PCI compliance testing. For more information about PCIe standards testing, visit the PCI-SIG web site.

~Ben Anton, 2009

Ben Anton is a frequent writer for Allion Test Labs.

PCI Express standards testing is available for PCIe 1.0a, 1.1, 2.0 products at Allion Test Labs, a leading facility for PCI device testing.

Iphone compatible CCTV DVR

Hi, I just purchased a Digimerge DH200 4ch DVR with a 320GB hard drive. SDI is running a promotion on this unit for September and October. It is has H.264 compression with a 704 x 480 display resolution and is able to record at CIF, 2CIF, D1 qualities.

• Four BNC inputs but no loop through
• One composite output
• One programmable spot output
• One channel audio in/out
• Four programmable alarm inputs and one out
• RS485/RS232 for PTZ

But, that is enough about the specs the reason why I'm testing the unit is because it is suppose to be compatible with an Iphone. I called and talked with Digimerge tech support and talked with them about Iphone compatibility. Turns out that it is not quite compatible as of 9-4-09 but I bought it anyways. I asked the tech how it was able to work an Iphone because I only know of one other manufacturer with this ability. Basically the way that Digimerge is going to make it work is by building a site that will connect with they're DDNS server with a special software that allows the DVR to be viewed by an Iphone. I done a little research and believe that they are going to use YOICS software. I don't know but I assume it is going to be server based as the tech said that no apps needed to be loaded to any cell phone for remote video streaming. Supposedly it is simple as logging in to DVR with user name and password then just view your security cameras.

.The DVR has user friendly GUI interface that makes programming and searching easy. Recorded security camera images are recorded in thirty minute blocks which is not bad for searching with use FF play forward and backwards feature. Continuous and event recordings are color coded so that they are easy to distinguish from each other. The one drawback I see so far is that it can’t record a motion event while in the continuous record mode. So, that means that you can’t program a low fps (frames per second) for continuous and a high fps for motion. Also because of this you can’t receive email notices of a motion event while in the continuous mode. But, switching to scheduled recording is simple with just push of a button on the DVR or a click of the mouse on the viewing software. The reason for my adding this characteristic to this article is my own personal preference for recording both continuous and motion at the same time is to be assured that there is always some recorded images at all times.

The viewing software is easy to load and use either on your home network or over the internet. Any feature on the DVR can be accessed from the viewer this includes setup and search. The software allows you to view multiple DVR’s that might be needed with a chain of convenience stores. You can create a virtual DVR that shows one channel from each DVR so it can be used to live view multiple sites at once. This would come in handy for someone that owns several stores that wanted to keep an eye on every cash register all the same time. It allows you to view up to 64 security cameras on one screen but be aware it is for only one camera from each DVR. You can always view a single DVR and all of its security cameras with a simple click if you needed view all cameras at one site in case of robbery or the like.

Overall I like the unit as it is easy to use, economical, comes with one year replacement, three year repair, and five year hard drive warranty

P.S: It supports up to a 2TB.hard drive. After programming the one I bought for its maximum record quality (704x480) and maximum 30 fps a 320GB will last two weeks recording 24/7.

Alert Networks, Inc

Serving Metro Atlanta

About the Author

Is the PC memory PC5300-667MHz backward compatible for my laptops PC4200 -533MHz?

I want to upgrade my Fujitsu N6210 Notebook that has 512MB PC4200 memory with 2GB of PC5300 memory. Is it safe to use this memory? Will it damage my notebook because of the different speed and power?

If your N6210 notebook only supports PC2-4200 then it will run a PC2-5300 or even a PC2-6400 at 533mHz. BIOS will just read the SPD table of the higher clocked module then set the timings for 533mHz operation. Your notebook will not be damaged.

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