Embedded Power Control in High-Speed HDMI Cables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed differential signaling cables, such as those used for HDMI, suffer from bandwidth limitations and differential skew, leading to signal distortion and attenuation, which existing solutions like passive equalizers cannot adequately address due to random variations in cable characteristics and the lack of sufficient power for active signal boosters within the cables.
Innovation Solution
A programmable HDMI cable with an embedded boost device that obtains power from the signals, featuring a differential input circuit, processing block, and output circuit, including a voltage dropper and generator to provide power, and an equalization circuit to compensate for bandwidth limitations and skew, allowing for improved signal boosting and impedance matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive equalizers are used to compensate for bandwidth limitations, then signal distortion is reduced, but they cannot adequately address random variations in cable characteristics and lack sufficient power for active signal boosting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements programmable equalization that can be dynamically adjusted based on measured cable characteristics. The system includes a processor that can reconfigure equalization parameters in real-time to adapt to variations in cable length, temperature, and other factors, transforming the static passive equalizer into a dynamic adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the receiver measures actual signal quality and cable characteristics, then feeds this information back to the transmitter to adjust equalization settings. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to compensate for random variations in cable characteristics and maintain optimal signal quality.
2Reliability
If active signal boosters are embedded in cables, then signal attenuation is reduced, but sufficient power is not available within the cable to operate the boost device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements power harvesting where the signal booster circuitry is powered by extracting energy from the HDMI signal itself. The system uses the existing signal current to generate power for the boost device, eliminating the need for separate power transmission lines and enabling the cable to self-power active compensation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the signal transmission paths serve dual purposes: carrying both data signals and power for the boost device. The same conductors that transmit HDMI signals also provide power to the embedded active equalization circuitry, reducing the overall cable structure and eliminating separate power delivery infrastructure.
3Length of moving object
If cable length is increased to extend reach, then connectivity is improved, but bandwidth is reduced and signal attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary equalization at the transmitter end before signals enter the cable. By pre-compensating for the expected bandwidth limitations and attenuation based on cable length measurements, the system prepares the signal in advance to counteract the degrading effects of long-distance transmission, maintaining signal integrity throughout the extended cable run.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing power to a boost device in a high-speed cable connected between a transmitting data source device and a receiving data sink device is described. The method comprises receiving differential data signals from the data source device in a differential input circuit of the boost device; boosting at least one of the received differential data signals into a boosted differential data signal; transmitting the boosted differential data signal from a differential output circuit of the boost device to the receiving data sink device; and obtaining power to operate at least some of the circuitry of the boost device from the data sink device through its connection with the differential output circuit, for example, providing at least some of the power to operate the processing block. A corresponding high-speed cable is also described.