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`Business Insights: Essentials
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`Local-bus battle begins in earnest
`
`Electronic Business Buyer
`
`New 32- and 64-bit buses will speed up PCs. VL-Bus has the early lead, but Intel's PCI bus is coming on
`strong
`
`If you've ever been in a hurry while waiting for a bus, you know what your PC's microprocessor (MPU) has
`to endure. As MPUs continue to increase speed and processing power, computer manufacturers struggle to
`develop efficient ways to transfer the escalating flow of data between the processor and peripherals without
`compromising software and hardware compatibility. The industry-standard bus, developed a decade ago for
`IBM's PC/AT computers, is no longer sufficient: The 16-bit-wide, 8-megahertz expansion AT bus found in
`most PCs doesn't provide an adequate data path between the new 50-MHz MPUs and peripherals that have
`32-bit-wide data paths.
`
`Also, the wide-spread popularity of window-based graphical user interfaces (GU ls) and the megapixel
`applications they encompass have worsened the bandwidth bottleneck. The most critical data path lies
`between the MPU and video contr-ller. Trying to run GUI applications that crank out as many as 72 screens
`of multicolored data bytes every second, for example, translates into excruciatingly slow program execution
`when using the AT bus.
`
`Two high-speed local buses--the VL-Bus and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus--are battling to
`fill the demand for these high-performance Pc applications. These local buses connect the MPU directly to
`high-bandwidth peripherals and bypass the traditional system bus (see the box, "What is a local PC bus?").
`So far, VL-Bus is the early leader simply because it reached the market first. Created by the Video
`Electronics Standards Association (VESA), VL-Bus is a 32-bit data path bus designed primarily to accelerate
`graphics. Most major PC makers have introduced PCs with the VL-Bus during the past year.
`
`However, momentum is also building for PCI bus from Intel Corp., Santa Clara, CA. More than 200
`companies have indicated they will support it. PCI has 64- and 32-bit data path capability. Although the first
`round of PCl-bus computers was expected in October, problems with the supporting chip set from Intel
`prompted many PC-makers to delay introducing PCl-bus computers. Among them are NECX IBM, and
`Gateway 2000.
`
`High stakes
`
`The stakes in this bus battle are high. Until a dominant local bus emerges, PC and add-in card
`manufacturers must decide whether to support one or both of the buses. Choosing the right one will pay off
`big. Trying to support both buses is costly and will slow down in introduction of new products. So far, most of
`the warring between the VL-Bus and PCI bus has been with words and not products. The marketplace battle
`will start in earnest in the first half of 1994 as PCl-based PCs hit store shelves.
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`EXHIBIT
`2063
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`PATENT OWNER DIRECTSTREAM, LLC
`EX. 2095, p. 1
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`

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`6/24/2019
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`VL-Bus gets a head start
`
`Business Insights: Essentials
`
`VL-Bus efforts started first. VESA held a general meeting at Comdex/Fall in 1991 specifically to create a bus
`that would accelerate graphics. By the end of the year, VESA had formed a committee to propose a
`specification for a bus that would provide direct data communication between the MPU and critical
`peripherals while maintaining PC compatibility. The original charter described an inexpensive, modular local
`bus that would be scalable and extensible, yet compatible with existing architectures. The specification
`would be available to all companies, with no exclusions due to patent protection. And, the bus would offer
`sufficient bandwidth to accommodate video, multimedia, and server applications.
`
`On August 28, 1992, the general membership vote} to approve VESA Local-Bus (VL-Bus) 1.0 as a formal
`standard. That specification described a bus structure centered around a 32-bit 80486-class MPU, and
`outlined adaptability to other types of MPUs. The maximum interface speed across the VL-Bus connector
`was 40 MHz, or 66 MHz on the motherboard. A VL-Bus-based motherboard could provide as many as three
`connector slots, each able to control three devices.
`
`However, the VESA committee's intention to unify the computer industry's local-bus efforts want awry when
`Intel announced a competing local-bus standard, PCI.
`
`Originally developed as a silicon-based bus structure, PCI offered no expansion slots. The June 22, 1992
`PCI specification actually stated that PCI was "not intended to become a general-purpose expansion bus,
`since the bus's electrical environment must remain tightly controlled." That specification placed all graphics
`and disk control directly on the motherboard to circumvent any discussion regarding expansion connectors.
`
`Regardless, at Comdex/Fall 1992 the PCI special Interest Group (PCI SIG) of manufacturers, vendors, and
`developers supporting the PCI standard publicly announced their plans to standardize on a slot connector.
`
`Michael Bailey, who heads Intel's PCI SIG, asserts that Intel's sole purpose in developing a local-bus
`specification independent from the VESA consortium was "to provide MPU independence, establishe an
`optimum environment for realtime devices, and protect against processor overloading due to inadequate
`electrical design."
`
`Whereas the VESA specification offered general recommendations to encourage industry-wide acceptance
`and development, PCl's documentation exercised tighter control of electrical characteristics by specifying
`waveform results for loading devices. In addition, PCI also insulates the MPU from direct access by
`peripherals via a communications bridge.
`
`PCI also features a central bus-arbitration scheme in which each device accessing the bus is assigned a
`unique 256-byte configuration description. This description grants bus-master devices direct access to any
`other PCI device. The result is automatic system configuration when end-users insert and remove devices
`that access the PCI bus. Furthermore, the PCI spec addresses the concerns of the laptop market and the
`environmentally conscious green-PC movement by providing for low-energy 3.3-volt operation.
