Galvanically Isolated USB Repeater for Mixed HS and FS Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing a USB isolator that supports high-speed (HS), full-speed (FS), and low-speed (LS) operations while navigating the challenges of different voltage levels, timing requirements, and signaling protocols, which results in suboptimal performance and increased costs due to the need for multiple isolation channels.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an isolating repeater with dedicated HS isolation channels and shared FS/LS isolation channels, allowing efficient operation across multiple USB modes by encoding and decoding two-state signals across a galvanic isolation barrier, reducing the number of isolation channels and optimizing transceiver design for each mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple isolation channels are used to support HS, FS, and LS operations, then the USB isolator can maintain galvanic isolation across different voltage levels and signaling protocols, but the device cost and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple USB operating modesVSAvoidnumber of isolation channels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal isolation channel that can operate across multiple USB data rates (LS, FS, and HS modes) by using a single transceiver design that adapts to different signaling protocols. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated isolation channels for each USB mode, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining adaptability to support all operating modes through a unified architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If dedicated HS isolation channels are implemented, then high-speed performance can be optimized, but the number of isolation channels increases leading to higher device cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh-speed data transmission performanceVSAvoidnumber of isolation channels

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the isolation channel requirements for HS, FS, and LS operations into a single shared isolation channel infrastructure. By combining the functions of multiple dedicated channels into one unified channel that dynamically adapts to different data rates, the design achieves optimized high-speed performance without the need for separate dedicated HS channels, thereby reducing the overall number of isolation channels and associated device cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transceivers are used to support different USB data rates, then each mode can be optimized independently, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimized performance for each USB modeVSAvoidpower consumption of isolator

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal transceiver design that can dynamically adapt to operate at different USB data rates (LS, FS, and HS) using a single transceiver unit. This multi-functional transceiver eliminates the need for multiple separate transceivers, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to optimize performance for each USB mode through adaptive signaling and protocol handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If separate isolation channels are provided for each USB data rate, then galvanic isolation can be maintained for each mode, but the device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegalvanic isolation effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of isolation channels

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the galvanic isolation functions for multiple USB data rates into a single isolation channel that dynamically adapts to different operating modes. By combining separate isolation channels into one unified isolation infrastructure that maintains galvanic isolation effectiveness across LS, FS, and HS modes through adaptive signaling, the design reduces device complexity and cost while preserving reliable galvanic isolation for all USB operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11669475B2Isolated universal serial bus repeater with high speed capability

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

An isolating repeater and corresponding method for Universal Serial Bus (USB) communications. The isolating repeater includes, on either side of a galvanic isolation barrier, front end circuitry coupled to a pair of external terminals, a full speed (FS) transceiver adapted to drive and receive signals over one or more FS isolation channels, and a high speed (HS) transceiver adapted to drive signals over a one HS isolation channel and receive signals over another HS isolation channel. The front end circuitry encodes received signals corresponding to HS data into two-state signals for transmission over one HS isolation channel, and encodes received signals corresponding to HS signaling into two-state signals for transmission over one or more of the FS isolation channels. The front end circuitry on the other side of the isolation barrier decodes the two-state signals received over the one or more FS isolation channels and the two-state signals received over the HS isolation channel for transmission at its external terminals.