Voltage Modulation for Power Delivery Capability Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power delivery protocols, such as USB, face inefficiencies in communicating power sourcing capabilities between devices, particularly for inexpensive devices that do not implement USB Power Delivery (PD) due to cost and complexity, limiting power delivery to 5V and 3A without the ability to negotiate higher currents or voltages.
Innovation Solution
A protocol that uses voltage variations within a specified power-sourcing voltage range to communicate power sourcing capabilities, allowing a power-sourcing device to indicate its capabilities by setting voltages and encoding additional information using modulated signals, maintaining compatibility with devices that do not support advanced protocols like USB PD.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If USB Power Delivery (PD) protocol is implemented to negotiate higher power capabilities, then power delivery capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication process into two distinct phases: a simplified initial phase using basic USB protocols to establish connectivity and basic power capabilities, followed by an optional advanced phase using voltage modulation to negotiate higher power capabilities. This segmentation allows devices to operate at different complexity levels depending on their needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic voltage modulation on top of the stable power delivery voltage. The voltage can dynamically vary within a range to encode negotiation data, allowing the system to adapt between simple and complex operation modes based on device capabilities and requirements.
2Productivity
If complex negotiation protocols are used to determine power capabilities, then power delivery efficiency is improved, but communication time and setup delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary power delivery setup using basic USB protocols before attempting any advanced voltage modulation negotiations. This preliminary action establishes a functional power connection quickly, and only then proceeds to more time-consuming capability negotiations if both devices support them.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage modulation for capability negotiation occurs in periodic bursts superimposed on the continuous power delivery voltage. This allows the system to maintain stable power transfer while intermittently exchanging negotiation data, minimizing disruption to the power delivery process.
3Loss of information
If voltage variations are used to encode additional power capability data, then information communication capability is improved, but signal stability and power delivery reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different voltage stability requirements to different parts of the voltage signal. The base power delivery voltage maintains high stability for reliable power transfer, while small, controlled voltage variations are superimposed locally in time and amplitude to encode negotiation data without compromising the overall power delivery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage variations used for encoding are kept within a small portion of the total voltage range, using only partial modulation depth. This ensures that the voltage deviations are sufficient to encode information reliably but small enough to maintain power delivery stability and not trigger over-voltage protection mechanisms.
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
Enables efficient communication of power sourcing capabilities without the need for complex negotiation protocols, allowing for higher power delivery modes like 5V and 5A while maintaining backward compatibility with simpler devices, facilitating rapid charging and increased power delivery for devices like smartphones and tablets.
Implementation Method 1
communicate, using the voltage control circuit, additional power sourcing capabilities using voltage variations on the wire, the voltage variations maintaining voltage on the wire within the power-sourcing voltage range
Data Source
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AI summary
A protocol can specify a power-sourcing voltage range that indicates power sourcing capabilities. Additional power sourcing capabilities can be communicated using voltage variations within the power-sourcing voltage range. A power-sourcing device (102) can provide power to an external power-sinking device (104) over a wired connection containing a plurality of wires (110). A voltage control circuit (106) can be configured to drive a voltage over a wire of the plurality of wires (110). Processing circuitry (108) can communicate, using the voltage control circuit (106), first power-sourcing capabilities to the external power-sinking device (104) by setting the voltage over the wire to a value within the power-sourcing voltage range. The processing circuitry (108) can also communicate, using the voltage control circuit (106), the additional power sourcing capabilities of the power-sourcing device (102) using voltage variations on the wire, the voltage variations maintaining voltage on the wire within the power-sourcing voltage range.