Virtual USB Hub Extending Host-Peripheral Distance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current USB technologies are limited by a maximum device-host computer distance of 5 meters, and existing solutions for extending this distance are either expensive or inflexible, particularly when dealing with multiple peripheral devices and long transmission delays exceeding the USB specification's 1.5 microsecond round-trip delay limit.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a virtual USB hub distributed across a data communications network, connecting a host computer to local and remote extender devices via a single physical connection, allowing for extended distances and handling transmission delays beyond the USB specification's limits without requiring hardware or software changes to existing host computers, hubs, or devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If multiple USB hubs are used to extend distance beyond 5 meters, then the distance between host computer and peripheral device is increased, but the system becomes expensive and clumsy
Solution Approach 1:
A network intermediary device is introduced between the USB host controller and peripheral devices to enable communication over network infrastructure. The host computer connects to the network intermediary via a standard USB port, and the network intermediary distributes USB hub functions across the network to reach distant peripherals without requiring multiple physical USB hubs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical USB hub system with a software-based virtual USB hub implementation running on network intermediary devices. This substitution eliminates the need for physical USB hub hardware at remote locations, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining USB protocol compliance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If USB hub functions are distributed across a network, then flexibility and cost-effectiveness are improved, but transmission delay exceeds the USB specification's 1.5 microsecond limit
Solution Approach 1:
The network intermediary device performs preliminary actions by buffering and pre-processing USB data packets before they are transmitted over the network. This includes queuing outgoing packets and pre-handling incoming packets to minimize actual transmission delay, allowing the system to meet USB timing requirements even over network distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic polling and time-synchronized data transmission between the host computer and network intermediary. By using periodic action, the system can manage network traffic in controlled intervals, ensuring that USB protocol timing requirements are met while still allowing distributed USB hub functionality across the network.
3Ease of operation
If a single physical connection is used to connect host computer to network, then ease of connection is improved, but the ability to support multiple peripheral devices at extended distances is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The network intermediary device provides multi-functionality by implementing virtual USB hub capabilities that can support multiple downstream peripheral devices through a single upstream connection to the host computer. This universal approach allows one network intermediary to replace multiple physical USB hubs, enabling connection to multiple devices at extended distances while maintaining a simple single-connection interface at the host.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and related apparatuses for data transmission between a host computer and one or a plurality of USB compliant peripheral devices over a data communications network is provided which operates in the presence of transmission delays greater than that normally allowed in the USB specification. The host computer is connected to a local extender device which, in turn, is connected to one or a plurality of remote extender devices through the data communications network. The remote extender devices are, in turn, connected to a plurality of conventional USB peripheral devices. Data between the host computer and peripheral devices is stored and processed in the local and remote extender devices in order to allow the host computer and the USB peripheral devices to operate with greater than normally allowed time delays. In particular, the invention is of most utility when the round-trip transmission delay between the host computer and the USB peripheral device exceeds 1 microsecond.