Extensible Host Controller Direct USB Host-to-Host Communication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The standard USB master/slave architecture restricts direct communication between two hosts, requiring an expensive intermediate bridge device for data transmission, which is inefficient and limits performance.

Innovation Solution

An extensible host controller (xHC) with a USB module, control circuit, and PCIe bus that supports both USB and predetermined data transmission modes, allowing direct communication using an ordinary USB transmission line without an intermediate bridge, utilizing a debug capability unit to respond to requests from another USB host.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an intermediate bridge device is used to enable communication between two USB hosts, then direct communication between hosts is achieved, but the cost increases and data transmission performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capability between hostsVSAvoidcost and performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The USB host controller is designed with dual functionality: it can operate as a traditional USB master to control USB devices, and simultaneously as a USB device itself to communicate with other USB hosts. The controller includes both a USB master control unit and a USB device control unit, allowing it to adapt its role based on communication needs. This eliminates the requirement for separate bridge devices while maintaining full communication capability between hosts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the traditional USB architecture by enabling a USB host controller to also function as a USB device. Normally, hosts only initiate communications as masters, but this invention allows the controller to respond to requests from other hosts by operating in device mode. This role reversal enables direct host-to-host communication without requiring intermediate bridge devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an intermediate bridge device is used for host-to-host communication, then communication is enabled, but data transmission performance is limited due to indirect transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehost-to-host communicationVSAvoiddata transmission performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the bridge device function from a separate hardware component and integrates it directly into the USB host controller. By incorporating both master and device control units within the same controller, the system eliminates the need for external bridge devices, enabling direct host-to-host communication through the USB transmission line and improving data transmission performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the USB master/slave architecture is used, then standard USB communication is maintained, but direct communication between two hosts is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandard USB communicationVSAvoidhost-to-host communication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically switches between master and device modes based on the communication requirements. When communicating with USB devices, it operates as master; when communicating with other USB hosts, it operates as device. This dynamic role adjustment maintains compatibility with standard USB architecture while enabling extended host-to-host communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10372660B2Extensible host controller and an operation method thereof

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 EEVER TECH INC

AI summary

An extensible host controller (xHC) applied to a host includes universal serial bus (USB) module, a control circuit, an xHC interface circuit, a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIE) bus. The USB module includes a USB interface circuit and a predetermined interface circuit. The PCIE bus supports a USB mode and a predetermined data transmission mode. When a USB device is connected to the USB module, the control circuit issues first requests to the USB device to let the host utilize the USB mode and the USB interface circuit to communicate with the USB device; and when a USB host is connected to the USB module, the control circuit responds to second requests issued from the USB host to let the host utilize the predetermined data transmission mode and the predetermined interface circuit to communicate with the USB host.