Control system, docking station and power management method thereof

Abstract

The application describes a control system, a docking station and a power management method thereof. The method comprises: when the MCU detects that the voltage of the first signal line or the second signal line in the first end of the power adapter changes from high to low, which meets the disconnect feature, determining it as a pull-out event; the MCU sends a low-level pulse to the fourth signal line in the second end of the docking station; the MCU closes the second switch and starts the discharging circuit; the terminal device starts to output a voltage higher than the first preset value to the third signal line when it monitors that the voltage on the third signal line drops to the first preset value; the voltage on the first signal line starts to drop; when the MCU monitors that the voltage on the first signal line drops to be equal to or close to the voltage on the third signal line, the first switch is closed and the second switch is turned on. According to the application, the docking station can realize fast switching of the power supply without increasing the cost of additional hardware, thereby saving the backup power supply circuit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of docking station, in particular to a control system, docking station and power management method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the popularity of notebook computers, Type-C interface is widely used due to its multifunctionality and high transmission speed. However, the existing Type-C docking station often needs additional backup power supply circuit in design to ensure stability and reliability during power switching. This not only increases the cost, but also limits the miniaturization of the device. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application aims to provide a control system, docking station and power management method thereof, so that the docking station can realize fast switching of power without increasing additional hardware cost, thereby saving the backup power supply circuit.

[0004] To this end, the first aspect of the present application provides a power management method of a docking station, the first end of the docking station is connected to the first end of a power adapter, the second end of the power adapter is connected to a power supply, the second end of the docking station is connected to a terminal device, the third end of the docking station is connected to an external device, the docking station comprises an MCU, a first switch, a second switch, a discharge circuit, the first signal line in the first end of the docking station is connected to the first switch and the MCU respectively, the second signal line in the first end of the docking station is connected to the MCU, the third signal line in the second end of the docking station is connected to the second switch, the MCU and the discharge circuit respectively, the fourth signal line in the second end of the docking station is connected to the MCU, the MCU is connected to the discharge circuit, the first switch and the second switch are connected, the method comprises the following steps: the MCU monitors the voltage change of the first signal line or the second signal line in the first end of the power adapter; when the MCU detects that the voltage of the first end of the power adapter changes from high to low, which meets the disconnection characteristics, it is determined as a pull-out event; the MCU sends a low-level pulse to the fourth signal line in the second end of the docking station to initiate an FRS request to the terminal device; the MCU closes the second switch and starts the discharge circuit, which is used to make the voltage on the third signal line drop; the terminal device starts to output a voltage higher than the first preset value on the third signal line when it monitors that the voltage on the third signal line drops to the first preset value; when the first end of the docking station is disconnected from the first end of the power adapter, or the second end of the power adapter is disconnected from the power supply, the voltage on the first signal line starts to drop; when the MCU monitors that the voltage on the first signal line drops to the voltage on the third signal line or is close to the voltage on the third signal line, the first switch is closed and the second switch is turned on, so that the terminal device supplies power to the docking station.

[0005] In the power management method of the docking station of the first aspect of the present application, optionally, the first preset value is 4.75V.

[0006] In the power management method of the docking station of the first aspect of the present application, optionally, the terminal device starts to output a voltage of 5V on the third signal line when it monitors that the voltage on the third signal line drops to 4.75V.

[0007] In the power management method of the docking station, optionally, the first signal line is a VBUS_PD signal line (i.e., a power line VBUS of the first end of the docking station), the second signal line is a CC_PD signal line (i.e., a CC signal line of the first end of the docking station), the third signal line is a VBUS_UFP signal line (i.e., a power line VBUS of the second end of the docking station), and the fourth signal line is a CC_UFP signal line (i.e., a CC signal line of the second end of the docking station).

[0008] In the power management method of the docking station, optionally, the power adapter inputs a voltage of 5V or 20V to the docking station through the first end of the docking station.

[0009] In the power management method of the docking station, optionally, the voltage on the third signal line decreases to 4.75V within 1000 microseconds and increases from 4.75V to 5V within 200 microseconds.

