USB Power Delivery Clock Signal Control for Low Power Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

USB power-delivery devices consume excessive power by continuously generating a clock signal for dual-role ports before an attach event occurs, leading to increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A USB power-delivery device with a control circuit that stops generating a clock signal for a dual-role port in low power mode until an attach event occurs, then starts generating it after the event, reducing power consumption by disabling the clock signal and analog circuit until the event.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the clock signal for dual-role port is continuously generated before attach event, then the port is ready for operation, but power consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveport readinessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The clock signal generation is made periodic rather than continuous. The clock signal is generated only during specific periods when needed (after attach event) and stopped during low power mode before attach event, reducing power consumption while maintaining port readiness when required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The clock signal generation is made dynamic and adaptive. The control circuit dynamically adjusts the clock signal generation based on the operational state (low power mode vs. normal mode) and attach event status, transitioning between stopped and generated states as appropriate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the clock signal is stopped before attach event, then power consumption is reduced, but the port cannot perform dual-role operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddual-role port functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit performs preliminary detection of the attach event before enabling full dual-role port functionality. The clock signal generation is preliminarily stopped in low power mode, then enabled only after the attach event is detected, ensuring the port is ready for operations only when necessary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit uses feedback from the attach event detection to regulate clock signal generation. When the attach event is detected, the feedback mechanism enables clock signal generation and dual-role operations; when not attached, it maintains stopped state to save power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10635151B2Method and system of universal serial bus power-delivery which stops clock signal generation until attach event occurs

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A USB power-delivery device includes a clock signal generator which stops generation of a clock signal for a dual-role port (DRP) while the USB power-delivery device operates in a low power mode until an attach event occurs, and starts the generation of the clock signal for the DRP after the attach event occurs.