USB Repeater Babble Detection Without Extra Reset Pins
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB repeaters face challenges in detecting and resolving babble conditions, particularly when a device continues signaling beyond the specified packet duration, leading to communication disruptions due to occupied signaling lines, and require additional pins for non-standard reset mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A repeater circuitry is designed to monitor data transmission duration, detecting babble conditions by disabling itself when the duration exceeds a threshold, thereby preventing further data transmission and allowing devices to reset, without the need for additional pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a USB repeater continuously monitors and disables itself upon detecting babble conditions, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring circuits and logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the babble detection function with the existing repeater circuitry by utilizing the same signaling lines and integrated logic circuits. The detection mechanism is merged into the existing USB protocol handling, allowing the repeater to monitor packet durations and detect babble conditions without adding separate dedicated detection hardware, thus improving reliability while minimizing complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by autonomously monitoring its own operation and automatically disabling itself when babble conditions are detected. The circuit uses internal timing mechanisms and logic to detect excessive packet durations and trigger self-disabling, eliminating the need for external intervention or additional control pins, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
2Ease of operation
If additional pins are added for non-standard reset mechanisms, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and hardware requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing USB signaling lines perform multiple functions: they are used for both normal data communication and for detecting babble conditions. The same D+ and D- lines that carry USB data packets are also used to monitor packet duration and detect continuous signaling, eliminating the need for dedicated reset pins or additional control lines, thus maintaining ease of operation without increasing hardware requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces logic circuits and timing mechanisms that act as intermediaries between the USB signaling lines and the repeater control. These intermediary circuits interpret the signaling patterns and translate them into control signals for the repeater, allowing the system to detect babble conditions and perform resets using existing USB protocol mechanisms without requiring additional pins or direct hardware modifications
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an apparatus includes a circuit configured to receive communication on a first bus. The circuit is also configured to provide the communication on a second bus for a first period of time. The circuit is also configured to monitor a duration of the providing of the communication on the second bus. The circuit is also configured to, responsive to the duration exceeding a threshold amount, stop providing the communication on the second bus for a second period of time.