Tri-State Buffer USB Port Disablement Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information handling systems, such as servers, face limitations in disabling individual USB ports, as existing chipsets can only disable all ports or pairs in descending order, leading to inefficiencies in board real estate and power consumption when using internal USB hubs to manage port enablement/disablement.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a host computer system with dual tri-state buffers connected to the serial communication bus lines, allowing for individual port disablement by sinking current on the USB+ and USB− lines, effectively masking the presence of connected devices to the host controller, thereby enabling selective port disablement without the need for additional hardware like USB hubs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a USB hub is implemented to disable individual USB ports, then port selectivity is improved, but board real estate consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of port disablement from the USB hub and implements it directly at the host controller level using tri-state buffers. This removes the need for the separate USB hub component, achieving individual port selectivity without the board space overhead of an additional hub device.
Solution Approach 2:
The tri-state buffer circuit performs multiple functions: it enables individual port disablement, maintains signal integrity for enabled ports, and eliminates the need for separate USB hub hardware. This multi-functional approach achieves port selectivity without requiring dedicated hub infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a USB hub is implemented to disable individual USB ports, then port selectivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the disablement function from the power-consuming USB hub and implements it through simple tri-state buffers controlled by GPIO signals. This eliminates the need for the hub's power management circuitry and associated power consumption while maintaining individual port control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution replaces the complex, power-intensive USB hub with simple tri-state buffers that consume minimal power. These buffers act as lightweight, low-power components that achieve the same port selectivity function without the ongoing power burden of a dedicated hub.
3Device complexity
If chipset port disablement is used, then device complexity is reduced, but port selectivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the USB bus into individually controllable ports by inserting tri-state buffers between the host controller and each port. This segmentation enables independent control of each port while maintaining the overall simplicity of the chipset architecture, overcoming the all-or-nothing disablement limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tri-state buffer acts as an intermediary component between the host controller and individual USB ports. It mediates the control signal from the chipset, allowing selective activation or deactivation of specific ports while preserving the simplicity of the underlying chipset design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple USB hubs are implemented, then port management flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the port management function from multiple USB hubs and implements it directly in the host controller with tri-state buffers. This eliminates the complex multi-hub architecture while maintaining the flexibility to manage individual ports independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding USB hubs to achieve port management flexibility (adding complexity), the invention inverts the approach by implementing the flexibility directly at the host controller level. This removes the need for intermediate hub devices and simplifies the overall hardware architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient and power-effective disablement of individual USB ports, reducing board space requirements and avoiding issues related to multiple hub implementations, while maintaining signal integrity and enabling remote management of port enablement/disablement without affecting system performance.
Implementation Method 1
enabling a first tri-state buffer to sink current on serial communication bus+ line and enabling a second tri-state buffer to sink current on serial communication bus− line
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system (IHS) includes a host computer with a downstream facing host computer serial communication bus port and a serial communication bus host controller, wherein the controller is configured to detect a serial communication bus device connected to the downstream facing host computer serial communication bus port, wherein the serial communication bus device has a pull-up resistor. The IHS further includes a circuit disposed between the serial communication bus host controller and the downstream facing host computer serial communication bus port, the circuit configured to disable the downstream facing host computer serial communication bus port and comprising at least one tri-state buffer.