USB-UART Data Diverting for Multi-Baud Serial Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB to UART converters face issues with data accuracy due to unknown Baud rates, leading to inconsistent conversion of serial data, and existing monitoring systems fail to effectively manage multiple Baud rates for data monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a USB unit, multiple UART controllers, a data buffer, and a data diverting unit that allows for direct data diversion through UART ports, enabling separate Baud rate management for host and data monitoring devices, incorporating additional data, and providing a virtual COM port for seamless data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional USB to UART converter is used for data transmission, then data can be transmitted between host electronic device and electronic device, but data monitoring cannot be conducted accurately when Baud rate is unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the USB to UART converter into multiple functional modules: a first USB to UART converter for data transmission and a second USB to UART converter for data monitoring. This segmentation allows each converter to be independently configured with appropriate Baud rates, resolving the contradiction between monitoring accuracy and Baud rate compatibility. The first converter handles main data transmission while the second converter specifically monitors data at known Baud rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a USB hub as an intermediary component that connects both the first USB to UART converter and the second USB to UART converter to the host electronic device. This intermediary structure enables the system to maintain multiple conversion channels with different Baud rate configurations, allowing accurate monitoring without compromising transmission versatility.
2Reliability
If a monitoring system with two USB-RS232 converters is used, then data monitoring can be conducted, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the USB hub serve multiple functions: it acts as a connection interface for the first USB to UART converter, connects the second USB to UART converter for monitoring, and provides power management for both converters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby maintaining reliability while controlling system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the data transmission and data monitoring functions into a single integrated system through the USB hub. Instead of using completely separate systems, the monitoring functionality is merged with the transmission functionality, sharing common power supply and control resources, which simplifies the overall system structure while ensuring reliable monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If separate USB to UART converters are used for transmission and monitoring, then accurate monitoring is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the second USB to UART converter monitors the data transmission and provides feedback information about data integrity and Baud rate synchronization to the host electronic device. This feedback loop ensures accurate monitoring while allowing the system to automatically adjust configurations, reducing the complexity of manual setup and maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A device capable of directly diverting data through UART port is disclosed. The device can be made to be an integrated circuit (IC) chip, so as to be disposed on a circuit board with a USB connector and three UART connectors, thereby forming a USB to UART converter. When using the USB to UART converter, the USB connector is connected to a host computer, and one UART connector is connected to an electronic device. As such, the device provides the host computer with one virtual COM port, such that the host computer is able to conduct a data transmission with the electronic device through the virtual COM port. Moreover, during the data transmission, a data monitoring electronic device is able to hear the transmitted data by way of diverting the transmitted data through the other two UART connectors.