Optical USB Device Backward Compatibility via Electro-Optical Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition to optical USB technology poses a backward compatibility issue due to most electrical devices supporting electrical signal transmission rather than optical signal transmission, limiting the compatibility with existing USB devices across different speeds.
Innovation Solution
An optical USB device with an electro-optical converter and a USB 3.0 pin-compatible connector that transmits and receives signals, enabling compatibility with both electrical and optical USB devices by using an electro-optical converter and a USB 3.0 pin-compatible connector for seamless integration with existing USB infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If optical USB technology is adopted to achieve higher transmission speeds, then transmission rate is improved, but backward compatibility with existing electrical USB devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An electro-optical converter is introduced as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between optical USB technology and existing electrical USB devices. The converter includes an optical receiver that converts optical signals to electrical signals and an optical transmitter that converts electrical signals to optical signals, enabling seamless communication between optical USB devices and traditional electrical USB devices without requiring changes to existing electrical USB infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The USB 3.0 pin-compatible connector is designed with multi-functionality to support both optical and electrical signal transmission. The connector includes pin assignments that can accommodate either optical or electrical connections, allowing a single connector design to serve multiple purposes and maintain compatibility across different USB standards and signal types
2Ease of operation
If USB 3.0 pin-compatible connector is used to maintain compatibility, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to supporting multiple signal types
Solution Approach 1:
The USB connector is segmented into distinct pin assignments that are dedicated to specific functions. The pin assignment includes separate pins for optical differential data pairs, electrical differential data pairs, power, and ground. This segmentation allows the connector to support multiple signal types simultaneously while maintaining clear organization and reducing the complexity of signal routing and management
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables seamless recognition and operation of optical USB devices with conventional USB devices, supporting speeds from USB 1.1 to USB 3.0 and beyond, enhancing compatibility and transmission rates up to 10Gb/sec without requiring significant changes to existing hardware.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-optical converter configured to receive optical signals from an optical fiber and to convert the first optical signals into first electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
configured to receive second electrical signals and to convert the second electrical signals into optical signals for transmission to the optical fiber
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An optical USB device (106) includes an electro-optical converter (112, 138) configured to receive optical signals from an optical fiber (118) and to convert them into first electrical signals and configured to receive second electrical signals and to convert them into optical signals for transmission to the optical fiber (118). A USB 3.0 pin-compatible connector (122) is coupled to the electro-optical converter (112, 138). The pin-compatible connector (122) is configured for coupling to a USB 3.0 connector (108) of another USB device. The pin-compatible connector (122) includes a first pair of pins (142, 144) configured for transmitting the first electrical signals from the optical USB device (106). The pin-compatible connector (122) also includes a second pair of pins (162, 164) configured for receiving the second electrical signals into the optical USB device (106). The pin-compatible connector (122) also includes a third pair of pins (152, 154) configured for transceiving third electrical signals according to a non-USB serial bus interface protocol to control and configure the electro-optical converter (112, 138).