Low Power USB 2.0 Subsystem with Dual Regulator Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB 2.0 physical interface subsystems lack the ability to operate independently from a battery or external power supply, often requiring additional external hardware and not efficiently managing power consumption across different modes.
Innovation Solution
A USB 2.0 physical interface subsystem that utilizes two independent high-voltage external supplies, with a regulator module generating multiple output voltages and including a standby and active regulator, allowing seamless switching between low power, intermediate, and high power modes, and enabling controlled power consumption through selective activation of regulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional external hardware is added to support USB protocol extensions, then functionality is improved, but board area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple USB protocol extension functions (OTG, battery charger, No Dead Battery) into a single integrated subsystem that operates independently. This merging eliminates the need for separate external hardware components, thereby reducing board area while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB subsystem is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - supporting OTG communication, battery charging, and power transfer without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function. This multi-functionality approach reduces the overall hardware footprint on the board.
2Reliability
If regulators are continuously powered on to ensure immediate power supply, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where regulators are switched between active and standby states based on operational requirements. The first regulator remains active for essential functions while the second regulator is activated only when additional power is needed, optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically activates regulators based on power demands rather than keeping them continuously on. The standby regulator can be quickly activated when needed, providing periodic power supply support that reduces average power consumption while maintaining system reliability.
3Power
If USB devices draw maximum power continuously, then performance is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of power delivery parameters based on operational needs. The system can switch between different power modes (low power, intermediate, high power) by activating different regulator configurations, allowing maximum power delivery when needed while conserving battery life during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
USB physical interface subsystems are provided that include a protection circuit including a power supply interface and a plurality of pin interfaces, a pin identifier circuit in communication with the protection circuit for detecting a device coupling to a pin connected to one pin interface of the plurality of pin interfaces, a USB physical interface, and a dual power supply regulator configured to receive power via the power supply interface, to continuously supply a first voltage to the protection circuit, and to provide a second voltage and a third voltage to the pin identifier circuit and the USB physical interface, the second voltage and the third voltage being switched outputs.