CN116053867A

CN116053867A - Communication connector and device

Info

Publication number: CN116053867A
Application number: CN202111266236.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 韩浩; 刘晓国; 刘涵
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-28
Filing date: 2021-10-28
Publication date: 2023-05-02

Abstract

The application discloses a communication connector and a device. The communication connector comprises at least one pair of first pins, and channels corresponding to the at least one pair of first pins are used for transmitting display interface DP data; at least one pair of second pins, wherein channels corresponding to the at least one pair of second pins are shared channels for transmitting first USB data and second USB data, and communication protocols of the first USB data transmission and the second USB data transmission are different; at least one third pin for determining an insertion direction and a transmission mode; and the switching circuit is used for switching on a data channel between the at least one pair of first pins and the DP processing unit and/or switching on a data channel between the at least one pair of second pins and the USB processing unit according to the insertion direction and the transmission mode.

Description

Communication connector and device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a communications connector and a device.

Background

The USB Type-C interface (USB Type-C interface; the English abbreviation of USB is universal serial bus, namely universal serial bus) is a USB interface standard issued by the USB-IF organization, C is the version number of the interface physical form, and C is an upgrade version relative to USB Type-A and USB Type-B. Wherein A, B, C are defined with respect to the physical form of the interface. The main function of the port A is as a downlink port of data and power supply, namely, equipment with a port A master seat belongs to power supply equipment from the power supply perspective and belongs to main equipment (Host) from the data transmission perspective. The port B belongs to a power consumer, and the data transmission belongs to slave equipment (slave). From the power Source perspective, the Type-C interface can be used for power supply end equipment (Source, SRC for short) and electric equipment (sink, SNK for short) in the Type-C; from a data transmission perspective, the Type-C interface may be used for both the master, i.e., as a downstream port (down stream face port, DFP), and the slave, i.e., as an upstream port (up stream face port, UPF).

Currently, the data transmission bandwidth of a Type-C interface is limited in some scenes (such as virtual reality scenes) requiring high-rate data transmission and high-resolution display.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a communication connector and a device for improving data transmission bandwidth.

In a first aspect, there is provided a communication connector comprising:

at least one pair of first pins, channels corresponding to the at least one pair of first pins being used for transmitting display interface (DP) data;

at least one pair of second pins, wherein channels corresponding to the at least one pair of second pins are shared channels for transmitting first USB data and second USB data, and communication protocols of the first USB data transmission and the second USB data transmission are different;

at least one third pin for determining an insertion direction and a transmission mode;

and the switching circuit is used for switching on a data channel between the at least one pair of first pins and the DP processing unit and/or switching on a data channel between the at least one pair of second pins and the USB processing unit according to the insertion direction and the transmission mode.

Optionally, the rate of the first USB data transfer is higher than the rate of the second USB data transfer. For example, the first USB data transmission is a USB3 data transmission, and the second USB data transmission is a USB2 data transmission.

In the implementation manner, the first pin is used for DP data transmission, and the second pin is used for USB data transmission (including the first USB data transmission and the second USB data transmission), so that the DP data transmission and the USB data transmission use different pins, and decoupling of the DP channel and the USB channel is achieved, thereby improving the data transmission bandwidth. For example, in the DP alternate mode, all DP channels may be used for DP data transmission, and the transmission of control signaling and sensor data may be through the USB channel, so that the requirements of display resolution and bidirectional high-speed data transmission may be satisfied.

In one possible implementation manner, the switching circuit is specifically configured to: if the DP alternate transmission mode is determined, a data channel between the at least one pair of first pins and the DP processing unit is connected according to the insertion direction, and a data channel between the at least one pair of second pins and the first USB processing unit is connected, wherein the first USB processing unit is used for processing the first USB data.

Optionally, the third pin may also be used to transmit configuration information; the switch circuit is further configured to determine a transmission mode (e.g., determine a DP alternate transmission mode) based on the configuration information.

In the above implementation manner, in the DP alternating mode, according to the insertion direction, the data channel between the first pin and the DP processing unit may be turned on for transmitting DP data, and the data channel between the pin for USB data transmission (for example, the pin for USB3 data transmission) and the USB processing unit may be turned on for transmitting control signaling and sensor data, so as to improve the data transmission bandwidth.

