Docking Sequence; Docking Interface - Compaq Armada e500 Series Reference Manual

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appendix
D
OCKING
The Compaq Armada E500 computer is compatible with the ArmadaStation EM
docking station, Convenience Base, and Port Replicator. The Armada V300 computer
docks with the Port Replicator only.

Docking Sequence

Docking is first detected when the EBOXL# pins (long pins) make contact with the
docking station. The EBOXL# signal is de-asserted, and an interrupt is generated by the
8051. The 8051 then polls EBOXS# (short pins) to ensure that a complete connection
has been made.
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Next, the I C bus to the docking interface is enabled, and the EEPROM ID in the
docking station is read to determine which type of docking station is connected.
Depending on the type of docking station connected, different control signals will be
enabled to pass the correct set of signals out to the attached docking station. For a
complete description of the docking sequence, please refer to the BIOS specification.

Docking Interface

From a control signal perspective, there are several types of signals that pass through the
176-pin connector. The three main types of signals are:
Direct pass through: power, parallel port, some audio signals, video, most FDD
signals
Switched signals: PCI bus, expansion PCI clock, USB port 0, PS2, I
MUXed signals:
ArmadaStation EM mode: Reset, some FDD signals, serial port, AC link
The quick switches are controlled by the 8051 microcontroller for all docking instances,
except when docked to the ArmadaStation EM, the circuitry within the docking station
controls the PCI bus and expansion PCI clock quick switches.
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Docking A-1