Active Cable Auxiliary Power Layout for Lower IR-Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active cables face challenges in meeting USB 3.0 specifications for IR-drop and signal attenuation while maintaining cable softness and user experience, as the thick copper wires required for power transmission lead to excessive IR-drop and unattractive, rigid cables.
Innovation Solution
The active cable design disconnects the active component at the device end from the VBUS and introduces an auxiliary power wire from the host end to supply power, ensuring the current transmitted by the VBUS matches the device's current absorption, thereby reducing IR-drop and cable thickness, and includes a power module to accommodate different voltage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the copper wire of the VBUS is made very thick to satisfy IR-drop requirement, then the IR-drop of the VBUS is reduced, but the cable becomes rigid and loses softness
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission function is segmented into two independent paths: the main VBUS copper wire for power delivery to the device, and an auxiliary power wire for powering the active component. This segmentation allows the VBUS wire to be optimized for softness while the auxiliary wire handles the additional power consumption of the active component, resolving the contradiction between IR-drop requirements and cable flexibility.
2Reliability
If the copper wire of the VBUS is made very thick to satisfy IR-drop requirement, then the IR-drop of the VBUS is reduced, but the cable thickness increases and appearance becomes unattractive
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission function is segmented into two independent paths: the main VBUS copper wire for power delivery to the device, and an auxiliary power wire for powering the active component. This segmentation allows the VBUS wire to be optimized for softness while the auxiliary wire handles the additional power consumption of the active component, resolving the contradiction between IR-drop requirements and cable flexibility.
3Extent of automation
If the active component is powered by the VBUS at the device end, then the active component can operate, but the current transmitted by the VBUS increases causing excessive IR-drop
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission function is segmented into two independent paths: the main VBUS copper wire for power delivery to the device, and an auxiliary power wire for powering the active component. This segmentation allows the VBUS wire to be optimized for softness while the auxiliary wire handles the additional power consumption of the active component, resolving the contradiction between IR-drop requirements and cable flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
An auxiliary power wire is introduced as an intermediary element to supply power to the active component. This intermediary power transmission path isolates the active component's power consumption from the main VBUS current, allowing the VBUS to maintain its current transmission level without excessive IR-drop while the auxiliary wire independently powers the active component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces the risk of excessive IR-drop, improves cable softness, and enhances user experience by maintaining compliance with USB 3.0 specifications while allowing for cable extension and reducing the cable's thickness.
Implementation Method 1
One end of the auxiliary power wire is located at the host connection end and connected with the main power wire, and another end of the auxiliary power wire is located at the device connection end to supply power to the active component of the device connection end
Implementation Method 2
the main power wire is used for current transmission between the VBUS of the host and the device
Data Source
AI summary
An active cable avoiding influence of RX power consumption, comprising: the host connection end, the device connection end and the data wire and the auxiliary wire located between them. The auxiliary wire consists of the main power wire and the auxiliary power wire, wherein, the main power wire is used for current transmission between the VBUS of the host and the device; the auxiliary wire, one end of it is located at the host connection end and connected with the main power wire, and another end at the device connection end and is used for supply power to the active component at the device connection end. The active cable disconnects an active module of the device connection end from the VBUS and also arranges the power module between the active component and the auxiliary wire.