Multifunctional debugger for TypeC interface

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of computers, and discloses a multifunctional debugger for a TypeC interface, which comprises a standard interface and a user-defined interface, a USB HUB chip expands USB signals into four paths of signals of USB0, USB1, USB2 and USB3, and the USB0 and the USB1 are respectively connected with at least four paths of UART signals through a USB to serial port chip; the USB2 realizes an ST-LINK interface communication function through a single chip microcomputer; the USB3 is connected to the custom interface through the analog switch to realize a USB interface function; the analog switch is controlled by a mechanical single-pole double-throw switch and is used for switching the UART / I2C interface and the USB / ST-LINK interface; and the LED indicating lamp displays the data transmission state of the UARTxTXD and the data transmission state of the UARTxRXD. According to the invention, the number of interfaces is increased, and functions of debugging, indicating lamp display and switch switching are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of computer technology, and in particular to a multifunctional debugger for a Type C interface. Background Art

[0002] With the popularity of Type C interfaces in portable smart devices, the debugging environment of engineers is also gradually changing. Traditional three-pin or five-pin debugging tools are connected through DuPont wires, which are commonly used but have obvious disadvantages. Especially in the debugging of motherboard products, when there are many serial ports, the traditional through-type pins not only occupy a large amount of valuable printed circuit board area, but also the connection of multiple DuPont wires is extremely cumbersome.

[0003] The USB debugger is a powerful assistant for software and hardware engineers and after-sales personnel. It can achieve smooth connection between the end to be tested and the accompanying test end, and easily convert various signals such as UART, I2C, ST-LINK, etc. into USB signals, so that the accompanying test end can easily read signal data. The convenience, speed and uniformity of this debugger significantly improve work efficiency, and its portability makes on-site work such as business trips easier. In addition, the modern design of its external interface makes it easier to build a test environment, which brings great convenience to users.

[0004] Therefore, it is urgent to invent a multifunctional debugger for TypeC interface.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present application, and therefore may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field. Utility Model Content

[0006] In order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, a brief summary is given below. The summary is not an extensive review, nor is it intended to identify key / critical components or delineate the scope of protection of these embodiments, but rather serves as a prelude to the detailed description that follows.

[0007] The disclosed embodiment provides a multifunctional debugger for a Type-C interface to facilitate staff in setting up a test environment.

[0008] In some embodiments, the multifunctional debugger for the TypeC interface includes:

[0009] Standard interface, signal definition complies with Type C standard, used to connect with the test computer;

[0010] Custom interface, signal definition is different from the standard Type C part, used to connect with the device under test;

[0011] USB HUB chip, used to expand USB signals into four signals: USB0, USB1, USB2, and USB3. USB0 and USB1 are connected to at least four UART signals through USB-to-serial port chips respectively; USB2 realizes ST-LINK interface communication function through a single-chip microcomputer; USB3 is connected to a custom interface through an analog switch to realize the USB interface function;

[0012] Analog switch, controlled by a mechanical single-pole double-throw switch, used to switch the UART / I2C interface and the USB / ST-LINK interface;

[0013] LED indicator, showing the data transmission status of UARTx_TXD and UARTx_RXD.

[0014] Optionally, at least three UARTs are connected in series with analog switches to implement switching between the UART and I2C interfaces.

[0015] Optionally, USB2 implements ST-LINK interface communication through the microcontroller STM32F103CBT6.

[0016] Optionally, USB3 is connected to a custom interface through an analog switch in the form of a USB interface, where the control pin of the analog switch is connected to a mechanical single-pole double-throw switch to achieve switching between the ST-LINK and USB interfaces.

[0017] Optionally, the status pin of each USB-to-serial port chip converts serial data into parallel data through a serial-to-parallel shift buffer, and each output pin Q0 to Q7 is connected to an LED light to indicate the data transmission status of UARTx_TXD and UARTx_RXD.

[0018] Optionally, the pins of the custom interface include data transmission, control and ground pins, and some pins have multiplexing functions.

[0019] Optionally, the power supply is directly derived from the standard interface and converted to the required 3.3V voltage on the board via an LDO.

[0020] Optionally, the multifunctional debugger also includes a functional interface in the form of a double-row angled pin for connecting to a three-pin serial port on a test end device via a DuPont line.

[0021] The multifunctional debugger for Type-C interface provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve the following technical effects:

[0022] The standard interface disclosed in this disclosure complies with the Type C standard in terms of signal definition; the standard interface is used to connect to the companion test computer, such as using a common mobile phone data cable to connect to the companion test computer. The custom interface does not fully comply with the Type C standard in terms of signal definition; the custom interface loses the feature of Type C that it can be plugged in both directions, but it enriches the number of interfaces and makes the interface function more powerful; the custom interface is used to connect the device under test.

[0023] The multifunctional debugger of the present application has, in addition to the basic debugging function, an indicator light display function and a switch switching function.

[0024] The above general description and the following description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not intended to limit the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by corresponding drawings, which do not limit the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are shown as similar elements, and the drawings do not constitute a scale limitation, and wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a multi-function debugger for a Type-C interface provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to be able to understand the features and technical contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail, the implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The attached drawings are for reference only and are not used to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the following technical description, for the convenience of explanation, a full understanding of the disclosed embodiments is provided through multiple details. However, one or more embodiments can still be implemented without these details. In other cases, to simplify the drawings, well-known structures and devices can be simplified for display.

[0028] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so as to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0029] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "middle", "outside", "front", "back", etc. indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are mainly intended to better describe the embodiments of the present disclosure and their embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to have specific directions, or to be constructed and operated in specific directions. Moreover, in addition to being used to indicate directions or positional relationships, some of the above terms may also be used to indicate other meanings. For example, the term "upper" may also be used to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship in certain circumstances. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of these terms in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0030] In addition, the terms "disposed", "connected" and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be an internal connection between two devices, elements or components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] Unless otherwise stated, the term "plurality" means two or more.

