Repeater Power Management via Micro Frame Squelch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed data communication systems, such as those using USB 2.0, face inefficiencies in power consumption due to keeping functional blocks active during the entire length of a micro frame, even when no data packets are present, leading to unnecessary power usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a repeater system with squelch detectors to monitor data traffic and control active components to be inactive during periods when no data packets are present in a micro frame, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-speed functional blocks are kept active during the entire micro frame, then data transmission readiness is maintained, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of high-speed functional blocks synchronized with the USB micro frame structure. The blocks are activated only during specific time windows when data packets may arrive (at the beginning of each micro frame) and deactivated during idle periods. This periodic action maintains data transmission readiness while dramatically reducing power consumption during extended idle periods within each 125-microsecond micro frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operational state of high-speed functional blocks based on real-time detection of data traffic patterns. The system transitions between active and inactive states depending on whether data packets are detected in the current micro frame, making the power consumption adaptive to actual communication needs rather than static.
2Use of energy by moving object
If functional blocks are deactivated during idle periods, then power consumption is reduced, but response time to incoming data packets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent activates high-speed functional blocks in advance at the beginning of each micro frame, before data packets are actually received. This preliminary activation ensures that the blocks are ready to process incoming data immediately when the micro frame starts, minimizing response time. The blocks are deactivated only after the data transmission window closes, balancing quick response with power savings during the remainder of the idle period.
3Measurement precision
If squelch detectors are kept active continuously, then data packet detection is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the squelch detector a universal monitoring component that operates independently of the main high-speed functional blocks. The squelch detector continuously monitors the data bus for packet presence using minimal power, and its detection results control the activation of more power-intensive blocks. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain detection capability while managing overall power consumption effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
High-speed data communication devices, e.g., repeaters, interfacing between a host and a peripheral operate such that high-speed components except for a host-side squelch detector are set or maintained in a deactivated state during an idle period of a micro frame. In an example, a start of a micro frame is detected on a data bus during a first time period. In a second time period after the first time period, the high-speed communication device determines whether at least one data packet is contained in the micro frame. When it is determined during the second time period that no data packet is contained in the micro frame, active components, except a squelch detector, are controlled to be inactive during a third time period after the second time period.