Flexible x1 PCI Express 3-Way Splitter

The Flexible x1 PCI Express 3-Way Splitter (Splitter) was designed to expand the modern motherboard (ATX, mini ATX, etc.) with a limited number of PCI Express connectors. It allows you to connect up to three x1 PCI Express add-in boards to your motherboard’s x1/x4/x8/x16 PCI Express connector.

The Splitter includes an x1 PCI Express adapter board (optional – x4 PCIe) with a PCI Express flat cable (up to 3 boards) and a x1 PCI Express host board.

Each x1 PCI Express adapter board has a standard PCI Express x1 connector for plugging in the x1 PCI Express expansion add-in board (downstream). The x1 PCI Express host board connects to the x1/x4/x8/x16 motherboard PCI Express connector (upstream). The PCI Express flat cable (12 inches) is used for connecting the host board and adapter board, and it provides a flexible connection between the x1 PCI Express add-in boards and the motherboard.

The power (12V and 3.3V) for each x1 downstream board is supplied via a female PCI Express connector placed on the PCI Express adapter board. The power source for each expansion board can be an x1 PCI Express host board via power cable, standard ATX power supply or an external 12 volt power supply.

The x1 PCI Express adapter board has mounting holes for its mechanical fixation inside the computer chassis (embedded computer), and support tabs for mechanical stabilization of the add-in PCI Express expansion board (US Patent 7,255,570).

The x1 PCI Express host board can be retained inside the chassis by using a full-size bracket or a unique PCI Express add-in board retainer (US Patent 7,850,475). This PCI Express board retainer prevents the host board from wiggling and can hold the PCI Express board without bracket.