EHF Contactless Link Establishing USB Protocols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems for USB data transport protocols require significant host processor intervention and higher power consumption, especially when implementing industry-standard peripheral interfaces over wireless links, which increases complexity and adoption effort.
Innovation Solution
The development of Extremely High Frequency (EHF) contactless communication systems that establish USB data transport protocols without host processor intervention, using close proximity coupling between EHF communication units with state machines to transition through various states and implement USB protocols, such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB OTG, with lower power consumption and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional wireless USB implementations are used, then USB data transport protocols can be established over wireless connections, but host processor intervention and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The EHF communication units autonomously establish USB data transport protocols through integrated state machines that self-manage link establishment, protocol negotiation, and data transmission without requiring host processor intervention. The system serves itself by embedding protocol handling capabilities directly in the communication units, eliminating the need for external processor control and reducing power consumption associated with host processor operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wireless USB implementations are used, then USB protocols can be transported wirelessly, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges EHF communication capabilities with USB protocol handling by integrating state machines directly into the EHF communication units. This combination consolidates wireless communication and protocol management into a single integrated system, reducing the number of separate components and interfaces that would otherwise increase implementation complexity while maintaining support for multiple USB protocols including USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB OTG.
3Reliability
If higher power levels are used for wireless communication, then communication range and reliability improve, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes Extremely High Frequency (EHF) electromagnetic waves with frequencies in the 30-300 GHz range to enable contactless communication with lower power consumption compared to conventional RF frequencies. The EHF parameters provide sufficient link reliability for short-range communication while consuming less power, as the higher frequency allows for more efficient signal transmission over short distances without requiring high power levels.
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 efficient, low-latency, and power-efficient contactless communication links that support a range of data rates, eliminating the need for higher-level host processor intervention and reducing power consumption and implementation complexity compared to conventional wireless USB implementations.
Implementation Method 1
The link may be established through close proximity coupling between devices, each including at least one EHF communication unit
Data Source
AI summary
EHF communication systems described herein can selectively implement any one of the USB standards by mapping appropriate USB signal conditions over an EHF contactless communication link. The EHF contactless communication link may serve as an alternative to conventional board-to-board and device-to-device connectors, and as such enables wired connection USB signaling protocols to be used in a non-wired environment provided by the EHF contactless communications link. Use of a USB protocol over the EHF communications link can be accomplished by establishing the EHF link between counterpart EHF communication units, and then by establishing the appropriate USB protocol over the link.