`
`PCl's buggy chip set
`
`Unfortunately, the PCl's impressive features and attention to detail have stalled development efforts. As
`Larry Vandendriessche, director of graphics products at NCR in Colorado Springs, CO, observes, "The Intel
`chip set still has problems. A couple of guys [in Taiwan] have worked around the problem by using a lot of
`[transistor-transistor logic], but nobody sees it being a low-cost system until next year." Only a few graphics(cid:173)
`board manufacturers have announced fourth-quarter 1993 product introductions. As a result, the VL-Bus
`enjoys almost a year's head start in market penetration with real products that can solve immediate needs
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`PATENT OWNER DIRECTSTREAM, LLC
`EX. 2095, p. 2
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`6/24/2019
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`Business Insights: Essentials
`
`for ready buyers. Despite this fact PCI has attracted considerable support from such industry giants as IBM,
`Digital Equipment Corp., Apple Computer, and Compaq Computer.
`
`This widespread support is based largely on the technical thoroughness@of the specification and Intel's
`endorsement as the world's leading MPU manufacturer for PC-compatible computers. Vandendriessche
`voices the thoughts of many PCI proponents when he notes that Intel's knowledge of future-generation
`MPUs may help the PCI bus maintain its technical superiority.
`
`The battle between proponents of the VESA and the PCI local-bus standards has become one of the most
`earnestly debated vaporware controversies in the history of the technical press. To counter the PCI
`proponents' claims of technical superiority, the VL-Bus committee promulgated Version 2.0 of tis
`specification and distributed it for approval on September 15, 1993. VL-Bus 2.0 includes support for 64-bit
`data paths, 50-MHz MPUs, and 3.3-volt operation. The new version also allows for a data-communications
`bridge to insulate the MPU from direct access by peripherals.
`
`Furthermore, the new specification no longer limits motherboard designers to three expansion slots. Instead,
`the specification now defines only the electrical loading requirements.
`
`Ron McCabe, chairman of the VESa local-bus committee, is quick to point out that each of the three VL-Bus
`slots has always been able to support three devices, and one committee member had successfully
`implemented four slots on a motherboard So the PCI boast of supporting 10 devices was never really a
`superior claim.
`
`Tech debate overrated?
`
`McCabe similarly dismisses PCl's processor-independence claims. "After all the hype blew over, it seems
`that the VL-Bus has done quite well as a practical solution for the R4000 and other formats. There really is
`no compelling reason for developers to convert to the PCI bus."
`
`NCR's Vandendriessche disagrees. "I think there are reasons to go to the PCI bus in a higher end system,
`but right now [NCR] is strongly in the VL camp. [We will] move to PCI some time next year; we're just not
`sure when.
`
`"The SCSI guys will tell you that PCI is clearly the way to go," he continues. "For SCSI it makes a lot of
`sense--[PCI] has more capabilities so you can do multithreaded 1/0 and true multitasking. If you're just doing
`graphics on the local bus and that's the only thing you're going to put on the local bus, then VL is the way to
`go. But if you're going to put your disk drive and other [devices] on the local bus, then PCI may be the best
`alternative."
`
`For add-in card manufacturers, the choice isn't necessarily either or. The pressure is greater on them to
`support both camps of PCs. Len Muzutowicz, product marketing manager of graphics board maker, Cardinal
`Technologies in Lancaster, PA, says the company will build boards that are compatible with both standards.
`
`Robert Brimmer, product marketing manager for desktop products at chip supplier Cirus Logic Inc., Fremont,
`CA, agrees that the two specs are similar, with both offering a distinct advantage over the performance of
`standard PC-bus architectures. Yet he warns that board manufacturers still need to develop ways to offload
`tasks from the CPU, which is working harder than ever to accommodate increasingly complex software
`demands.
`
`Despite the debates and posturing, graphics performance clearly reigns as the driving market factor in the
`current local-bus arena. So until PCl-bus products actually hit the market, VESA's original VL-Bus remains
`the indisputable choice. Eventually, the PCI coalition may gain the upper hand in the market by leveraging
`Intel's insider knowledge about next-generation MPU architectures.
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`PATENT OWNER DIRECTSTREAM, LLC
`EX. 2095, p. 3
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`6/24/2019
`Abstract
`
`Business Insights: Essentials
`
`The VL-Bus and the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus are competing to become the
`microcomputer local bus standard. New technology, such as graphical user interfaces and megapixel
`applications, are increasing the need for 50MHz multiprocessing speed and 32-bit bandwidth, as opposed to
`8- and 16-bit bandwidth of previous bus technology. The 32-bit VL-Bus was created by the Video Electronics
`Standards Associations (VESA) and is primarily a means of improving graphics speed. VL-Bus has already
`been introduced on a majority of microcomputers. The PCI bus is still being developed by Intel Corp and will
`be able to handle 64- and 32-bit data paths. It is considered a better option for true multitasking and multi(cid:173)
`threaded 1/0. IBM, Compaq and DEC have announced plans to develop systems with the PCI bus. The first
`systems with the PCI bus are expected in 1994.
`
`Full Text: COPYRIGHT 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. (US).
`http://www.cahners.com/
`
`Source Citation:
`
`Mosley, J.D. "Local-bus battle begins in earnest." Electronic Business Buyer Nov. 1993: 47+. Business
`Insights: Essentials. Web. 24 June 2019.
`
`URL
`http://bi.galegroup.com/essentials/article/GALE% ?CA 14 752017 /63d166e2e3b85800e5a613e501790e4f?
`u=txshracd2602
`
`Document Number:
`
`GALEIA14752017
`
`CENGAGE
`;
`• - Lea rn ing·
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`PATENT OWNER DIRECTSTREAM, LLC
`EX. 2095, p. 4
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