In one possible implementation, the switching circuit includes: a USB mode change-over switch, a transmission direction switch, and a DP alternate mode change-over switch; the USB change-over switch is used for switching on a data transmission channel between the second pin and the transmission direction switch if the first USB data transmission is determined; if the second USB data transmission is determined, a data transmission channel between the second pin and the second USB processing unit is connected; the transmission direction switch is used for switching on a data channel between the transmission direction switch and a receiving port of the first USB processing unit or switching on a data channel between the transmission direction switch and a transmitting port of the first USB processing unit according to the insertion direction; the DP alternate mode change-over switch is used for switching on a data channel between the first pin and the DP processing unit according to the insertion direction in the DP alternate mode.

In a possible implementation manner, the third pin is further used for determining an operation mode; the switching circuit further comprises a mode switching switch; the mode change-over switch is used for switching on a data channel between the USB port of the DP alternating mode change-over switch and the second USB processing unit if the first working mode is determined; and if the second working mode is determined, a data channel between the transmission direction switch and the second USB processing unit is connected. The first working mode refers to a working mode that different channels are respectively used for DP data transmission and USB data transmission, and the second working mode refers to a traditional working mode, namely a working mode that the DP data transmission and USB3 data transmission share a channel. Compatibility with conventional communication connectors may be achieved by a mode switch.

In one possible implementation, the communication connector includes four pairs of the first pins.

In one possible implementation, the socket of the communication connector includes two pairs of the second pins therein; the plug of the communication connector comprises a pair of second pins and a pair of fourth pins, and channels corresponding to the fourth pins are used for transmitting the first USB data.

In one possible implementation, the socket of the communication connector includes 2 third pins, and the plug of the communication connector includes 1 third pin.

In a possible implementation, the communication connector further includes at least one extension pin for transmitting an auxiliary signal.

In one possible implementation, the first USB data transfer comprises a USB3 data transfer and the second USB data transfer comprises a USB2 data transfer.

In one possible implementation, the communication connector is a USB type-C connector.

In a second aspect, there is provided a communication device comprising a communication connector according to any of the first aspects.

The advantages of the second aspect are described above, and detailed description is omitted.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a conventional USB Type-C receptacle;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a conventional USB Type-C plug;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a USB Type-C receptacle provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a USB Type-C plug provided by an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a Type-C interface forward and backward insertion detection circuit provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6a and 6b are schematic diagrams illustrating data channels of a communication connector during forward insertion and reverse insertion in a DP only transmission (DP only) mode according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 7a and 7b schematically illustrate data path diagrams of a communication connector in a DP alternate MODE (DP ALT MODE) with forward and reverse insertion;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the structure of a switch circuit in the communication connector according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9a and 9b are schematic diagrams illustrating connection states of a switch circuit in a Type-C interface when a DP alternate mode is adopted in the second operation mode in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10a and fig. 10b are schematic diagrams illustrating connection states of the switch circuit in the Type-C interface when the DP alternate mode is adopted in the first operation mode in the embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

For the purpose of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, the present application will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following, some terms in the embodiments of the present application are explained for easy understanding by those skilled in the art.

(1) A communication connector.

A communication connector is one type of connector. Connectors are also known as connectors, plugs or sockets. Generally refers to an electrical connector, i.e., a device that connects two active devices for the transmission of electrical current or signals.

The connector forms and structures are varied, and there are various types of connectors according to the application objects, frequencies, power, application environments, and the like. The communication connector according to the embodiments of the present application is an electrical connection device in the form of multiple pins, such as a USB Type-C connector (i.e., USB Type-C connector, or USB Type-C interface) or an evolution thereof. The full-function USB Type-C interface may support transmission protocols such as USB2 and USB3, and the evolution form of the Type-C interface may support transmission protocols of USB 4.

Hereinafter, the communication connector will be described by taking an USB Type-C interface (or Type-C interface for short) as an example.

(2) Type-C device role.

In Type-C, based on the direction of data transmission, the device roles may include the following three types:

a) Downstream port (downstream facing port, DFP):

downstream ports, which can be understood as either a Host device (Host) or HUB, the DFP provides V _BUS 、V _CONN Data may be received. In the protocol specification, DFP refers to downlink transmission of data, which is a device for downlink data and external power supply.

b) Upstream ports (upstream facing port, UFP).

Upstream port, which can be understood as a Device (Device), UFP is connected to the Device from V _BUS And can provide data. Typical UFP devices such as a usb disk, a removable hard disk, etc.

c) Dual Role Port (DRP).

DRPs can be divided into DRD (Dual Role Data) and DRP (Dual Role Power). The dual-role port can be used as a DFP (Host), a UFP (Device), or a dynamic switch between the DFP and the UFP. Typical DRP devices are, for example, portable computers. Which role the device just connected to is, is determined by the power role (power role) of the port, and can be changed later by a switching process (if USB PD protocol is supported, where PD is an acronym of power release, i.e., fast charging).

