USB Data Interface Power Delivery Signal Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current USB data interfaces, such as USB Power Delivery Specification, face challenges in efficiently transmitting higher power levels due to increased power dissipation and complexity, particularly with multiplexing power delivery data, which can lead to electromagnetic interference and higher costs.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting a signal between communication pins of USB data interfaces to provide information about power transmission, allowing for adaptive power delivery without the need for extensive filtering, thereby reducing resistance and energy dissipation, and enabling higher power transmission capabilities up to 100 W.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If power delivery data is multiplexed into the VBUS line using frequency shift keying, then power transmission information can be communicated, but power dissipation in the VBUS line increases and charging performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower delivery data transmissionVSAvoidpower dissipation in VBUS line

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the data transmission function from the power transmission function by using dedicated communication pins (D+, D-) instead of multiplexing data onto the power supply VBUS line. This segmentation allows power delivery data to be communicated through the data interface while keeping the VBUS line dedicated to power transmission, thereby eliminating the power dissipation issue caused by signal multiplexing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the data interface pins (D+, D-) as an intermediary channel for transmitting power delivery data. Instead of directly modulating the VBUS power line, the communication occurs through the separate data communication path, which acts as a mediator between the power provider and power consumer for negotiating power parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If low pass filtering is applied on both power provider and power consumer sides of the VBUS line, then multiplexed communication signals can be filtered, but cost, complexity, size and resistance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal filtering capabilityVSAvoidfiltering components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data communication function from the power supply line (VBUS) and relocates it to the dedicated data interface pins (D+, D-). This extraction eliminates the need for low pass filtering components on the VBUS line, as the data signals are transmitted through a separate channel that does not require power line filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using the power supply line for data communication and filtering it accordingly, the patent inverts the approach by using the data interface line for communication and keeping the power line purely for power transmission. This inversion eliminates the complexity of filtering while maintaining both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of information

If filtering coils are added to the VBUS line for signal filtering, then communication signals can be separated from power signals, but electromagnetic interference susceptibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal separationVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the data interface pins (D+, D-) as an intermediary channel for data communication, completely separating the data signal path from the power signal path. This eliminates the need for filtering coils on the VBUS line, thereby removing the source of electromagnetic interference that filtering coils would introduce while still achieving complete signal separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Power

If USB Power Delivery Specification multiplexing is used, then charging power can be extended to 100 W, but power dissipation increases and charging performance from DCP chargers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging power capabilityVSAvoidpower dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication function from the power transmission function, allowing high power (up to 100 W) to be transmitted through VBUS while negotiation and control signals are transmitted separately through the data interface. This prevents the power dissipation issues that arise from multiplexing communication signals onto the high-power VBUS line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10078362B2Power delivery information over data interface

Publication Date: 2018.09.18 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

It is inter alia disclosed to transmit a signal between a communication pin (112) of a first data interface (110) of the apparatus (103) and a second data interface (120) of the apparatus, wherein the signal at least provides information related to a power transmission between a power supply pin (111) of the first data interface (110) and a power supply pin (121) of the second data interface (120), wherein the first data interface (110) is configured for a connection with a first apparatus (101) and the second data interface (120) is configured for a connection with a second apparatus (102).