USB Connection Manager for Multi-Port Power Redistribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-port I/O hybrid systems, existing power management systems lack the ability to efficiently distribute and conserve power due to the lack of information about low power states of devices utilizing tunneled protocols, leading to inefficient power distribution and conservation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a USB Connection Manager (CM) to monitor control plane messages for power state transitions across tunneled protocols, such as USB 3.x, DisplayPort, and PCIe, and update a status register to provide this information to the Device Policy Manager (DPM) for informed power distribution and conservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a USB Connection Manager monitors control plane messages for power state transitions, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The USB Connection Manager proactively monitors control plane messages for power state transition commands before they are executed by devices. By detecting these commands in advance (e.g., DisplayPort low power mode commands, PCIe L1.2 sub-state commands), the system can redistribute power to USB devices beforehand, preventing power shortages and improving overall power distribution efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB Connection Manager acts as an intermediary component between the Device Policy Manager and the tunneled protocol devices. It intercepts control plane messages, translates power state information into USB Power Delivery notifications, and enables the DPM to make informed power distribution decisions across hybrid protocols without requiring direct device communication.
2Loss of energy
If power state transition information is monitored across tunneled protocols, then power conservation is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the USB Connection Manager continuously monitors control plane messages for power state transition commands from DisplayPort, PCIe, or other tunneled protocols. When such commands are detected, the Connection Manager notifies the Device Policy Manager, which then adjusts power distribution to USB devices accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system for optimal power conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB Connection Manager is designed to handle multiple protocol types (USB 3.x, DisplayPort, PCIe, and other tunneled protocols) through a unified monitoring approach. By implementing a single multi-functional monitoring mechanism that works across different protocols, the system reduces overall information processing complexity compared to implementing separate monitoring systems for each protocol.
3Measurement precision
If the Device Policy Manager receives real-time power state information, then power distribution accuracy is improved, but system response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The USB Connection Manager detects power state transition commands in control plane messages before they are executed by the target devices. By providing advance notification to the Device Policy Manager about upcoming power state changes (such as DisplayPort entering low power mode or PCIe transitioning to L1.2 sub-state), the system allows the DPM to prepare and execute power redistribution proactively, achieving both accurate power distribution and timely response.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a host controller to implement one or more layers of a Universal Serial Bus (USB)-based protocol to provide an interconnect for a plurality of devices. The host controller is to monitor control plane messages on the interconnect, detect, in the control plane messages, a power state change command for a device coupled to the interconnect, wherein the devices utilizes a tunneled protocol on the interconnect, and modify power distribution for one or more other devices of the interconnect based on detecting the power state change command.