USB Hub Transaction Translator for Bandwidth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB 2.0 devices sharing a limited upstream bus bandwidth when connected to a hub device, resulting in reduced data transmission speed for each device, while the higher bandwidth of the USB 3.0 bus remains unused.
Innovation Solution
A hub device with sub-hub modules for both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 data formats, a data-format detector, and a transaction translator to dynamically transform data formats between USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, allowing efficient use of the USB 3.0 bus for USB 2.0 devices by converting their data to USB 3.0 format for transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If USB 2.0 slave devices are connected to the hub device through the USB 2.0 sub-hub, then compatibility with USB 2.0 devices is maintained, but the data transmission bandwidth is limited to 480 Mbps and shared among multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transaction translator as an intermediary component between the USB 2.0 sub-hub and the USB 3.0 sub-hub. This translator converts data packets from USB 2.0 format to USB 3.0 format, enabling USB 2.0 slave devices to utilize the higher bandwidth of the USB 3.0 upstream bus while maintaining compatibility with USB 2.0 protocol requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data transmission parameter from USB 2.0 protocol format to USB 3.0 protocol format dynamically. The controller detects the connection status and automatically switches the data transmission path and format, transforming the bandwidth parameter from 480 Mbps (USB 2.0) to 5 Gbps (USB 3.0) for USB 2.0 slave devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple USB 2.0 slave devices are concurrently connected to the hub device, then device connectivity is improved, but the available bandwidth per device decreases due to sharing the USB 2.0 bus
Solution Approach 1:
The transaction translator serves as a mediator that allows multiple USB 2.0 slave devices to simultaneously access the USB 3.0 upstream bus. By translating data packets from multiple USB 2.0 devices into USB 3.0 format, the system enables concurrent high-speed transmission without the bandwidth sharing limitation of the USB 2.0 bus
Solution Approach 2:
The hub device is designed with multi-functionality to support both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 operations simultaneously. The USB 3.0 sub-hub and upstream bus can serve both USB 3.0 native devices and USB 2.0 slave devices through protocol translation, making the high-bandwidth USB 3.0 infrastructure universally accessible
Data Source
AI summary
A hub device includes an upstream port, multiple downstream ports, a first and a second sub-hub module, a data-format detector, a transaction translator, and a controller. The upstream port is coupled to a host device supporting a first and/or a second data format. Each downstream port is coupled to one of a plurality of slave devices supporting a first and/or a second data format. The first sub-hub module supports transmission of data in the first data format. The second sub-hub module supports transmission of data in the second data format. The data-format detector detects the data format supported by the host device and the slave devices. The transaction translator transforms the data format between the first data format and the second data format. The controller determines whether to control the transaction translator to perform data-format transformation.