Communication Control Apparatus for Automatic Bus Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing USB 3.0 communication control techniques require manual user intervention to switch data transfer modes, making user operation cumbersome, especially when multiple devices with varying data transfer rates are connected, leading to inefficient bandwidth allocation.
Innovation Solution
A communication control apparatus with a determination unit to assess the data transfer rate of a detachable recording medium and a control unit to automatically switch between SuperSpeed and Non-SuperSpeed modes based on predetermined thresholds, ensuring optimal bandwidth allocation for connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual switching of data transfer modes is implemented, then bandwidth allocation can be optimized for different devices, but user operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral device automatically determines its own data transfer rate capability and selects the appropriate bus mode (SuperSpeed or Non-SuperSpeed) without requiring manual user intervention. The device self-services by autonomously configuring the connection based on its recording medium's transfer rate, thereby optimizing bandwidth allocation while eliminating cumbersome user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the peripheral device report its data transfer rate capability to the host controller, which then automatically selects the appropriate bus mode. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adaptation to different device capabilities, ensuring optimal bandwidth utilization without manual user configuration.
2Speed
If SuperSpeed mode is used for all devices, then maximum transfer rate is achieved, but bandwidth is wasted on devices that do not require high-speed transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by assigning different bus modes to different peripheral devices based on their individual data transfer rate requirements. Devices with high-speed recording media (exceeding 480 Mbps) are connected via SuperSpeed bus, while devices with lower-speed media are connected via Non-SuperSpeed bus. This localized optimization ensures that bandwidth is allocated according to actual device needs, maximizing transfer speed where required and minimizing waste where not needed.
3Productivity
If automatic mode switching is implemented, then bandwidth allocation is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral device performs self-service by autonomously determining its data transfer rate capability and selecting the appropriate bus mode without requiring complex host controller logic. This shifts the intelligence to the peripheral device, which already has knowledge of its recording medium's capabilities, thereby optimizing bandwidth allocation while keeping the host controller relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by changing a single key parameter - the data transfer rate threshold (480 Mbps). The peripheral device compares its recording medium's transfer rate against this threshold and automatically selects the appropriate bus mode. This simple parameter-based decision rule enables automatic optimization without requiring complex control algorithms or multiple configuration parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication control apparatus includes a first interface, a second interface, a determination unit, and a control unit. The first interface is connected to a detachable recording medium. The second interface is connected to an external device. The second interface includes a first bus controlled by a first bus controller and a second bus controlled by a second bus controller. The second bus has a maximum transfer rate less than that of the first bus. The determination unit is configured to determine a data transfer rate of the detachable recording medium when the detachable recording medium is connected to the first interface. The control unit is configured to establish a connection to the external device via the first bus when the determined data transfer rate exceeds a predetermined threshold, and via the second bus when the determined data transfer rate does not exceed the predetermined threshold.