Active USB-C Cable Control for Multi-Mode Signal Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current USB type-C technologies require additional signal processor circuits to support multiple transfer modes, increasing hardware costs and limiting the versatility of electronic devices if these circuits are not pre-installed.
Innovation Solution
An active cable with a controller that monitors connection messages to determine the transfer mode and adjusts electrical parameters, allowing it to adapt to different modes without the need for additional signal processing circuits in devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional signal processor circuits are employed in electronic devices to support multiple transfer modes, then the versatility of the devices is improved, but the hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable controller as an intermediary component between the host and device. This controller monitors connection messages and dynamically adjusts electrical parameters (such as impedance and signal levels) to support multiple transfer modes including USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.1. By placing the signal processing functionality in the cable rather than requiring it in both host and device, the patent reduces hardware complexity in the end devices while maintaining versatility through the cable's adaptive parameter adjustment capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional signal processor circuits are employed in electronic devices to support multiple transfer modes, then the ability to support different modes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal processing functionality from the host and device and relocates it to the cable controller. The cable controller contains the circuitry needed to monitor connection messages and adjust electrical parameters for different transfer modes. This extraction eliminates the need for additional signal processor circuits in the host and device, thereby reducing their complexity while preserving multi-mode support capabilities through the cable's embedded controller
3Reliability
If electrical parameters are dynamically adjusted based on connection messages, then signal quality is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable controller operates autonomously to monitor connection messages and automatically adjust electrical parameters without requiring external control from the host or device. The controller reads connection messages, determines the appropriate transfer mode, and self-adjusts parameters such as impedance and signal levels accordingly. This self-service approach improves signal quality for different transfer modes while minimizing control complexity, as the adjustment logic is embedded within the cable controller itself rather than requiring complex coordination between multiple devices
Data Source
AI summary
A cable includes a first plug, a second plug, and a controller. The first plug is configured to be connected with a host. The second plug is configured to be connected with a device. The controller is coupled between the first plug and the second plug, and is configured to monitor a connection message transferred between the host and the device, and to determine, according to the connection message, a transfer mode that the host and the device is to enter, and to set a plurality of electrical parameters to be a corresponding one set in a plurality of sets of predetermined parameters.