DisplayPort Cable USB Data Transmission Switching Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of separate cables for DisplayPort and USB connections in computing devices leads to an undesirable increase in cabling and data ports, necessitating a solution to transmit both DisplayPort and USB data over a single cable that supports low-speed, full-speed, and SuperSpeed USB communication.
Innovation Solution
An integration device with a main link switching circuit and controller is used to selectively couple channels of a DisplayPort cable with those of a non-DisplayPort cable, allowing for the transmission of both DisplayPort and USB data over a single DisplayPort cable by configuring the device to operate in different modes for USB 3.0 and DisplayPort communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cables are used for DisplayPort and USB connections, then each connection type has dedicated transmission channels, but the number of cables and data ports increases leading to cable clutter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines DisplayPort and USB transmission channels into a single cable by integrating multiple differential data pairs within one DisplayPort cable assembly. The cable includes both the main link channels for DisplayPort video data and additional differential data pairs for USB data transmission, thereby reducing the number of separate cables and connectors while maintaining reliable dedicated channels for each protocol through internal separation and switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The DisplayPort cable is designed to serve multiple functions by incorporating both DisplayPort main link transmission and USB data transmission capabilities. The cable can dynamically allocate its internal differential data pairs to different protocols based on operational mode, allowing a single universal cable to replace previously separate DisplayPort and USB cables, thus reducing cable clutter while maintaining protocol-specific reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single DisplayPort cable is used to transmit both DisplayPort and USB data, then cable clutter is reduced, but the cable must support multiple USB speeds (low-speed, full-speed, high-speed, and SuperSpeed)
Solution Approach 1:
The DisplayPort cable incorporates additional differential data pairs that can be dynamically configured to support multiple USB speed classes. The cable includes sufficient conductor pairs to handle SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbps) requirements, and through switching circuitry and mode configuration, these same physical channels can be adapted to support lower USB speeds (high-speed, full-speed, and low-speed), thereby providing universal USB compatibility within a single cable infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system employs dynamic configuration of its internal channels through switching circuits that can reassign differential data pairs between DisplayPort main link functions and USB data functions based on the operational mode. This dynamic allocation allows the same physical cable to adapt to different USB speed requirements and protocol demands, ensuring versatility across low-speed, full-speed, high-speed, and SuperSpeed USB communication without requiring separate cables for each USB version.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DisplayPort main link channels are used for USB transmission, then USB data can be transmitted over the DisplayPort cable, but DisplayPort video bandwidth may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cable's internal transmission channels are segmented into distinct functional groups: dedicated DisplayPort main link channels for video data and separate additional differential data pairs for USB data transmission. This segmentation allows the DisplayPort video bandwidth to be maintained on its designated channels while USB data utilizes the additional channels, preventing bandwidth contention. The switching circuitry can dynamically allocate these segmented channels based on operational mode without compromising DisplayPort video performance when in video-only mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds another dimension to the cable's capability by incorporating additional differential data pairs beyond the standard DisplayPort main link channels. This dimensional expansion provides separate physical channels for USB transmission, allowing USB data to coexist with DisplayPort video data without competing for the same bandwidth resources. When USB transmission is required, the system can utilize these additional channels while maintaining DisplayPort video on the original main link channels, thus preserving video bandwidth while enabling USB adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for communicating DisplayPort information and non-DisplayPort information over a DisplayPort cable are provided. In some embodiments, an integration device includes a main link switching circuit configured to selectively couple lanes of the DisplayPort main link to a DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a first mode, and to a non-DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a second mode. In some embodiments, the integration device may be configured to hot swap between the first mode and the second mode after an initial connection has been established.