(3) Type-C power role (power role).

According to the power supply (or power receiving) condition of the USB interface, the USB Type-C divides the interface into Source, SINK and other power roles. The power role (power role) can be divided into:

a)Source Only；

b) Default Source, but occasionally able to switch to SINK mode by fast charge switching (PD SWAP);

c)SINK Only；

d) Default SINK, but occasionally able to switch to Source mode by PD SWAP;

e) Source/SINK rotation;

f) Sourcing Device (Device capable of powering such as a display);

g) Linking Host (powered Host, such as a notebook computer).

(4) DP interface and DP data.

A display interface (DP interface) is an image display interface that can support not only full-high-definition display resolution (such as 1920×1080) but also 4k resolution (3840×2160) and 8k resolution (7680×4320). The DP interface has high transmission rate and reliability and stability, and the signals transmitted by the interface are composed of data Channel signals for transmitting images and auxiliary Channel signals for transmitting status and control information related to the images, and specifically comprises a DP data transmission Main Channel (Main Link), an auxiliary Channel (AUX Channel) and a connection (Link Training).

The auxiliary Channel (AUX Channel) is used as an independent bidirectional transmission auxiliary Channel in the DP interface, adopts an alternating-current coupling differential transmission mode, and is a bidirectional half-duplex transmission Channel for transmitting setting and control instructions.

The purpose of AUX (Auxiliary) includes reading Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) to ensure proper transmission of DP data; reading information of the DP interface supported by the display, such as the number of main channels and the transmission rate of the DP signal; setting various display configuration registers; the display status register is read.

(5) USB transport protocol.

The currently used USB transmission protocols include USB2.0, USB3.0, and USB3.1, and different transmission standards correspond to different transmission speeds, so that the transmission speed of USB3.1 is higher than that of USB3.0 and USB2.0. The higher transmission speed of the USB2.0 can reach 480Mbit/s, the higher transmission speed of the USB3.0 can reach 5Gbit/s, and the higher transmission speed of the USB3.1 can reach 10Gbit/s.

The Type-C interface includes a Type-C receptacle (also known as a receptacle interface or female header) and a Type-C plug (also known as a plug interface or male header). Fig. 1 shows a conventional Type-C receptacle configuration, and fig. 2 shows a conventional Type-C plug configuration.

Referring to fig. 1, a front view of a conventional Type-C socket is shown illustrating pins (pins) defined in the Type-C socket. As shown, the Type-C receptacle includes 2 rows of 24 pins, one row of which is identified as A1 through A12 and the other row of which is identified as B1 through B12. Each pin corresponds to a respective channel (lane), such as d+ and D-corresponding to a USB2 data transmission channel. The 24 pins are respectively:

4 power supply pins V _BUS A4, A9, B4, B9 as shown in the figure;

4 ground pins GND, A1, a12, B1, B12 as shown in the figure;

two pairs of 4 pins D+/D-for USB2 data transfer, as shown as A6, A7, B6, B7. Wherein each pair of D+/D-corresponds to a data channel, D+ and D-are used for transmitting a pair of differential signals;

four pairs of 8 pins TXx +/TXx-, shown as A2, A3, A10, A11, B2, B3, B10, B11, for USB3 data transfer and DP data transfer. Each pair TXx +/TXx-corresponds to one data channel, TX+ and TX-are used to transmit a pair of differential signals. Wherein the 4 pairs of pins are shared for USB3 data transfer and DP data transfer. It should be noted that, here, USB3 may include USB3.0 and USB3.1;

2 configuration channels (configuration channel, CC) pins (CC 1 and CC 2), A5, B5 as shown in the figure. The CC pin (or CC channel) is used for carrying out transmission direction confirmation and positive and negative insertion confirmation in the Type-C connection process, and is used for transmitting USB PD BCM code signals, so that the function configuration of the load is realized. When one CC pin is used for transmitting the configuration signal of the Type-C interface, the other CC pin is used as a power supply V of an E-Marker chip on the cable _CONN . The cable with the E-Marker chip can be read with information such as the cable's ability to carry power, characteristics, wire ID, etc. for transmission configuration.

2 Type-C extension pins (SBU 1 and SBU 2), A8, B8 as shown in the figure. The SBU1 and the SBU2 are transmission channels of auxiliary signals and have different purposes in different application scenes. For example, when DP signal transmission is performed in the DP alternate MODE (display port altemate MODE, DP ALT MODE), it is used as an audio data transmission channel, and when the audio adapter accessory MODE is used as a microphone signal transmission channel.

