USB Hub Control Chip with Memory Access Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Most notebook computers have a limited number of connection ports, making it difficult for users to connect all their peripheral devices simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A hub device with an upstream-facing port, downstream-facing ports, and a control chip that facilitates communication between a host device and peripheral devices, incorporating a memory and processing circuits to manage data transmission and storage efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hub device is used to expand connection ports, then the number of connectable peripheral devices is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like memory and control chips
Solution Approach 1:
The hub device serves as an intermediary between the host device and multiple peripheral devices. The control chip acts as a mediator that manages communication and data flow between the upstream-facing port connected to the host and downstream-facing ports connected to peripherals. This intermediary structure enables port expansion while centralizing control logic to manage the increased complexity systematically.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: it provides port expansion, includes internal memory for data buffering and storage, and incorporates a control chip for managing multiple peripheral connections. This multi-functional design allows the device to handle various peripheral types and communication protocols through a unified interface, improving versatility while consolidating complexity into dedicated functional blocks.
2Productivity
If internal memory is added to the hub device, then data management capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the memory component with the control chip into an integrated assembly within the hub device. The memory is coupled to the control chip, allowing them to function as a unified data management subsystem. This merging approach enables enhanced data management capability while reducing the number of separate components that need to be individually managed during manufacturing, thereby mitigating the increase in manufacturing difficulty.
3Productivity
If multiple processing circuits are used for peripheral communication, then communication efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control chip is divided into multiple processing circuits, each dedicated to handling specific peripheral communication tasks. The first processing circuit manages communication between the host device and peripheral devices, while the second processing circuit handles memory access operations. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different data streams, improving communication efficiency while organizing complexity into distinct, manageable functional units within the control chip.
Data Source
AI summary
A hub device is provided. An upstream-facing port (UFP) is coupled to a host device. A downstream-facing port (DFP) is coupled to a peripheral device. A control chip is coupled to the UFP, the DFP, and a memory, and includes a first transceiver interface, a second transceiver interface, a first processing circuit, and a second processing circuit. The first transceiver interface is coupled to the UFP. The second transceiver interface is coupled to the DFP. The first processing circuit is coupled to the first and second transceiver interfaces so that the host device communicates with the peripheral device. The second processing circuit is coupled between the first processing circuit and the memory. In response to the first processing circuit receiving an access command from the host device via the first transceiver interface, the first processing circuit triggers the second processing circuit to access the memory.