Coaxial Retimer Cable for Fewer Signal Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable technologies aim to reduce the number of electric wires but still require multiple wires for signal transmission, which can be inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A cable configuration that includes a first converter with differential-to-single-ended and single-ended-to-differential signal converters, and a second converter connected via a coaxial line, allowing for signal conversion and reduction in the number of electric wires needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ground shield or STP line is used as signal line for low-speed communication, then the number of electric wires is reduced to two, but further reduction in the number of electric wires is desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple wires into a single coaxial line. The coaxial line simultaneously carries both data signals and power, eliminating the need for separate dedicated signal wires. This consolidation reduces the total wire count from multiple individual wires to just one coaxial connection, directly resolving the contradiction between reducing wire quantity and maintaining signal transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coaxial line is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a data communication channel and a power delivery medium. By making the single coaxial line universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate power wires and signal wires, thereby reducing the overall number of electric wires while preserving full functionality for both power supply and data transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electric wires are used for signal transmission, then signal transmission capability is maintained, but the number of electric wires increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wire functions into a single coaxial line structure. The differential signal pairs and power delivery are integrated within the same coaxial connection, eliminating the need for multiple separate wire connections while maintaining robust signal transmission capability through differential signaling within the coaxial line.
Solution Approach 2:
The converters act as intermediaries that enable bidirectional communication between differential and single-ended signaling domains. These converters allow the system to use a single coaxial line for both sending and receiving signals by converting between differential and single-ended formats, thereby maintaining full duplex communication capability with minimal wiring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If converters are added for signal conversion, then signal transmission flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The converters are designed with multi-functionality to perform both differential-to-single-ended and single-ended-to-differential conversion. This universal design allows a single converter component to handle bidirectional signal conversion, reducing the need for separate dedicated converters for each direction and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining signal transmission flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable includes a first retimer, a second retimer, and a coaxial line. Each of the first retimer and the second retimer includes: a differential-to-single-ended signal converter that receives an input of a differential signal and outputs a single-ended signal; and a single-ended-to-differential signal converter that receives an input of a single-ended signal and outputs a differential signal. The first retimer and the second retimer are connected via the coaxial line.