USB PD Controller Sharing for Multi-Port Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and inefficiency of having multiple USB Power Delivery (PD) controllers in computing devices, as each port typically requires a separate PD controller to manage power delivery, leading to increased expenses and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system where a single USB PD controller is shared among multiple ports, utilizing port capabilities and messages defined by the USB Power Delivery Specification to enable any port to charge peripheral devices, with the PD controller rotating between ports to determine which has a connected device requesting power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each USB port is equipped with a separate USB Power Delivery controller to manage power delivery independently, then power management reliability and port functionality are improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single USB PD controller is designed to serve multiple USB ports universally. The controller can dynamically switch between ports and handle power delivery negotiations for different ports, making one controller perform the function of multiple dedicated controllers. This reduces the total number of controllers while maintaining power management capability across all ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple port management functions into a single USB PD controller. Instead of having separate controllers for each port, the controller is merged to handle power delivery negotiations, capability exchanges, and power transactions for multiple ports through a unified architecture, reducing component count and system complexity.
2Device complexity
If a single USB Power Delivery controller is shared among multiple ports to reduce cost and complexity, then device cost and simplicity are improved, but power delivery negotiation efficiency and response time may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The USB PD controller employs dynamic port switching capability, allowing it to rapidly transition between different USB ports based on connection detection and power delivery requests. This dynamic behavior enables the single controller to efficiently serve multiple ports without significant performance degradation, as it can focus its negotiation efforts on one active port at a time while quickly adapting to port changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements periodic polling and capability exchange mechanisms with connected devices. By using structured negotiation sequences defined in the USB PD specification, the controller systematically manages power delivery requests across ports through periodic capability exchanges, ensuring efficient power allocation despite serving multiple ports sequentially.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple USB PD controllers are used to support simultaneous power delivery to multiple ports, then power delivery capability and user convenience are improved, but manufacturing cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single USB PD controller is designed with universal port compatibility, allowing it to provide power delivery services to any USB port in the system. The controller can be configured to work with different port types and can dynamically allocate power resources across multiple ports, achieving multi-port charging capability without requiring multiple dedicated controllers for each port.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the USB PD specification's defined capability exchange and negotiation protocols as a template that the single controller follows when interacting with different ports. By copying and adapting the standardized negotiation sequence for each port connection, the controller achieves versatile multi-port support while maintaining a unified, cost-effective architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for sharing a power delivery controller is described herein. The system includes a plurality of ports and a power delivery controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of ports. The power delivery controller is to send a first message to a particular port of the plurality of ports and remain connected to the particular port and enable power delivery to the particular port in response to a particular return message from the port.