JP5763519B2 - USB hub controller, USB host controller, and system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a USB hub controller, a USB host controller, and a system.

  Nowadays, many personal computers and portable terminal devices are provided with a USB interface. In addition to a set device such as a personal computer, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integration) in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) called an application processor, a video accelerator, and the like are mounted on one chip is also mounted with a USB interface. As described above, the USB is an interface provided in all semiconductor integrated circuit devices including many set devices and LSIs.

  The transfer speed defined in USB version 2.0 (hereinafter referred to as USB 2.0) is 480 Mbps for high speed (HS), 12 Mbps for full speed (FS), In the case of low speed (LS), it is 1.5 Mbps. In USB version 3.0 (hereinafter referred to as USB 3.0), a super speed (SS: Super Speed) having a transfer speed of 5 Gbps is newly added.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a USB host device capable of switching a communication method with a USB device device at an arbitrary timing. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology capable of arbitrarily switching the peripheral device equipment used by each computer from a plurality of peripheral device equipment without changing the physical connection state of the computer and the peripheral device equipment connected thereto. ing.

  Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a hub controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard. The hub controller disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 includes one up port and a plurality of down ports (see page 11 of Non-Patent Document 1). When the USB hub controller is enumerated by the USB host controller, the USB hub controller reports the number of down ports to the USB host controller. At this time, the USB hub controller is not permitted to select the numerical range or numerical value assignment of the down port. The USB host controller assigns a number from 1 to N (the number of down ports) to the down port of the USB hub controller. The number assigned by the USB host controller is a logical port number, and the down port number of the USB hub controller is a physical port number.

  The USB hub controller disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 can flexibly change the relationship between logical ports and physical ports in order to cope with various platform designs (48- (See page 51). That is, when the USB hub controller is in the mapping mode, the down port number (physical port number) of the USB hub controller can be mapped differently from the logical port number. For example, when there are seven down ports (physical ports), logical port numbers 1 to 7 can be assigned to the physical port number “1”. The same applies to other down ports (physical ports). This logical port number is assigned using a USB host controller.

JP 2011-203788 A JP 2001-229119 A

SMSC Company USB 2.0 Hub Controller Data Sheet (http://www.smsc.com/media/Downloads_Public/Data_Sheets/251x.pdf)

  As described in the background art, a super speed mode (SS mode) with a transfer speed of 5 Gbps is newly added due to the establishment of the USB 3.0 standard. Accordingly, as the USB interface, the transfer speed (HS mode, FS mode, LS mode) used in the conventional USB 2.0 standard and the transfer speed used in the newly added USB 3.0 standard (HS mode, FS mode, LS mode) (SS mode) coexisting interface is required. For this reason, in a USB hub controller having a plurality of down port terminals, it is necessary to provide a hub controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and a hub controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard in parallel.

  However, depending on the system equipped with a USB hub controller that includes a hub controller that conforms to the USB 3.0 standard and a hub controller that conforms to the USB 2.0 standard, the number of USB 3.0 standard downport terminals required by the system may vary. The number of USB 2.0 standard down port terminals may be different. Also, depending on the system equipped with a USB hub controller, an external connection downport connector connected only to a USB2.0 standard downport terminal, a USB3.0 standard downport terminal, and a USB2.0 standard downport terminal The system configuration differs depending on the system on which the USB hub controller is mounted, such as a mixture of external connection downport connectors connected to both of them. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately manage the USB 3.0 standard downport terminal and the USB 2.0 standard downport terminal according to the system in which the USB hub controller is mounted.

  In the technology disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, only the technology related to the hub controller compliant with USB 2.0 is disclosed. Therefore, even if the technology disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 is used, depending on the system equipped with a USB hub controller including a hub controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and a hub controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard. The USB 3.0 standard downport terminal and the USB 2.0 standard downport terminal cannot be properly managed.

  The above problem also occurs in a USB host controller having a plurality of downport terminals, in which a host controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and a host controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard are provided in parallel.

