Adaptive Storage Connector Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices face compatibility issues with external devices due to different standards, limiting their usage and application, as they often require specific voltage sources and standards like M.2 and NGSFF for SSDs, which complicates system design and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A control method that uses switch elements and voltage sources to automatically determine the standard of an external device by analyzing the device existence voltage, allowing for adaptive supply and output voltage selection, and incorporates a hot-plug protection circuit to manage power efficiently, enabling seamless communication and operation across different standards without requiring component replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple voltage sources and switch elements are used to support different standards, then compatibility with external devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device is designed with multiple voltage sources (first voltage source and second voltage source) and switch elements that can be dynamically configured to support different connection standards (M.2 and NGSFF). This multi-functional design allows a single device to accommodate various external devices with different voltage requirements, thereby improving compatibility without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic voltage selection through control signals that activate specific switch elements based on the detected connection type. When an M.2 device is detected, the first voltage source is activated; when an NGSFF device is detected, the second voltage source is activated. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its electrical characteristics in real-time, resolving the contradiction between supporting multiple standards and maintaining system simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If automatic standard detection and adaptive voltage selection are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device automatically detects the connection type (M.2 or NGSFF) through the connector and autonomously selects the appropriate voltage source without requiring user intervention. The control circuit monitors the connection status and automatically configures the voltage output, allowing users to simply connect their devices and have the system handle all compatibility adjustments automatically, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control circuit continuously monitors the connection status through the connector and adjusts the voltage source selection accordingly. When a device is connected, the control circuit detects the connection type and provides feedback to the switch elements to activate the appropriate voltage source, creating a closed-loop system that automatically adapts to different device standards without user input.
3Use of energy by moving object
If hot-plug protection circuit is used to manage power dynamically, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hot-plug protection circuit dynamically enables or disables voltage sources based on periodic detection of device presence and connection status. The control circuit periodically checks whether devices are connected and automatically activates or deactivates the appropriate voltage sources, ensuring power is only consumed when actually needed. This periodic monitoring and dynamic power management improves energy efficiency while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during idle states.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method for communicating with an external device includes the steps of: when the external device is coupled to a connector, receiving a device existence voltage from the external device; generating a first control signal and a second control signal according to the device existence voltage; coupling a first voltage source or a second voltage source to the connector according to the first control signal, such that a first voltage of the first voltage source or a second voltage of the second voltage source is used as a supply voltage of the external device; and coupling a third voltage source or a fourth voltage source to an output node according to the second control signal, such that a third voltage of the third voltage source or a fourth voltage of the fourth voltage source is used as a tunable output voltage at the output node.