Referring to fig. 2, a conventional Type-C plug interface is schematically shown, which illustrates pins (pins) defined in a Type-C plug. The Type-C plug is substantially identical to the Type-C receptacle in pin definition, except that there is only one set of pins D+/D-in the Type-C plug.

Based on the Type-C interface morphology shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 above, type-C can support the following modes:

DP alternate MODE (DP ALT MODE): in this mode, four sets of TXx +/TXx-channels allow for partial transmission of USB3 signals and partial transmission of DP signals. That is, in the DP alternating mode, two sets of TXx +/TXx-channels are used to transmit USB3 data, and two other sets of TXx +/TXx-channels are used to transmit DP data.

Audio adapter accessory mode (audio adapter accessory mode): in this mode, the USB2 channel is used to transmit analog audio signals and the microphone signal is transmitted through the SBU channel.

In some multimedia application scenarios, such as Virtual Reality (VR) scenarios, high-rate transmission and high-resolution display are required, i.e. higher demands are placed on the transmission bandwidth of DP data. And the VR equipment (such as VR glasses) and the main equipment (such as personal computers, intelligent televisions or mobile phones) are connected through the Type-C interface to realize equipment power supply, picture display and ultra-high-speed data connection. The VR standard currently provides 4 DP channels for ultra-high resolution displays, each of the 4 channels being used as a DP data transfer for high resolution display, and control commands and sensor data (magnetic field, angle, attitude, acceleration, temperature, position, infrared, camera, etc.) are transferred using the USB2 channel in the Type-C interface. The highest speed of the USB2 is 480Mbps, and under the condition that the finer and finer data volume of the sensor is larger, the problem of insufficient data bandwidth exists in the USB2 channel. If the USB3 channel is used to transmit DP data, two sets of TXx +/TXx channels can be only supported for transmitting DP data in the DP alternating mode because the common pin TXx +/TXx-for USB3 data transmission and DP data transmission in the conventional Type-C interface, which cannot meet the transmission bandwidth requirement of DP data in VR and other application scenarios.

Therefore, the embodiment of the application provides a communication connector which can be applied to USB Type-C or an evolution interface form thereof, and in the embodiment of the application, a channel for DP data transmission and a channel for USB3 data transmission do not share TXx +/TXx pins any more, i.e. the DP channel and the USB3 channel are decoupled, so as to improve the data transmission bandwidth. When the communication connector provided by the embodiment of the application is applied to multimedia scenes such as VR, four groups of TXx +/TXx-channels can be used for transmitting DP data, namely, the DP transmission of 4 channels is supported, and meanwhile, the USB3 channel can be used for transmitting control commands and sensor data, so that compared with the traditional Type-c interface, the data transmission bandwidth can be improved.

Embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment of the application provides a circuit structure of a communication connector. The communication connector may be a USB Type-C connector (also referred to as a USB Type-C interface, type-C interface for short). The pins of the communication connector may include: at least one pair of first pins, at least one pair of second pins, at least one third pin. Each pair of pins (including each pair of first pins and each pair of second pins) corresponds to one data channel, and each pair of pins includes two pins for transmitting differential signals. The communication connector also comprises a change-over switch circuit which can be an analog switch and can be realized by an integrated circuit.

The channel corresponding to each pair of first pins is used for transmitting DP data. Alternatively, the communication connector may include 4 pairs of first pins, so that up to 4 DP data transmission channels may be supported.

The data channel corresponding to each pair of the second pins is shared by the first USB data transmission and the second USB data transmission, namely, the channel is a shared channel for transmitting the first USB data and the second USB data. The communication protocols of the first USB data transmission and the second USB data transmission are different, and the speed of the first USB data transmission is higher than that of the second USB data transmission. For example, the first USB data transfer may comprise a USB3 data transfer, such as USB3.0 or USB3.1, and the second USB data transfer may comprise a USB2 data transfer; for another example, the first USB data transfer may comprise a USB4 data transfer and the second USB transfer may comprise a USB3 data transfer or a USB2 data transfer.

Optionally, the socket of the communication connector may include two pairs of second pins, and data channels corresponding to the two pairs of second pins are used for sharing the first USB data transmission and the second USB data transmission; the plug of the connector may include a pair of second pins, corresponding channels of which are used for sharing use of the first USB data transmission and the second USB data transmission, and a pair of fourth pins, corresponding channels of which are used for the first USB data transmission.

