USB Type-C Power Management via CC Terminal Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing power management systems, the input/output circuit board cannot adjust its power state in response to changes in the motherboard's power state, leading to inefficient power utilization and waste.
Innovation Solution
A power management system comprising a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a USB type-C compatible connection cable, where the first circuit board transmits a signal through a configuration channel terminal to the second circuit board, allowing the second circuit board to adjust its power state accordingly, and vice versa, enabling synchronized power state changes between the two boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the input/output circuit board operates independently without receiving power state information from the motherboard, then the input/output circuit board maintains operational simplicity and independence, but power utilization efficiency deteriorates and power waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the motherboard (first circuit board) transmits power state information to the input/output circuit board (second circuit board) through the CC terminal of the USB type-C connection cable. The second circuit board receives this feedback signal and adjusts its power state accordingly, ensuring that power consumption is optimized based on the actual power state of the motherboard, thus resolving the contradiction between operational independence and power efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The CC terminal of the USB type-C connection cable is utilized for multiple purposes: it serves both as a communication channel for transmitting power state information and as part of the power delivery mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain operational simplicity while enabling intelligent power management, thus addressing the contradiction without adding separate dedicated communication hardware
2Device complexity
If the input/output circuit board cannot obtain power state information from the motherboard, then the system structure remains simple, but power utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The CC terminal acts as an intermediary channel that enables power state information transmission between the motherboard and the input/output circuit board. By utilizing this existing communication interface, the patent achieves intelligent power management without introducing complex additional hardware or communication protocols, thus improving power utilization efficiency while maintaining relatively simple system structure
Solution Approach 2:
The USB type-C connection cable's CC terminal is leveraged for dual purposes: power delivery and power state information communication. This universal approach allows the system to achieve sophisticated power management capabilities without adding dedicated communication infrastructure, thereby improving power utilization efficiency while avoiding significant increases in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system including a first circuit board, a second circuit board and a connection cable is provided. The connection cable is compatible with USB type-C specification and connects the first circuit board and the second circuit board. When the first circuit board determines that a first power state of the first circuit board changes, the first circuit board transmits the first signal to the second circuit board through a configuration channel (CC) terminal of the connection cable, the second circuit board changes a second power state of the second circuit board according to the first signal.