[0010] In the power management method of the docking station, optionally, the method further comprises: after the terminal device starts to output a voltage higher than the first preset value to the third signal line when monitoring the voltage on the third signal line to decrease to the first preset value, the MCU closes the discharging circuit.

[0011] In the power management method of the docking station, optionally, the docking station is a docking station with a Type-C interface, the first end of the docking station is a first Type-C interface, and the second end of the docking station is a second Type-C interface.

[0012] The second aspect of the present application provides a docking station, a first end of the docking station is connected to a first end of a power adapter, a second end of the power adapter is connected to a power supply, a second end of the docking station is connected to a terminal device, and a third end of the docking station is connected to an external device. The docking station comprises an MCU, a first switch, a second switch, and a discharging circuit. A first signal line in the first end of the docking station is connected to the first switch and the MCU respectively, a second signal line in the first end of the docking station is connected to the MCU, a third signal line in the second end of the docking station is connected to the second switch, the MCU, and the discharging circuit respectively, and a fourth signal line in the second end of the docking station is connected to the MCU. The MCU is connected to the discharging circuit, the first switch is connected to the second switch, and the docking station is used to execute the method of the first aspect.

[0013] The third aspect of the present application provides a control system, which comprises a power supply, a power adapter, a terminal device, an external device, and the docking station of the second aspect.

[0014] In the control system, docking station and power management method thereof according to the present application, power management is realized by software control, compared with the prior art, backup power supply circuit can be omitted in the docking station, cost is reduced, and reliability and miniaturization of the device are improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The present application will now be further explained in detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the control system according to an example of the present application.

[0017] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the docking station according to the prior art.

[0018] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing the docking station according to an example of the present application.

[0019] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the power management method of the docking station according to an example of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted. In addition, the drawings are schematic diagrams, and the proportions of the sizes of the parts with respect to each other or the shapes of the parts, etc. can be different from actual ones.

[0021] It should be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof, such as a process, method, system, product or apparatus including or having a series of steps or units, are not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but can include or have other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to the process, method, product or apparatus.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1 The present application provides a control system, the control system comprising a power supply 5, a power adapter 2, a terminal device 3, a peripheral device 4, and a docking station 1.

[0023] In some embodiments, the terminal device 3 can be a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.

[0024] In some embodiments, the peripheral device 4 can be a display, a U disk, a USB mobile hard disk, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

[0025] Referring to Figure 2In the existing docking station, there is usually a backup power supply circuit 70, wherein the first end of the docking station 1 is connected to the first end of the power adapter 2, the second end of the power adapter 2 is connected to the power supply 5, the second end of the docking station 1 is connected to the terminal device 3, the third end of the docking station 1 is connected to the peripheral device 4, and the docking station 1 comprises an MCU 10, a first switch 30, a second switch 40 and a discharge circuit 20. The first signal line in the first end of the docking station 1 is connected to the first switch 30 and the MCU 10 respectively, and the second signal line in the first end of the docking station 1 is connected to the MCU 10. The third signal line in the second end of the docking station 1 is connected to the second switch 30, the MCU 10 and the discharge circuit 20 respectively, and the fourth signal line in the second end of the docking station 1 is connected to the MCU 10. The MCU 10 is connected to the discharge circuit 20. The first switch 30 and the second switch 40 are connected. Moreover, the first switch 30 and the second switch 40 are interconnected with the system power management module 60. The system power management module 60 is connected to the backup power supply circuit 70. The interconnection end 50 of the first switch 30 and the second switch 40 with the system power management module 60 is VBUS_M.

[0026] The first switch is SW_PD (Switch for Power Delivery). The second switch is SW_UFP (Switch for USB Type-C Upstream Facing Port).

[0027] Specifically, at the first end of the docking station 1 and the first end of the power adapter 2, the docking station 1 and the power adapter 2 communicate through the signal lines VBUS_PD and CC_PD.

[0028] At the second end of the docking station 1, the docking station 1 and the terminal device 3 communicate through the signal lines VBUS_UFP and CC_UFP.

