Extensible Host Controller for Direct USB Host-to-Host Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing USB master/slave architecture prevents direct communication between two hosts, requiring an expensive intermediate bridge device and limiting data transmission performance due to indirect data transmission.
Innovation Solution
An extensible host controller with a USB module, control unit, and PCIe bus that supports both USB and predetermined modes, allowing direct data transmission between hosts via an ordinary USB transmission line by determining the roles of connected devices and using a debug capability unit to respond to requests from another USB host.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate bridge device is used to enable communication between two USB hosts, then communication between hosts is achieved, but the cost increases and data transmission performance is limited due to indirect transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The USB host controller is enhanced with dual functionality: it can operate as a traditional USB host controller and also function as a USB device controller. This allows the host to directly communicate with another USB host through the USB transmission line without requiring an intermediate bridge device, thereby reducing cost and improving transmission performance while maintaining host-to-host communication capability
2Ease of operation
If a traditional USB host controller is used, then the host can communicate with USB peripheral devices, but direct communication between two hosts is impossible under the master/slave architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The USB host controller dynamically switches between two operational modes: USB host mode for communicating with peripheral devices, and USB device mode for communicating with another USB host. The controller can adapt its role based on the connection type, enabling both host-to-peripheral and host-to-host communication without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function
Data Source
AI summary
An extensible host controller applied to a host includes a universal serial bus (USB) module, a control unit, and a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIE) bus. The USB module includes a USB unit and a predetermined unit. The PCIE bus is coupled to the control unit, wherein the PCIE bus supports a USB mode and a predetermined mode. When a first host with a first extensible host controller is connected to the USB module, the control unit makes the host utilize the USB mode and the USB unit, or the predetermined mode and the predetermined unit to communicate with the first host according to a determination way.