Repeater Circuit Disablement for Overlong USB Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB repeaters face challenges in detecting and resolving babble conditions, particularly when a device continues signaling beyond the specified packet duration, leading to communication disruptions due to the inability of the repeater to detect the babble condition from occupied signaling lines.
Innovation Solution
A repeater circuitry is designed to monitor the duration of data transmission and disable itself when the duration exceeds a threshold, effectively resolving babble conditions by preventing further data transmission until the issue is resolved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the repeater continues to provide communication on the second bus beyond the specified packet duration, then data transmission completeness is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to babble conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater performs preliminary action by monitoring the duration of communication signaling before the babble condition fully develops. The duration monitoring circuit tracks the signaling time and triggers a disable action when the threshold is reached, preventing the harmful babble condition from occurring in the first place
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the duration monitoring circuit that continuously measures the communication signaling duration and compares it against the threshold. This feedback loop enables the repeater to detect when communication extends beyond the specified packet duration and automatically respond by disabling the communication
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the repeater monitors communication duration continuously, then babble detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary duration monitoring circuit as a mediator between the communication signaling and the repeater's communication providing function. This intermediary component specifically measures signaling duration and triggers disablement when the threshold is exceeded, adding detection capability without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater system is segmented into distinct functional components: the communication receiving circuit, the duration monitoring circuit, and the communication providing circuit. This segmentation allows the monitoring function to be added as a separate module that interfaces with existing components, minimizing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If the repeater disables communication for a second period of time after detecting babble, then communication integrity is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater applies preliminary anti-action by disabling communication signaling immediately when the duration threshold is reached. This preemptive disablement prevents the babble condition from corrupting further communication, protecting communication integrity before harm can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action through the second period of time disablement followed by potential re-enablement. This periodic on-off pattern allows the system to recover from babble conditions and resume normal operation, balancing integrity protection with continued productivity
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an apparatus includes a circuit configured to receive communication on a first bus. The circuit is also configured to provide the communication on a second bus for a first period of time. The circuit is also configured to monitor a duration of the providing of the communication on the second bus. The circuit is also configured to, responsive to the duration exceeding a threshold amount, stop providing the communication on the second bus for a second period of time.