DC Bias Signal Protocol Identification for PCIe SAS Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing communication protocols, such as PCIe and SAS, often use the same physical interface, leading to customer confusion when connecting cables, as the physical type of cable cannot reliably indicate the protocol type, potentially resulting in incorrect connections and compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A DC bias signal is applied to the transmission line, independent of the communication protocol, to identify the protocol type before establishing a link, using a DC bias source coupled to the transmitter and isolated by filters at the receiver, allowing devices to adapt to the correct protocol and prevent incorrect connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the same physical interface is used for multiple communication protocols (PCIe and SAS), then device compatibility and cable universality are improved, but protocol identification accuracy and connection reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a DC bias signal to the transmission line before establishing the communication link to identify the protocol type. This preliminary action allows the receiving device to determine whether PCIe or SAS protocol will be used, enabling proper configuration before data transmission begins, thus resolving the ambiguity of using the same physical interface for multiple protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a DC bias signal as an intermediary carrier to convey protocol identification information. This bias signal serves as a mediator between the physical connection and the protocol selection, allowing the system to distinguish between PCIe and SAS protocols despite using identical physical interfaces, thereby maintaining both cable universality and connection reliability
2Loss of information
If a DC bias signal is applied to identify protocol type, then protocol identification capability is improved, but signal complexity and potential interference with high-speed transmission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal transmission into two independent components: a DC bias signal for protocol identification and a high-speed AC signal for data transmission. By separating these functions into different signal domains (DC vs. AC), the system can extract protocol information without compromising data transmission integrity, thus improving protocol identification while maintaining signal simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the existing transmission line infrastructure to carry both the DC bias signal and the high-speed data signal. Rather than introducing separate identification wiring, the solution copies the capability of the existing cable to also convey protocol information through the DC bias component, avoiding additional hardware complexity while enabling protocol identification
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
Enables customer-friendly multi-protocol compatibility by allowing devices to identify and adapt to the correct communication protocol, preventing issues due to physical cable inference and ensuring protocol integrity without compromising high-speed transmission accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The DC bias source is to apply, onto the transmission line, the DC bias signal
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter AC coupling capacitor at the transmitter connector, and a receiver AC coupling capacitor at the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An example device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a direct current (DC) bias source coupled to a transmitter connector of a transmitter. The DC bias source is to apply, onto the transmission line, a DC bias signal isolatable from the transmission protocol by the receiver based on the receiver separating the DC bias signal from the transmission protocol without compromising the transmission protocol.