USB Extension Device Multiplexer Suspend State Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB SuperSpeed connections are limited to short distances due to timing and signaling requirements, making it necessary to develop methods for extending USB device connectivity beyond the standard 3-meter limit while maintaining signal integrity and managing idle or suspend states.
Innovation Solution
A USB extension device comprising a port, an extension medium transceiver, and a multiplexer that selectively configures signal transmission over an extension medium, including coupling a data receive differential pair to a null data source during suspend states and enabling transmission over an extension medium transceiver for active signals, ensuring proper signal conversion and maintenance of USB connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a regular copper cable is used for a SuperSpeed USB connection, then the connection can support the 5 Gbps signaling rate, but the cable length is limited to at most 3 meters to properly support the SuperSpeed connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an extension device that acts as an intermediary between the host and USB device. This extension device includes a copper cable port and an extension medium transceiver that converts USB differential signals to signals suitable for transmission over extended copper cable lengths, thereby enabling SuperSpeed connections beyond the standard 3-meter limit while maintaining signal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The extension device changes the electrical parameters of the connection by using a transceiver that converts high-speed differential signals to a format that can be transmitted over longer distances. The transceiver modifies signal characteristics including voltage levels, impedance matching, and signal encoding to enable extended cable lengths while preserving SuperSpeed capability
2Use of energy by moving object
If the host or USB device enters an idle or suspend state, then power consumption is reduced, but the extension device may misinterpret electrical idle signals as data transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The extension device incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the state of the USB connection and adjust its operation accordingly. The transceiver detects whether the host or USB device is in an idle or suspend state and modifies its signal transmission and reception behavior to prevent misinterpretation of electrical idle signals, ensuring reliable state management across the extended connection
Solution Approach 2:
The extension device dynamically adapts its operation based on the connection state. The transceiver can switch between different operational modes (active transmission, idle state handling, suspend state management) to properly manage electrical idle signals and prevent false data transmission detection, thereby maintaining reliability during power-saving states
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
USB extension devices that transmit USB 3.0 differential signaling over an extension medium that supports serial communication are provided. In some embodiments, an electrical idle or suspend is detected from a transmit conductor of a USB host or device, and a corresponding USB extension device is reconfigured to couple a receive conductor of the USB host or device to a null data source instead of an extension medium transceiver. Once the electrical idle or suspend state ceases, the receive conductor of the USB host or device is reconnected to the extension medium transceiver. In some embodiments, a transmit input of the extension medium transceiver is coupled to a null data source upon detection of electrical idle or suspend from the USB host or device.