Intermediary Circuit Translates USB PD Protocols for Firmware Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB Power Delivery (USB PD) ICs face difficulties in firmware updates when using interfaces other than USB Type-C or when they do not support the USB PD 3.0 protocol, leading to failed update procedures.
Innovation Solution
An IC firmware update method utilizing an intermediary circuit that converts protocol requests into unstructured vendor defined messages (USVDMs) for firmware updates via the USB Type-C interface based on the USB Power Delivery 2.0 protocol, allowing updates even if the target IC does not support USB PD 3.0.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If USB PD IC uses USB Type-C interface with USB PD 3.0 protocol for firmware update, then firmware update convenience is improved, but compatibility with other interfaces (Smbus, I2C, conventional USB) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary circuit that acts as a protocol translator between the host circuit and the USB PD IC. This intermediary converts protocol requests from various interfaces (Smbus, I2C, conventional USB) into USB PD 3.0 protocol messages that the USB PD IC can understand, thereby maintaining compatibility with multiple interfaces while enabling firmware updates through the convenient USB Type-C interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If USB PD IC does not support USB PD 3.0 protocol but needs firmware update through USB Type-C interface, then firmware update capability is improved, but protocol support requirement worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary circuit serves as a protocol translation layer that converts USB PD 3.0 protocol messages into formats compatible with older USB PD versions (such as USB PD 2.0 or earlier). This allows USB PD ICs that do not support USB PD 3.0 to receive firmware updates through the USB Type-C interface, as the intermediary handles the protocol conversion automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the protocol parameters by introducing an intermediary that translates between different USB PD protocol versions. The intermediary modifies message formats, data structures, and communication protocols to match what the target USB PD IC supports, while maintaining the USB Type-C physical interface connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional USB interface is used for firmware update of USB PD IC, then interface compatibility is improved, but update procedure success rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary circuit translates protocol requests from conventional USB interfaces into the specific USB PD 3.0 protocol format required by the USB PD IC. This translation ensures that even though the physical interface is compatible (conventional USB), the communication protocol is correctly formatted, thereby maintaining both interface compatibility and update success rate.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an IC firmware update method performed by an intermediary circuit. The method includes: communicating with a target circuit to enter a predetermined mode; transmitting a status response message to a host circuit in response to a status asking message of the host circuit so as to inform the host circuit of its entrance to the predetermined mode; after the transmission of the status response message, receiving a first protocol request command of the host circuit; converting the first protocol request command into N request-end unstructured vendor defined message(s) (USVDM(s)) and transmitting the N request-end USVDM(s) to the target circuit to let it execute a firmware update operation, in which the N is a positive integer; receiving N response-end USVDM(s) of the target circuit related to the N request-end USVDM(s); and converting the N response-end USVDM(s) into a first protocol response command and transmitting it to the host circuit.