Hub Device Control Circuit for Multi-Storage Interleaving and Mirroring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Notebook computers often have limited connection ports, making it difficult for users to connect multiple peripheral devices simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A hub device with an upstream-facing port and multiple downstream-facing ports, coupled with a control chip that includes transceiver interfaces and a control circuit, allowing for data copying between storage devices in a mirror mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hub device is used to expand connection ports, then the number of connectable devices increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hub device is segmented into multiple independent functional modules: control circuit, first storage device interface, second storage device interface, and memory interface. Each module handles specific tasks independently, allowing the system to expand connectivity without creating a monolithic complex structure. The control circuit selectively activates only the required interfaces based on connection status, reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub device incorporates a universal control circuit that can manage multiple types of storage devices (first and second storage devices) through standardized protocols. The same control circuit handles both data reception from the host device and data distribution to various storage devices, eliminating the need for separate dedicated controllers for each function.
2Productivity
If data is stored in a single storage device, then the storage speed is limited, but the device complexity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into multiple independent storage devices (first storage device and second storage device), each capable of receiving and storing data independently. The control circuit divides incoming data streams and directs portions to different storage devices simultaneously, enabling parallel data writing operations that increase overall storage throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple storage devices into a unified storage architecture managed by a single control circuit. The control circuit coordinates data distribution across both storage devices and memory, combining their capacities to achieve higher effective storage speed while maintaining centralized control to manage complexity.
3Reliability
If data is automatically copied to backup storage, then data security improves, but the data storage time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit implements periodic backup operations where data is copied from the first storage device to the second storage device or memory at predetermined intervals or triggers. This periodic action ensures data security through regular backups while minimizing the time penalty by not continuously duplicating data but rather at optimized intervals based on system state and user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates data copies in the form of backup storage on the second storage device or memory. The control circuit manages the copying process by selecting which data to replicate and where to store it, enabling data security through redundancy while optimizing copy frequency and target selection to reduce time overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A hub device including an upstream-facing port, a first downstream-facing port, a second downstream-facing port, and a control chip is provided. The upstream-facing port is coupled to a host device and receives specific data from the host device. The first downstream-facing port is coupled to a first storage device. The second downstream-facing port is coupled to a second storage device. The control chip includes a first transceiver interface, a second transceiver interface, a third transceiver interface, and a control circuit. The first transceiver interface is coupled to the upstream-facing port. The second transceiver interface is coupled to the first downstream-facing port. The third transceiver interface is coupled to the second downstream-facing port. The control circuit is coupled to the first, second, and third transceiver interfaces. In a mirror mode, the control circuit copies data in the first storage device to the second storage device or a memory.