The third pin is used for determining an insertion direction and a transmission mode, wherein the insertion direction comprises a forward insertion direction and a reverse insertion direction. Optionally, the socket of the communication connector may include 2 third pins, and the plug of the communication connector may include 1 third pin. When two devices are connected through the communication connector, the detection circuit in the communication connector can detect the insertion direction based on the connection condition of the third pin in the communication connector of the two devices. Furthermore, the 2 devices can also exchange configuration information based on the channel corresponding to the third pin, such as performing communication mode and device role negotiation, so as to determine the transmission mode. For example, the transmission MODEs may include a first transmission MODE (e.g., DP only, i.e., DP transmission) and a second transmission MODE (e.g., DP ALT MODE, i.e., DP alternate MODE), and so on.

The switching circuit is used for switching on a data channel between the first pin and the DP processing unit and/or switching on a data channel between the second pin and the USB processing unit according to the determined insertion direction and the transmission mode. For example, for an upstream port device, the DP processing unit may include a graphics processor (graphics processing unit, GPU) or the like for processing display data, and for a downstream port device, the DP processing unit may include a device for providing display data. The USB processing unit may include a first USB processing unit, such as a USB3 processing unit, for processing USB3 data, and may also include a second USB processing unit, such as a USB2 processing unit, for processing USB2 data.

In some embodiments, the communication connector may further comprise at least one of the following pins: at least one extension pin for transmitting auxiliary signals, which may include 2 extension pins, for example; at least one power pin through which the upstream port device can supply power to the downstream port device; a ground pin.

In the communication connector, the first pin is used for DP data transmission, and the second pin is used for USB data transmission (including first USB data transmission and second USB data transmission), so that different pins are used for DP data transmission and USB data transmission, decoupling of the DP channel and the USB channel is realized, and therefore, the data transmission bandwidth can be improved. For example, in the DP alternate mode, all DP channels may be used for DP data transmission, and the transmission of control signaling and sensor data may be performed through the first USB channel (such as USB3 channel), so as to meet the requirements of display resolution and bidirectional high-speed data transmission.

The following describes embodiments of the present application in detail, taking an USB Type-C interface (including an USB Type-C receptacle and an USB Type-C plug) as an example.

Referring to fig. 3, a front view of a USB Type-C receptacle according to an embodiment of the present application is provided. The figure shows pins (pins) defined in a Type-C socket. As shown, the Type-C receptacle includes 2 rows of 24 pins, one row of which is identified as A1 through A12 and the other row of which is identified as B1 through B12. Each pin corresponds to a respective lane (lane). The 24 pins are respectively:

4 power supply pins V _BUS A4, A9, B4, B9 as shown in the figures function as corresponding pins in a conventional USB Type-C interface.

4 ground pins GND, shown as A1, A12, B1, B12, function as corresponding pins in a conventional USB Type-C interface.

Four pairs of 8 pins DP lanex+/DP lanex-for DP data transmission, as shown as A2, A3, A10, A11, B2, B3, B10, B11; the four pairs of pins are used for DP data transmission. Each pair of DP lanex +/-pins is used to transmit differential signals for a corresponding channel.

Two pairs of 4 pins for USB2 data transfer and USB3 data transfer, as A6, A7, B6, B7 are shown. The two pairs of pins are shared for USB2 data transfer and USB3 data transfer. Each pair of USB2 (D+/-) pins is used for transmitting differential signals of a USB2 data channel, and each pair of USB3 (D+/-) pins is used for transmitting differential signals of a USB3 data channel. It should be noted that, here, USB3 may include USB3.0 or USB3.1.

2 configuration channel (configuration channel, CC) pins (CC 1 and CC 2), shown as A5, B5, function the same as corresponding pins in a conventional USB Type-C interface.

2 Type-C extension pins (SBU 1 and SBU 2), A8, B8 as shown in the figure, function the same as corresponding pins in the conventional USB Type-C interface.

Referring to fig. 4, a schematic diagram of a USB Type-C plug interface is provided in an embodiment of the present application, where pins (pins) defined in a Type-C plug are shown. The Type-C plug is substantially identical to the Type-C socket in pin definition, except that there is only one set of pins USB2 (D+)/USB 2 (D-) in the Type-C plug.

