Thunderbolt Interface DisplayPort Splitter Daisy Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ThunderBolt technology limits the ability of an electronic device to use the DisplayPort lane when it is a display screen at the end of a daisy chain, preventing the connection of a display screen with a DisplayPort interface, which complicates user adjustments and usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a DisplayPort splitter within the ThunderBolt interface controller to parse the video stream into two separate streams, allowing the electronic device to transmit the video stream to both the display device and an external device through different paths, thereby overcoming the hardware limitations of the ThunderBolt technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ThunderBolt device uses the DisplayPort lane for itself, then it can display images, but it cannot transmit DisplayPort video streams to external display screens
Solution Approach 1:
The DisplayPort lane is segmented into two separate transmission paths: a first transmission path for transmitting video streams to the display device connected to the ThunderBolt interface, and a second transmission path for transmitting video streams to external DisplayPort devices. This segmentation allows the single DisplayPort lane to serve multiple functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between self-display capability and external device connectivity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a display screen is connected to a ThunderBolt device at the end of a daisy chain, then the daisy chain structure is maintained, but the display screen cannot display images
Solution Approach 1:
The ThunderBolt device acts as an intermediary by incorporating a DisplayPort splitter that receives the DisplayPort lane signal and distributes it to both its internal display device and external DisplayPort devices. This intermediary function allows the ThunderBolt device to maintain the daisy chain structure while simultaneously enabling display functionality for connected screens by splitting and routing the video signal appropriately.
3Device complexity
If the ThunderBolt interface controller directly transmits video streams, then the transmission path is simple, but it cannot support both internal and external DisplayPort connections simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The DisplayPort splitter is nested within the ThunderBolt interface controller, creating a hierarchical structure where the splitter is embedded inside the controller. This nested arrangement allows the controller to maintain overall signal management while the embedded splitter provides additional functionality for signal distribution, enabling multi-device support without significantly increasing external device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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Figure 4
AI summary
An electronic device with a ThunderBolt interface, a connecting method thereof, and a docking apparatus are provided. The electronic device includes a first slot, a second slot, a ThunderBolt interface controller, and a DisplayPort splitter coupled to the ThunderBolt interface controller through a DisplayPort lane. The ThunderBolt interface controller receives a ThunderBolt interface stream through the first slot, parses the ThunderBolt interface stream into a data stream and a video stream, and determines whether an external device is inserted into the second slot. When the ThunderBolt interface controller determines that a transmission type of the external device is a DisplayPort interface and the electronic device needs to use the DisplayPort lane, the DisplayPort splitter parses the video stream into a first and a second stream and transmits the first and the second stream respectively to the electronic device and the external device through a first and a second transmission path.