Multi-protocol Storage Bridge with Dynamic Protocol Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems require multiple interfaces and protocols to accommodate various types of storage devices, which is impractical and inefficient, especially when dealing with both slower legacy SD cards and faster UFS or UHS-II cards.
Innovation Solution
A bridge system with a controller, switching system, and bi-directional converter that determines the storage device protocol and configures the connection to either convert data between protocols or bypass the converter, allowing a single interface to communicate with both slower and faster devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interfaces are provided to support different protocols and topologies for communicating with various storage devices, then compatibility with various storage devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal bridge device that can operate in multiple modes (SD mode, UFS mode, UHS-II mode) to communicate with different storage device protocols through a single interface. The bridge includes a controller that can function as different types of storage devices depending on what is connected, and a switching system that routes data appropriately between different protocol modes, eliminating the need for multiple separate interfaces in the host device.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge device serves as an intermediary between the host device and various storage devices. It translates and adapts communication protocols, converting between SD, UFS, and UHS-II protocols as needed. The switching system acts as a mediator that routes data packets appropriately based on the active protocol mode, allowing the host to communicate with any storage device type through a single unified interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is performed through a bi-directional converter, then compatibility with different storage device protocols is improved, but data transfer speed may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge implements dynamic protocol switching where the controller can change operational modes (SD, UFS, UHS-II) based on what storage device is detected. The switching system dynamically routes data through appropriate protocol conversion paths only when necessary. When a UFS or UHS-II device is detected, the bridge operates in native mode without conversion overhead, maintaining high-speed data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge changes operational parameters (protocol mode, data routing path) based on the detected storage device type. When a legacy SD card is detected, it activates SD protocol mode with bi-directional conversion. When UFS or UHS-II devices are detected, it switches to native high-speed modes, adjusting data transfer parameters to optimize speed for each device type.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bridge includes a host interface via which data/commands are received from and transferred to a host, and a storage device interface via which data/commands are received from and transferred to a storage device. The bridge also includes one SDPC, a controller and a switching system that is configurable by the controller to connect the protocol converter to the host interface and the storage device interface if the storage device protocol used by the host device differs from the storage device protocol used by the storage device, and to connect the host device interface to the storage device interface, not via the bi¬ directional protocol converter, if the two storage device protocols are the same. The bridge may include two SDPCs, each for converting a different protocol to the host protocol and vice versa, with the switching system being configurable to switch between the two SDPCs. The bridge may omit the SDPC altogether, with the switching system being configurable to switch between connecting (1) the host device interface to the storage device interface, and (2) bypassing the storage device interface.