Compared with the traditional Type-C interface, the Type-C interface provided by the embodiment of the application is redefined, and the USB3 channel is not connected with a channel multiplexing pin (pin) for DP data transmission, but connected with a channel multiplexing pin for USB2 data transmission, so that a high-bandwidth display channel (such as DP HBR 3) and a data channel (such as USB 3.1) are decoupled, and in a DP alternating mode, at most 4 DP channels can be supported for DP data transmission, and at most 2 USB3 channels can be simultaneously supported for control signaling and sensor data transmission, so that the device can meet the requirements of ever-increasing display resolution and bidirectional high-speed data transmission. For example, in a VR glasses scene, the Type-C interface provided by the embodiment of the present application may be used to perform transmission of control signaling and sensor data by using a USB3 data transmission channel, where the rate may reach 5Gbps/10Gbps, and the display data may be transmitted by using 4 DP data transmission channels, so as to implement high resolution display. Therefore, under the condition that the DP display data bandwidth is kept unchanged, compared with the case that a USB2 data transmission channel is used for transmitting control signaling and sensor data, the control command and sensor data transmission bandwidth can be improved by 10 times or even 20 times, and the problem of insufficient data bandwidth under the condition that the current sensor data is finer and finer can be effectively solved.

The CC pin in the USB Type-C interface provided in the embodiment of the present application may be used to detect forward and backward insertion, and may exchange configuration information to confirm a transmission direction (e.g. confirm a Host/Device role of a USB Device). Optionally, the function of the CC pin in the USB Type-C interface provided in the embodiments of the present application may be the same as that of a conventional USB Type-C interface.

Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a Type-C interface forward and backward insertion detection circuit provided in an embodiment of the present application. CC pin and V in Type-C interface of power supply equipment (source end in the figure) and Type-C interface of electric equipment (sink end in the figure) _BUS The connection of the pins is shown. After the Type-C socket and the Type-C plug are connected together, the connection direction can be judged by detecting which CC pin is connected. Further, if there is a device to be powered in the USB cable, one CC pin in the Type-C socket can be used asV _CONN To power the devices in the USB cable.

As shown in FIG. 5, at the source terminal, a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) is used to control the power supply V _BUS The MOSFET is in an off state in an initial state. The source end CC1/CC2 pins are pulled up to high level, when sink is inserted, the source end can detect Rd pull-down resistor, the source end can determine whether to insert forward or reverse according to which CC pin in the cable is pulled down Rd and turn over the data link of USB, and further can determine that the other CC pin is V _CONN . After this, source turns on V _BUS V using one CC pin at the same time _CONN And (5) supplying power. The Source terminal will continuously detect the presence of Rd and once disconnected, the power will be turned off.

At the sink end, two CC pins of the sink end are pulled down to the Ground (GND) through resistors Rd, and the sink end detects V _BUS To determine whether the source terminal is connected or not. The sink terminal detects the current USB communication link through the characteristic of the CC pin pull-up to determine whether to forward or reverse plug and determine whether to flip the link connection.

Optionally, the resistance of Rp at the source indicates the power level that the master side (Host) can provide. The Sink terminal can detect the value of Rp to determine the current that the source terminal can supply. And meanwhile, the power consumption of the power source is managed, and the maximum range provided by the source is ensured not to be exceeded.

Alternatively, if the source and sink terminals support advanced functions such as fast charging (PD) or Alternate Mode (Alternate Mode), communication may be performed through the CC pin to interact with necessary configuration information for determining the transmission Mode (e.g., whether to employ DP Alternate Mode, etc.).

In some embodiments, if the DP alternate mode is determined, the switch circuit may switch on the data channel between the first pin and the DP processing unit according to the insertion direction to establish the DP transmission channel, and switch on the data channel between the second pin and the first USB processing unit to establish the first USB (e.g., USB 3) data transmission channel. The first USB processing unit is used for processing first USB data, such as USB3 data. In the DP alternating mode, according to the insertion direction, all the data channels between the first pin and the DP processing unit may be turned on for transmitting DP data, and the data channels between the second pin and the first USB processing unit may be turned on for transmitting control signaling, sensor data, etc., thereby improving the data transmission bandwidth.

Taking the Type-C interface provided in the embodiment of the present application as an example, fig. 6a and fig. 6b schematically show a data channel schematic diagram of a communication connector when the communication connector is inserted in a forward direction and inserted in a reverse direction in a DP only transmission (DP only) mode.

As shown in fig. 6a, in the DP only mode, if the Type-C interface of the power source and/or the Type-C interface of the power receiving end detect a forward insertion, the control unit sends the insertion direction information to the switch circuit, and the switch circuit in the Type-C interface of the power source and the Type-C interface of the power receiving end can switch the DP channel and the SBU channel according to the insertion direction information, and the states of the DP channel and the SBU channel can be shown by the connection of the dashed lines in the figure.

As shown in fig. 6b, in the DP only mode, if the Type-C interface of the power source and/or the Type-C interface of the power receiving end detect reverse insertion, the insertion direction information is sent to the switch circuit by the control unit, and the switch circuit in the Type-C interface of the power source and the Type-C interface of the power receiving end can switch the DP channel and the SBU channel according to the insertion direction information, and the states of the DP channel and the SBU channel can be shown by the connection of the dashed lines in the figure.

