Flash Memory Card Protocol Negotiation for Host Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing host devices often support only a restricted set of communication protocols, leading to compatibility issues with new memory cards that may not support multiple protocols, resulting in failed communication attempts and limited functionality.
Innovation Solution
A protocol-based communication system where a host device automatically selects the appropriate protocol by querying a flash mass storage card with multiple protocol-supporting facilities, allowing for seamless communication using the preferred protocol supported by the card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a host device supports multiple protocols, then compatibility with different memory cards is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory card interface is designed with multiple protocol-supporting facilities (e.g., MMC controller, SD controller, SDIO controller) within a single card type, allowing one interface to serve multiple host devices with different protocol requirements. This multi-functionality approach shifts the complexity from the host side to the card side, enabling universal compatibility without requiring each host to support multiple protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a memory card supports multiple protocols, then adaptability to different hosts is improved, but the card complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory card interface is segmented into multiple independent protocol-supporting facilities (MMC controller, SD controller, SDIO controller), each handling a specific protocol. This segmentation allows the card to present different protocol capabilities to different hosts without requiring a single monolithic complex controller, making the multi-protocol support more manageable and scalable.
3Reliability
If automatic protocol selection is implemented, then communication reliability is improved, but the setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The host device performs preliminary action by sending a query message before actual data communication begins. This query message specifies the protocol the host prefers or supports, allowing the interface to pre-configure the appropriate protocol-supporting facility before data transfer starts. This preliminary protocol negotiation ensures reliable communication while minimizing the time needed during actual data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A protocol-based communication between a host device (e.g., MP3 player, digital camera, palmtop, etc.) and an interface (e.g., flash mass storage card) is established automatically by providing protocol-supporting facilities in the interface, each facility supporting communication with the host device based on a respective protocol, by sending a query message from the host device to the interface specifying at least one protocol for use in protocol-based communication, by searching, within the plurality of protocol-supporting facilities provided in the interface one protocol-supporting facility supporting the protocol proposed in the query message, and if such protocol-supporting facility is found within the plurality of protocol-supporting facilities provided in the interface, by setting up the protocol-based communication between the host device and the interface based on the protocol proposed in the query message issued from the host device.