Boost Device for HDMI Cable Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing high-speed data cables, such as HDMI and DisplayPort cables, are complex and expensive to manufacture due to their multiple shielded wires, which complicates the manufacturing and termination processes.
Innovation Solution
A boosted high-speed data cable design that uses a reduced number of wire elements, including a split dual shielded cable element and a boost device to convert and boost signals, allowing auxiliary signals to be carried on the shields, thereby simplifying the cable configuration and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple shielded wires are used to carry high-speed differential signals and auxiliary signals separately, then signal quality is maintained, but cable complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal transmission functions into a single shielded cable element. The shielded conductor carries the high-speed differential signal while the individual shield carries auxiliary signals, merging what would traditionally require separate conductors into one integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielded cable element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: transmitting high-speed differential signals through the shielded conductor and carrying auxiliary signals through the individual shield, making a single cable component universal for multiple signal types.
2Reliability
If multiple shielded wires are used to carry high-speed differential signals and auxiliary signals separately, then signal integrity is preserved, but manufacturing and termination costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal paths into a single cable element structure, reducing the number of separate manufacturing steps and termination operations required while preserving signal integrity through the shielded construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the inherent electromagnetic shielding properties of the individual shield to differentiate signal paths, where the shield's electrical characteristics (rather than physical separation) provide the signal isolation needed for maintaining integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a reduced number of wire elements is used in the cable, then manufacturing cost decreases, but signal transmission capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves cost reduction by merging multiple signal functions into fewer cable elements, while the shielded construction and boost device ensure that signal transmission capability is maintained through enhanced signal processing and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The boost device acts as an intermediary that compensates for the reduced number of wire elements by actively processing and enhancing the signals, ensuring that transmission capability is maintained despite the simplified cable structure.
4Device complexity
If shields are used to carry auxiliary signals, then cable complexity is reduced, but signal interference may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harmful effect of using shields for auxiliary signals into a benefit by employing the shield's inherent electromagnetic properties to contain and direct signals, where the same structure that could cause interference also provides the shielding necessary to prevent it.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielded conductor acts as an intermediary between the high-speed differential signal and the auxiliary signals carried on the individual shield, providing electromagnetic isolation that prevents interference while allowing both signal types to coexist in the same cable element.
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
The solution results in a more economical and efficient high-speed data cable that maintains superior signal quality while reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing, by utilizing the shields for auxiliary signals and employing a boost device for signal conversion and enhancement.
Implementation Method 1
a single-ended to differential converter (SDC) for receiving one of the polarities from the raw cable and converting it to a regenerated differential signal
Implementation Method 2
a boost device, the boost device comprising the SDC, the boost device being configured for boosting the regenerated differential signal and transmitting a boosted regenerated differential signal to the sink device
Implementation Method 3
a termination resistor for terminating the other polarity of the high speed differential digital data signal, wherein a resistance of the termination resistor substantially matches an impedance of the shielded conductor carrying the other polarity of the high speed differential digital data signal
Data Source
AI summary
A high speed video cable carries signals according to the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), and includes a raw cable and a boost device. Each of four high speed video signals is carried on the inner conductors of a pair of coaxial lines in the raw cable. The boost device receives only one of the polarities of one of the high speed video signals, and generates a differential signal therefrom. Lower speed signals are carried on the galvanically or capacitively coupled shields of a pair of coaxial lines.