USB Power Delivery Signal Integrity via Dynamic Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) communication over long cables is affected by noise and random fluctuations in electrical signals, leading to data transmission errors due to ground shifts and transient currents, which can cause voltage differentials and magnetic fields, disrupting communication over the configuration channel line.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where policy managers in power source and sink devices detect data transmission errors and respond by adjusting power consumption or voltage output to mitigate noise, with the power sink device decreasing power consumption and the power source increasing voltage output to reduce current on power supply lines, thereby stabilizing the data and power connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If power is delivered over long USB-PD cables, then power delivery capability is improved, but noise and electrical signal fluctuations increase causing data transmission errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of data transmission errors and proactively adjusts power consumption and voltage levels before errors propagate. Policy managers monitor communication quality and preemptively modify power delivery parameters to prevent transmission failures, rather than reacting after errors occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically changes electrical parameters (power consumption levels, voltage output) based on detected transmission quality. When errors are detected, the system adjusts these parameters to optimal values that eliminate noise and stabilize communication, allowing reliable operation over long cables by adapting to cable characteristics.
2Power
If current is increased on power supply lines to enhance power delivery, then power delivery capability is improved, but noise and magnetic field interference increase disrupting communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts current levels on power supply lines based on real-time communication quality assessment. Rather than maintaining fixed high current for maximum power delivery, the policy managers modulate current to levels that balance power delivery needs with communication stability, reducing magnetic field interference when data transmission is occurring.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback control where data transmission errors serve as feedback signals indicating excessive noise or magnetic field interference. The policy managers use this feedback to adjust power delivery parameters, creating a closed-loop system that automatically optimizes the balance between power delivery and communication reliability.
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 approach effectively reduces or eliminates noise and errors in data transmission over USB-PD connections, ensuring reliable communication by managing power delivery resources and voltage levels to maintain stable signal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
increasing a voltage output of a power source device to decrease a current on at least one power supply line
Implementation Method 2
decreasing power consumption of a power consuming circuit of the power sink device
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of data transfer via a data and power connection includes determining whether a data transmission error is detected via the data and power connection. The method further includes, in response to a determination that a data transmission error is detected via the data and power connection, decreasing current across the data and power connection.