[0029] The inventor finds that, based on the transition time tSrcFRSwap of 150uS for the FRS function in RoleSwap (power role switching) in the PD3.0 (Power DeliveryR 3.0) specification, if the docking station wants to well support the FRS (Fast Role Swap) function, then a backup power supply circuit 70 (Backup Power) is needed on the docking station to play the role of backup power supply.

[0030] The backup power supply circuit 70 charges slowly in normal times, and discharges quickly to supply power to the following devices during the time period of tSrcFRSwap in FRS, the circuit of the docking station body, and other devices (such as U disk, USB mobile hard disk, keyboard, mouse, etc.) connected to the docking station.

[0031] At present, the docking station supporting FRS function on the market, no matter which type of MCU (for example, Realtek, Cypress, TI, Synaptics, ITE, Analogloigic, CapStone, Fresco…) is used, when the power adapter 2 charges the terminal device 3 through the docking station 1, and the first end of the power adapter 2 (the end connected with the docking station 1) is disconnected, the following processing mode is adopted without exception: the first end of the power adapter is disconnected; the MCU 10 sends an FRS request to the terminal device; the second switch 40 remains closed, and the first switch 30 changes from closed to open; the first switch 30 and the second switch 40 and the system power management module 60 interconnection end 50 voltage continue to drop, and the backup power supply circuit 70 automatically discharges when the power is insufficient; the terminal device 3 outputs 5V voltage when detecting that the voltage at the interface is less than 4.75V, and the RoleSwap is completed.

[0032] However, the backup power supply circuit 70 is generally composed of an electrolytic capacitor and a peripheral circuit that can control the charging speed, and the docking station with the backup power supply circuit 70 has the following disadvantages: 1. The volume of the electrolytic capacitor is not small, and it occupies a lot of space, and even because the diameter is greater than or equal to 6.3mm, it needs to be dug on the PCB to be placed down, and the digging is easy to cause the wiring difficulty when the PCB is wired; 2. The service life of the electrolytic capacitor is about 2000-10000 hours at high temperature, and it belongs to the shortest service life in the whole docking station product, so its existence will seriously affect the service life of the product; 3. The cost of the backup power supply circuit 70 is between 0.2-0.5 yuan, which depends on the soft start time of the front-end power chip, Buck or BuckBoost supplement, although the cost proportion is not large, but when the yield is large, it is also a considerable expenditure.

[0033] Therefore, the application provides a docking station and a power management method thereof.

[0034] Therefore, the application provides a docking station and a power management method thereof.

[0035] The first end of the docking station 1 is connected with the first end of the power adapter 2, the second end of the power adapter 2 is connected with the power supply 5, the second end of the docking station 1 is connected with the terminal device 3, and the third end of the docking station 1 is connected with the external device 4.

[0036] The docking station 1 can include an MCU 10, a first switch 30, a second switch 40, and a discharge circuit 20. The first signal line in the first end of the docking station 1 is connected to the first switch 30 and the MCU 10 respectively, and the second signal line in the first end of the docking station 1 is connected to the MCU 10. The third signal line in the second end of the docking station 1 is connected to the second switch 30, the MCU 10, and the discharge circuit 20 respectively, and the fourth signal line in the second end of the docking station 1 is connected to the MCU 10. The MCU 10 is connected to the discharge circuit 20. The first switch 30 and the second switch 40 are connected.

[0037] In some embodiments, the docking station 1 is a docking station with a Type-C interface, the first end of the docking station 1 can be a first Type-C interface, and the second end of the docking station 1 can be a second Type-C interface.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first signal line can be a VBUS_PD signal line (i.e., the power line VBUS of the first end of the docking station 1), the second signal line can be a CC_PD signal line (i.e., the CC signal line of the first end of the docking station 1), the third signal line can be a VBUS_UFP signal line (i.e., the power line VBUS of the second end of the docking station 1), and the fourth signal line can be a CC_UFP signal line (i.e., the CC signal line of the second end of the docking station 1).

[0039] When the first end or the second end of the power adapter 2 is unplugged, the docking station 1 can monitor the voltage change of the first signal line or the second signal line in the first end of the power adapter 2 in real time through the MCU 10, and the MCU 10 can perform the following operations.