Taking the Type-C interface provided in the embodiment of the present application as an example, fig. 7a and fig. 7b schematically show a schematic diagram of a data channel of a communication connector when the communication connector is inserted in a forward direction and inserted in a reverse direction in a DP alternate MODE (DP ALT MODE).

As shown in fig. 7a, in the DP alternate mode, if the Type-C interface of the power source and/or the Type-C interface of the power receiving end detect a forward insertion, the insertion direction information is sent to the switch circuit by the control unit, the switch circuit in the Type-C interface of the power source and the Type-C interface of the power receiving end can switch the DP channel, the SBU channel and the USB3 channel according to the insertion direction information, and the states of the DP channel, the SBU channel and the USB3 channel can be shown as a dotted connection in the figure.

As shown in fig. 7b, in the DP alternate mode, if the Type-C interface of the power source and/or the Type-C interface of the power receiving end detect reverse insertion, the insertion direction information is sent to the switch circuit by the control unit, the switch circuit in the Type-C interface of the power source and the Type-C interface of the power receiving end can switch the DP channel, the SBU channel and the USB3 channel according to the insertion direction information, and the states of the DP channel, the SBU channel and the USB3 channel can be shown by the connection of the dashed lines in the figure.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 8, the switch circuit in the communication connector may include: the USB switch 10, the transmission direction switch 20, the DP alternate mode switch 30, and further may further include an operation mode switch 40.

The USB switch 10 is configured to switch on a data transmission channel between a second pin (e.g., pin USB2/USB3 corresponding to a shared channel between USB2 transmission and USB3 transmission) and the transmission direction switch 20 if it is determined to perform a first USB data transmission (e.g., USB3 data transmission); if it is determined that the second USB data transmission (e.g., USB2 data transmission) is performed, a data transmission channel between the second pin and the second USB processing unit (e.g., USB2 processing unit) is turned on. Taking the Type-C interface form shown in fig. 3 as an example, the second pin may be at least one pin pair of the A6/A7 pin pair and the B6/B7 pin pair.

The transmission direction switch 20 is used for switching on a data channel between the transmission direction switch and a first USB processing unit (such as a USB3 processing unit) according to the insertion direction.

The DP alternate mode switch 30 is used for switching on the data channel between the first pin and the DP processing unit according to the insertion direction in the DP alternate mode.

Optionally, the third pin is further used to determine an operation mode, for example, the operation mode may be determined by configuration information interacted based on the third pin (e.g., CC pin). The operating modes may include a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The first working mode refers to a working mode in which different channels are used for DP data transmission and USB data transmission (including first USB data transmission and second USB data transmission) provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the second working mode refers to a conventional working mode, that is, a working mode in which the DP data transmission and the first USB data transmission share a channel. The operation mode switch 40 is used for switching on a data channel between the USB port of the DP alternate mode switch 30 and the first USB processing unit (e.g. USB3 processing unit) if the first operation mode is determined; if the second mode of operation is determined, the data path between the transmission direction switch 20 and the first USB processing unit (e.g., USB3 processing unit) is turned on. The compatibility of the communication connector provided in the embodiments of the present application with conventional communication connectors may be achieved by the operation mode switch 40.

Taking the Type-C interface as an example, fig. 9a and 9b show schematic connection states of the switch circuit in the Type-C interface when the DP alternating mode is adopted in the second working mode; fig. 10a and 10b are schematic diagrams showing connection states of the switch circuit in the Type-C interface when the DP alternate mode is adopted in the first operation mode.

As shown in fig. 9a, at the source end, if the CC pin is detected as being inserted forward, and the information interaction is performed based on the CC channel, it is determined that the conventional operation mode (i.e., the second operation mode, the DP data transmission and the USB3 data transmission share the channel), and it is determined that the DP alternate mode is used for DP data and USB3 data transmission, the operation mode switch 40 turns on the channel between the USB3 processing unit and the DP alternate mode switch 30, and the DP alternate mode switch 30 turns on the USB3TX channel, the USB3RX channel, and the 2 DP channels according to the insertion direction.

As shown in fig. 9b, at the source end, if the CC pin is detected as being inserted in the opposite direction and the CC channel is used for information interaction, it is determined that the device is operated in the conventional operation mode (i.e., the second operation mode, the DP data transmission and the USB3 data transmission share the channel), and it is determined that the DP alternate mode is used for DP data and USB3 data transmission, the operation mode switch 40 switches on the channel between the USB3 processing unit and the DP alternate mode switch 30, and the DP alternate mode switch 30 switches on the USB3TX channel, the USB3RX channel, and the 2 DP channels according to the insertion direction.

