Storage Controller PLC Debugging via Power Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage devices require additional pins or occupation of data pins for monitoring, which is inconvenient and reduces compatibility, as existing methods do not allow for debugging without disassembling the device or compromising interface functionality.
Innovation Solution
A storage control device and method utilizing a Power Line Communication (PLC) module to decode encoded signals on power pins, allowing for monitoring and debugging without occupying data pins, thus maintaining compatibility and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional pins are provided within the storage device for monitoring operational state, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring housing removal
Solution Approach 1:
The power pins are designed to serve dual functions: delivering power to the storage device and transmitting monitoring signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate monitoring pins, allowing users to connect for monitoring without disassembling the device while maintaining power supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the power supply function and monitoring function into a single interface structure. By merging these two functions that were previously separated into different pins, the device achieves simplified operation while maintaining both power delivery and operational state monitoring capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If pins on the original external interface are used for monitoring, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to reduced compatibility with different manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The power pins maintain their original power supply function while adding monitoring capability, ensuring compatibility with existing power interface standards from different manufacturers. This approach allows the device to work with various manufacturers' power sources while enabling monitoring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The power line acts as an intermediary medium that carries both power and encoded monitoring signals simultaneously. This mediator approach allows monitoring signals to be transmitted through the existing power interface without interfering with power delivery or compromising compatibility with different manufacturers' power standards.
3Reliability
If data pins are occupied for monitoring, then monitoring capability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced data transmission capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The power pins perform dual functions of power delivery and monitoring signal transmission, eliminating the need to repurpose data pins for monitoring. This ensures that data transmission channels remain fully available for their primary function while monitoring capability is achieved through the power interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the monitoring function from the data transmission function, assigning monitoring to the power interface while keeping data transmission dedicated to data pins. This functional segmentation prevents interference between monitoring and data operations, maintaining optimal productivity.
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 efficient debugging and monitoring of storage devices without disassembling them, improving convenience and compatibility by using power pins within the existing data transmission interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a power line communication (PLC) module, coupled to at least one of the plurality of power pins, configured to acquire an encoded signal in the power line, to decode the encoded signal from the power line to generate a decode signal
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device includes a power line communication (PLC) circuit and a storage controller. The PLC circuit is coupled to a power line. The storage controller is coupled to the PLC circuit. The storage controller is configured to access a plurality of memory block. The PLC circuit is configured to carry at least one signal outputted from the storage controller on the power line, in order to transmit the at least one signal to an external device such that an operational state of the data storage device can be debugged/monitored.