[0040] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a power management method of a docking station according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0041] Referring to Figure 4 , the present disclosure provides a power management method of a docking station 1.

[0042] In some embodiments, the docking station 1, the power adapter 2, the terminal device 3, the peripheral device 4, and the power supply 5 can be first connected.

[0043] In some embodiments, the power management method of the docking station 1 can include that the MCU 10 monitors the voltage change of the first signal line or the second signal line in the first end of the power adapter 2.

[0044] In some embodiments, the power management method of the docking station 1 can comprise: when the MCU 10 detects that the voltage of the first signal line or the second signal line in the first end of the power adapter 2 changes from high to low, meeting the disconnect feature, it is determined as a pull-out event. The pull-out event can be that the first end of the power adapter 2 is being pulled out of the first end of the docking station but has not been completely disconnected from the first end of the docking station. The pull-out event can also be that the second end of the power adapter 2 is being pulled out of the power supply 5 but has not been completely disconnected from the power supply.

[0045] In some embodiments, when the first end of the docking station 1 is disconnected from the first end of the power adapter 2, a signal line named CC (i.e. the second signal line) inside the power adapter 2 cable will be the first to disconnect because its pin length is 0.5mm shorter than GND and VBUS. Thus, the MCU 10 can monitor that the voltage of the first signal line in the first end of the power adapter 2 changes from high to low.

[0046] In some embodiments, the power management method of the docking station 1 can comprise: sending a low-level pulse to the fourth signal line in the second end of the docking station 1 by the MCU 10 to initiate a Fast Role Swap (FRS) request to the terminal device 3.

[0047] In some embodiments, the power management method of the docking station 1 can comprise: the MCU 10 turns off the second switch 40 and starts the discharging circuit 20. The discharging circuit 20 is used to make the voltage on the third signal line drop or quickly pull down the voltage on the third signal line.

[0048] In some embodiments, the power management method of the docking station 1 can comprise: the terminal device 3 starts to output a voltage higher than the first preset value to the third signal line when it monitors that the voltage on the third signal line drops to the first preset value.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first preset value can be 4.75V.

[0050] In some embodiments, the terminal device 3 starts to output a voltage of 5V to the third signal line when it monitors that the voltage on the third signal line drops to 4.75V.

[0051] In some embodiments, the terminal device 3 considers that the time to supply power to the docking station has come when it detects that the voltage on the third signal line has dropped to 4.75V because it has previously received an FRS request initiated by the docking station 1, and thus sends 5V to the third signal line of the docking station.

[0052] In some embodiments, the voltage on the third signal line drops to 4.75V within 1000 microseconds and rises from 4.75V to 5V within 200 microseconds. Thus, the docking station 1 can be completely disconnected from the power adapter 2 within 1000 microseconds without being completely disconnected from the power supply 5.

[0053] It can be understood that in the above steps, the first end or the second end of the docking station 1 is not completely pulled out, at this time, the docking station 1 is still normally powered by the power supply 5 and the power adapter 2.

[0054] In some embodiments, after a number of ms, the first end of the docking station 1 is completely disconnected from the first end of the power adapter 2, or the second end of the power adapter 2 is completely disconnected from the power supply 5, at this time, the voltage on the first signal line on the docking station enters a falling stage from a stable voltage.

[0055] In some embodiments, the power management method of the docking station 1 can include: when the MCU 10 monitors that the voltage on the first signal line drops to be equal to or close to the voltage on the three signal lines, the first switch 30 (SW_PD) in the docking station 1 is turned off, and the second switch 40 is turned on, so that the terminal device 3 supplies power to the docking station 1.

[0056] In some embodiments, the power adapter 2 can input a voltage of 5V or 20V to the docking station 1 through the first end of the docking station 1.

[0057] The above steps of the present application can be executed in sequence, or can be adaptively adjusted according to actual conditions, and the execution order is not limited.

[0058] In some embodiments, the power management method of the docking station 1 can further include: after the terminal device 3 starts to output a voltage higher than the first preset value to the third signal line when monitoring that the voltage on the third signal line drops to the first preset value, the MCU 10 turns off the discharging circuit 20. Thus, energy waste can be avoided.

