Multi-Stream Cable Throughput Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable information handling systems face challenges in maintaining reliable multi-protocol cable communications due to signal strength degradation and noise interference, leading to unpredictable disruptions and link failures in dynamic noise environments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that adjust communication parameters of a multi-protocol stream passing through a common cable in response to error thresholds, prioritizing protocols to maintain reliable data transfer rates and reduce link resets by reallocating data lanes and power transfer, ensuring system operational objectives are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protocols share a common cable interface to improve port versatility, then cable throughput reliability deteriorates due to signal interference and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters including data lane allocation and power transfer levels based on real-time error monitoring. The controller continuously monitors error thresholds and reconfigures the cable interface to allocate more data lanes to protocols experiencing higher error rates, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that resolves the reliability-versatility contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes operational parameters such as data lane assignment and power transfer characteristics in response to monitored error conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains reliable communication across multiple protocols sharing a common cable interface, transforming static protocol allocation into an adaptive parameter management system.
2Productivity
If data transfer rate is increased to improve productivity, then error rate increases leading to link resets
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic rate adjustment by monitoring error thresholds and adapting data lane allocation in real-time. When error rates increase, the controller redistributes data lanes to affected protocols, effectively adjusting the operational data transfer rate to maintain link stability while preserving overall system productivity through flexible resource reallocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring error thresholds and using this information to adjust data lane allocation and power transfer parameters. This closed-loop feedback system enables the controller to respond to increasing error rates by reconfiguring the cable interface, thereby maintaining link stability without permanently reducing productivity.
3Reliability
If error correction mechanisms are strengthened to improve reliability, then communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary error detection and correction by monitoring error thresholds in real-time and proactively adjusting data lane allocation before link failures occur. This preventive approach reduces the need for reactive error correction and retransmission, thereby maintaining communication reliability while minimizing latency associated with error handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable interface system serves itself by autonomously monitoring error conditions and reconfiguring data lane allocation without external intervention. This self-service mechanism handles error correction internally through dynamic parameter adjustment, reducing the time overhead associated with external error management protocols and maintaining low latency while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system communicates with external devices, such as a docking station, through a multi-protocol streaming cable, such as USB 3.0 (or greater) cable having a USB data protocol, a DisplayPort graphics protocol and a power transfer protocol. Upon detection of excessive errors at the cable, the multi-protocol stream is adjusted to maintain errors within an acceptable range and prioritize information transferred through one of the protocols. Adjustments may include changes to the number of data lanes assigned to each protocol, changes to the rate at which information is transferred with each protocol and changes to power transfer.