PD Power Switching Interface for Fewer Cables and Stable Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional arrangements limit power supply to electronic devices via PD charging protocol, requiring additional cables when the power providing device cannot support or provide sufficient power, leading to inefficiencies and increased cable complexity.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with multiple interfaces and a controller that selectively couples power buses and communication channels to establish a PD charging protocol between devices, allowing power to be sourced from an auxiliary power supply when primary supply is insufficient, along with active signal processing to enhance signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the display device is used as the power providing device for PD charging protocol, then the number of cables is reduced, but the power supply capability is limited by the display device
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device is designed with multiple connection interfaces that can function both as signal transmission channels and as power supply channels supporting PD charging protocol. This multi-functionality allows the same connection device to reduce cable count while enabling access to higher power capacity from computer hosts or external power adapters, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing cable complexity and maintaining power supply capability.
2Power
If an additional power cable is used to provide sufficient power, then the power supply capability is improved, but the cable complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device integrates multiple functions including signal transmission, power delivery via PD charging protocol, and active signal processing within a single device. This allows the system to achieve sufficient power supply capability without requiring additional dedicated power cables, thereby maintaining power capability while reducing overall cable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device acts as an intermediary between the display device and the power demand device (laptop). It establishes PD charging protocol communication with the laptop and can source power from either the display device or external power adapters, eliminating the need for users to directly manage multiple cables while ensuring adequate power delivery.
3Device complexity
If conventional transmission lines are used, then the cable arrangement is simplified, but the signal quality deteriorates in long-distance applications
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device serves as an active intermediary in the signal transmission path between the display device and the laptop. It performs active signal processing functions including equalization, pre-emphasis, and clock data recovery (CDR) to compensate for signal degradation over long distances. This allows the system to maintain simplified cable arrangements while significantly improving signal quality and transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces passive mechanical cable transmission with active electronic signal processing within the connection device. Instead of relying solely on the physical properties of the cable for signal transmission, the connection device uses electronic circuits to actively regenerate and condition signals, thereby maintaining signal quality without requiring complex cable arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection device includes a first connection interface, a second connection interface, a third connection interface, a controller and a power selection component. A first transmission/reception channel of the first connection interface is, directly or indirectly, coupled to a second transmission/reception channel of the second connection interface. A first communication channel of the first connection interface, a second communication channel of the second connection interface, and a third communication channel of the third connection interface are coupled to the controller. The power selection component, in respond to a control signal provided by the controller, selectively couples a first power bus of the first connection interface to a second power bus of the second connection interface or a third power bus of the third connection interface.