[0032] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the character " / " indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B indicates: A or B.

[0033] The term "and / or" is a description of the association relationship between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A or B, or, A and B.

[0034] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with each other.

[0035] The present invention discloses a multifunctional debugger, whose core architecture is as follows: Figure 1 As shown. One end of the debugger is a standard interface that complies with the Type C signal definition and is used to connect to the accompanying test computer, such as a common mobile phone data cable. The other end is a custom interface, whose signal definition is different from the standard Type C, and the forward and reverse plug-in function is abandoned, but the interface function has been enhanced, which is suitable for connecting the device under test.

[0036] In terms of functions, the debugger not only has basic debugging functions, but also adds indicator light display and switch switching functions. Using the USB2514 USB HUB chip, a single USB signal is expanded into four channels: USB0, USB1, USB2 and USB3. USB0 and USB1 are converted into eight UART signals through USB to serial port chips respectively. Among them, UART2, UART3, and UART4 can be switched with the I2C interface through analog switches. This switching function is conveniently controlled by a mechanical single-pole double-throw switch. USB2 realizes ST-LINK interface communication through the STM32F103CBT6 microcontroller, while USB3 is connected to the custom interface through an analog switch to realize flexible switching between ST-LINK and USB interfaces.

[0037] The customized TypeC pin signals are as follows:

[0038]

[0039] Among them, TXDx is the TXD signal of UARTx, and RXDx is the RXD signal of UARTx.

[0040] Specifically, in order to realize the function switching of UART / I2C, USB / ST-LINK composite pins, the analog switch SGM44602 is used to switch the functional circuit. The enable pin of each analog switch is controlled by a mechanical single-pole double-throw switch (SW in the figure). In this way, users can switch conveniently and quickly when using it, and this design idea guarantees the reliability during use to the greatest extent.

[0041] In addition, the power supply of the debugger comes directly from the standard interface, providing a 5V input voltage, and the 3.3V voltage required on the board is obtained through an LDO converter (DIO6083).

[0042] To facilitate users to observe the serial port data communication status, the debugger also converts the status pin (EECS, EECLK, EEDATA, PWEREN) data of the USB to multi-serial port chip FT4232 into parallel data through the serial-to-parallel shift register 74AHC595. Each output pin Q0~Q7 is connected to an LED light respectively, and the data transmission status of UARTx_TXD and UARTx_RXD is indicated by the LED light.

[0043] In terms of interface design, the custom interface takes into account the design of anti-reverse insertion and no damage to wrong insertion, and is compatible with multiple interface types, including 8 groups of UART interfaces, 3 groups of I2C interfaces, 1 group of ST-LINK interfaces and 1 group of USB interfaces. In order to further improve compatibility, the debugger also leads out all functional interfaces through 2.54mm double-row angled pins, allowing users to easily connect to the three-pin serial port on the test end device through DuPont cables.

[0044] The present disclosure also provides a debugging method, using any of the aforementioned multifunctional debuggers, the method comprising:

[0045] Connect the test computer to the standard interface;

[0046] Connect the device under test to the custom interface;

[0047] Switch the interface function through a mechanical switch;

[0048] Observe the LED indicator to determine the data transmission status;

[0049] Use the accompanying test computer to debug the equipment under test.

[0050] The above description and the accompanying drawings sufficiently illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may include structural and other changes. The embodiments represent only possible variations. Unless explicitly required, individual components and functions are optional, and the order of operations may vary. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or replace portions and features of other embodiments. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multifunctional debugger for TypeC interface, characterized in that: include: Standard interface, signal definition complies with Type C standard, used to connect with the test computer; Custom interface, signal definition is different from the standard Type C part, used to connect with the device under test; USB HUB chip, used to expand USB signals into four signals: USB0, USB1, USB2, and USB3. USB0 and USB1 are connected to at least four UART signals through USB-to-serial port chips respectively; USB2 realizes ST-LINK interface communication function through a single-chip microcomputer; USB3 is connected to a custom interface through an analog switch to realize the USB interface function; Analog switch, controlled by a mechanical single-pole double-throw switch, used to switch the UART / I2C interface and the USB / ST-LINK interface; LED indicator, showing the data transmission status of UARTx_TXD and UARTx_RXD.

2. The multifunctional debugger according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least three UARTs are connected in series with analog switches to implement switching between the UART and I2C interfaces.

3. The multifunctional debugger according to claim 1, characterized in that: USB2 realizes ST-LINK interface communication through the microcontroller STM32F103CBT6.

4. The multifunctional debugger according to claim 1, characterized in that: USB3 is connected to the custom interface through an analog switch in the form of a USB interface. Here, the control pin of the analog switch is connected to a mechanical single-pole double-throw switch to achieve switching between the ST-LINK and USB interfaces.

5. The multifunctional debugger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The status pin of each USB-to-serial port chip converts serial data into parallel data through a serial-to-parallel shift register. Each output pin Q0~Q7 is connected to an LED light to indicate the data transmission status of UARTx_TXD and UARTx_RXD.

6. The multifunctional debugger according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The pins of the custom interface include data transmission, control and ground pins, and some pins have multiplexing functions.

7. The multifunctional debugger according to claim 6, characterized in that: The power supply comes directly from the standard interface and is converted to the 3.3V voltage required on the board through an LDO.

8. The multifunctional debugger according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a functional interface in the form of a double-row angled pin for connecting to a three-pin serial port on a test end device via a DuPont line.

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