As shown in fig. 10a, at the source end, if the CC pin is detected as being inserted forward, and the CC channel is used for information interaction to determine that the operation mode provided in the embodiment of the present application (i.e., the first operation mode, the DP data transmission and the USB data transmission use different channels), and determine that the DP alternate mode is used for transmitting the DP data and the USB3 data, the operation mode switch 40 switches on the channel between the USB3 processing unit and the transmission direction switch 20, the transmission direction switch 20 switches on the USB btx channel and the USB brx channel according to the insertion direction, the USB switch 10 switches on the channel between the pin used for the USB2/USB3 shared transmission and the transmission direction switch 20, and the DP alternate mode switch 30 switches on the 4 DP channels according to the insertion direction.

As shown in fig. 10b, at the source end, if the CC pin is detected as being inserted reversely, and the CC channel is used for information interaction to determine that the operation mode provided in the embodiment of the present application (i.e., the first operation mode, the DP data transmission and the USB data transmission use different channels), and determine that the DP alternate mode is adopted to perform the DP data and the USB3 data transmission, the operation mode switch 40 switches on the channel between the USB3 processing unit and the transmission direction switch 20, the transmission direction switch 20 switches on the USB btx channel and the USB brx channel according to the insertion direction, the USB switch 10 switches on the channel between the pin used for the USB2/USB3 shared transmission and the transmission direction switch 20, and the DP alternate mode switch 30 switches on the 4 DP channels according to the insertion direction.

The embodiment of the application also provides a communication device, which can comprise the communication connector provided by the embodiment.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division, and there may be additional divisions when actually implemented, for example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be through some interface, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, electrical, mechanical, or other form.

The foregoing is merely specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think about changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and the changes and substitutions are intended to be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication connector, comprising:

the channels corresponding to the at least one pair of first pins are used for transmitting display interface DP data;

at least one pair of second pins, wherein channels corresponding to the at least one pair of second pins are shared channels for transmitting the first communication serial bus USB data and the second USB data, and communication protocols of the first USB data transmission and the second USB data transmission are different;

2. The communication connector of claim 1, wherein the switch circuit is specifically configured to:

if the DP alternate transmission mode is determined, a data channel between the at least one pair of first pins and the DP processing unit is connected according to the insertion direction, and a data channel between the at least one pair of second pins and the first USB processing unit is connected, wherein the first USB processing unit is used for processing the first USB data.

3. The communication connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the changeover switch circuit includes: a USB mode change-over switch, a transmission direction switch, and a DP alternate mode change-over switch;

the USB change-over switch is used for switching on a data transmission channel between the second pin and the transmission direction switch if the first USB data transmission is determined; if the second USB data transmission is determined, a data transmission channel between the second pin and the second USB processing unit is connected;

the transmission direction switch is used for switching on a data channel between the transmission direction switch and a receiving port of the first USB processing unit or switching on a data channel between the transmission direction switch and a transmitting port of the first USB processing unit according to the insertion direction;

the DP alternate mode change-over switch is used for switching on a data channel between the first pin and the DP processing unit according to the insertion direction in the DP alternate mode.

4. The communication connector of claim 3, wherein the third pin is further for determining an operational mode;

the switching circuit further comprises a mode switching switch;

the mode change-over switch is used for switching on a data channel between the USB port of the DP alternating mode change-over switch and the second USB processing unit if the first working mode is determined; and if the second working mode is determined, a data channel between the transmission direction switch and the second USB processing unit is connected.

5. The communication connector of any of claims 1-4, wherein the communication connector comprises four pairs of the first pins.

6. The communication connector of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the receptacle of the communication connector includes two pairs of the second pins therein;

the plug of the communication connector comprises a pair of second pins and a pair of fourth pins, and channels corresponding to the fourth pins are used for transmitting the first USB data.

7. The communication connector of any of claims 1-6, wherein 2 of the third pins are included in a receptacle of the communication connector and 1 of the third pins are included in a plug of the communication connector.

8. The communication connector of any of claims 1-7, further comprising at least one extension pin therein for transmitting auxiliary signals.

9. The communication connector of any of claims 1-8, wherein the first USB data transmission comprises a USB3 data transmission and the second USB data transmission comprises a USB2 data transmission.

10. The communication connector of any of claims 1-9, wherein the communication connector is a USB type-C connector.

11. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device comprises a communication connector according to any of claims 1-10.