Switchable Controller Extension Device for High-Bandwidth Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional extension devices for portable computing devices suffer from degraded connection throughput and quality due to competition among peripheral devices, inherent physical imperfections, and the need for software drivers, which affects high-bandwidth connections and adds complexity.
Innovation Solution
An extension device with a switchable controller that moves from being coupled to a hub to a secondary bus when a connection is detected, isolating high-bandwidth connections and eliminating the need for software drivers by directly connecting to the computer via a second bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hub is used to connect multiple peripheral devices, then the number of connection ports is increased, but the connection throughput is degraded due to competition between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The extension device is divided into separate functional paths: a first bus for general peripheral connections and a second bus for high-bandwidth connections. The controller can be switchably coupled to either the hub (first bus) or directly to the computer via the second bus, segmenting the data transmission paths to prevent competition between different types of devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that can route high-bandwidth traffic directly to the computer bypassing the hub. When connected to a high-bandwidth device, the controller switches to connect directly to the computer via the second bus, eliminating the hub as an intermediary and its associated bottlenecks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hub is used to connect peripheral devices, then additional connection ports are provided, but connection quality is degraded due to physical imperfections and impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The high-bandwidth connection path is extracted from the hub by providing a separate second bus that connects directly to the computer. This removes the hub from the critical high-bandwidth path, eliminating its inherent physical imperfections and impedance issues that degrade connection quality.
3Ease of operation
If an addressable controller is used to maintain connection, then connection management is enabled, but software driver requirements add complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The extension device automatically detects connection types and switches the controller accordingly without requiring software drivers on the computer. The hardware-based switching mechanism self-manages the connection configuration, eliminating the need for complex software driver installation and maintenance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the controller is always coupled to the hub, then peripheral device connections are maintained, but high-bandwidth connections are interfered with by other peripherals
Solution Approach 1:
The controller's connection configuration is dynamic rather than static. It can switch between being coupled to the hub (for general peripheral connections) and being coupled directly to the computer via the second bus (for high-bandwidth connections), adapting its state based on the connected device requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An extension device for connecting one or more peripheral devices to a computer, comprising a first bus for connecting to the computer; a second bus for connecting to the computer; a hub coupled to the first bus for connecting the computer to one or more peripheral devices; a controller for connecting the computer to a high-bandwidth device, the controller being switchably coupled to the hub and the second bus; and a switch for switching the controller, from being coupled to the hub, to being coupled to the second bus, when a connection to the computer is detected on the second bus.