[0059] The present application can realize the above steps by modifying the program, without adding new hardware circuits. The present application realizes fast role swap (FRS) by monitoring the CC pin voltage change of the Type-C socket and using the MCU to control the power switching process, so that additional backup power supply circuits are not needed.

[0060] The present application realizes power management through software control, without adding new hardware circuits, thereby reducing costs and improving the reliability and miniaturization of the device.

[0061] Although the present application has been specifically described above in combination with the drawings and examples, it can be understood that the above description does not limit the present application in any form. Those skilled in the art can make modifications and changes to the present application according to needs without departing from the essential spirit and scope of the present application, and these modifications and changes all fall within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A power management method for a docking station, wherein a first end of the docking station is connected to a first end of a power adapter, a second end of the power adapter is connected to a power source, a second end of the docking station is connected to a terminal device, and a third end of the docking station is connected to a peripheral device; the docking station includes an MCU, a first switch, a second switch, and a discharge circuit; a first signal line in the first end of the docking station is connected to the first switch and the MCU; a second signal line in the first end of the docking station is connected to the MCU; a third signal line in the second end of the docking station is connected to the second switch, the MCU, and the discharge circuit; a fourth signal line in the second end of the docking station is connected to the MCU; the MCU is connected to the discharge circuit; and the first switch and the second switch are connected. The method is characterized in that... The method includes the following steps: The MCU monitors the voltage change of the first signal line or the second signal line in the first terminal of the power adapter; When the MCU detects that the voltage of the first signal line or the second signal line in the first terminal of the power adapter changes from high to low, which meets the disconnection characteristics, it is determined as a disconnection event. The MCU sends a low-level pulse to the fourth signal line at the second end of the expansion dock to initiate an FRS request to the terminal device; The MCU turns off the second switch and starts the discharge circuit, which is used to reduce the voltage on the third signal line. When the terminal device detects that the voltage on the third signal line has dropped to a first preset value, it begins to output a voltage higher than the first preset value to the third signal line. When the first end of the expansion dock is disconnected from the first end of the power adapter, or when the second end of the power adapter is disconnected from the power source, the voltage on the first signal line begins to drop. When the MCU detects that the voltage on the first signal line drops to be equal to or close to the voltage on the three signal lines, it turns off the first switch and turns on the second switch to enable the terminal device to supply power to the docking station.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first preset value is 4.75V.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The terminal device starts outputting a 5V voltage to the third signal line when it detects that the voltage on the third signal line has dropped to 4.75V.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first signal line is the VBUS_PD signal line, the second signal line is the CC_PD signal line, the third signal line is the VBUS_UFP signal line, and the fourth signal line is the CC_UFP signal line.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The power adapter inputs a 5V or 20V voltage to the expansion dock through the first end of the expansion dock.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The voltage on the third signal line drops to [value] within 1000 microseconds. 4.75V, and then increased from 4.75V to 5V in 200 microseconds.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: after the terminal device detects that the voltage on the third signal line has dropped to a first preset value, it starts to output a voltage higher than the first preset value to the third signal line, and then the MCU shuts down the discharge circuit.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expansion dock is an expansion dock with a Type-C interface. The first end of the expansion dock is a first Type-C interface, and the second end of the expansion dock is a second Type-C interface.

9. A docking station, characterized in that, The first end of the expansion dock is connected to the first end of the power adapter, the second end of the power adapter is connected to the power source, the second end of the expansion dock is connected to the terminal device, and the third end of the expansion dock is connected to the peripheral device. The expansion dock includes an MCU, a first switch, a second switch, and a discharge circuit. A first signal line in the first end of the expansion dock is connected to the first switch and the MCU, a second signal line in the first end of the expansion dock is connected to the MCU, a third signal line in the second end of the expansion dock is connected to the second switch, the MCU, and the discharge circuit, and a fourth signal line in the second end of the expansion dock is connected to the MCU. The MCU is connected to the discharge circuit, and the first switch and the second switch are connected. The expansion dock is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-8.

10. A control system, characterized in that, The control system includes a power supply, a power adapter, terminal equipment, peripherals, and the expansion dock as described in claim 9.

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