  The USB hub controller according to the present invention is connected to a first up port terminal connectable to an external connection up port connector and a plurality of first down port terminals connectable to a plurality of external connection down port connectors. Connected to the first hub controller for transferring data by the first transfer method, the second up port terminal connectable to the external connection up port connector, and the plurality of external connection down port connectors, respectively. A second hub controller connected to a plurality of possible second downport terminals and transferring data by a second transfer method having a transfer speed slower than that of the first transfer method; and the plurality of external connection downs Connection between the port connector and the plurality of first down port terminals, and the plurality of external connection down port connectors and the A port information storage unit capable of storing port information relating to connection with a number of second down port terminals, wherein the first and second hub controllers are stored in the port information storage unit Data transfer processing is performed based on the information.

  In the USB hub controller according to the present invention, the connection between the plurality of external connection down port connectors and the plurality of first down port terminals, and the connection between the plurality of external connection down port connectors and the plurality of second down port terminals. A port information storage unit capable of storing port information related to connection is provided. In this way, by providing the port information storage unit, the first hub controller and the second hub controller can be mounted on the USB hub controller (the first and second downport terminals, the external connection downport connector, Port information according to the connection relationship). Therefore, even when the first and second hub controllers having different standards coexist, the ports can be appropriately managed according to the installed system.

The USB host controller according to the present invention is connected to a plurality of first down port terminals connectable to a plurality of external connection down port connectors and a host interface connectable to a predetermined system. Connected to the host interface, a plurality of second downport terminals connectable to the plurality of external connection downport connectors, and the host interface. A second host controller that transfers data using a second transfer method having a low transfer speed;
Port information regarding connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of first downport terminals, and connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of second downport terminals. A storable port information storage unit, and the first and second host controllers perform data transfer processing based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit.

  In the USB host controller according to the present invention, the connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of first downport terminals, and the connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of second downport terminals. A port information storage unit capable of storing port information related to connection is provided. As described above, by providing the port information storage unit, the first host controller and the second host controller can be mounted on the USB host controller (first and second downport terminals, external connection downport connectors, and the like). Port information according to the connection relationship). Therefore, even when the first and second host controllers having different standards coexist, the ports can be appropriately managed according to the installed system.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a USB hub controller and a system including a USB hub controller capable of appropriately managing ports according to the installed system even when hub controllers with different standards coexist. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a USB host controller and a system including a USB host controller that can appropriately manage ports according to the installed system even when host controllers having different standards are mixed. it can.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a USB hub controller according to a first embodiment; 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system including a USB hub controller according to a first embodiment; 4 is a table showing an example of port information stored in a port information storage unit included in the USB hub controller according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a USB host controller according to a second embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system including a USB host controller according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a USB hub controller according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system including a USB hub controller according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a USB host controller according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system including a USB host controller according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system including a USB hub controller according to a fifth embodiment; FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a system including a USB hub controller according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system including a USB host controller according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another example of a system including a USB host controller according to a sixth embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the USB hub controller according to the first embodiment. A USB hub controller 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first hub controller 11, a second hub controller 12, a port information storage unit 13, a first up port terminal 14, a second up port terminal 15, a memory interface 16, A plurality of first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N and a plurality of second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N are provided. Here, N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and corresponds to the number of first and second downport terminals.

  The first hub controller 11 is a hub controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard, for example, and is located between a USB host controller (not shown) located on the upstream side and a USB device device (not shown) located on the downstream side. Provided. The first hub controller 11 is connected to the first up port terminal 14 on the upstream side, and is connected to the plurality of first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N on the downstream side. Further, the first hub controller 11 transfers the data transferred through the first up port terminal 14 to the first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N, and passes through the first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N. The transferred data is transferred to the first up port terminal 14.

  At this time, the first hub controller 11 performs routing processing for transferring the data transferred via the first up port terminal 14 to any one of the plurality of first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N. To do. Further, the first hub controller 11 transfers data by the first transfer method. Here, the first transfer method is, for example, a super speed mode (SS mode: transfer speed of 5 Gbps) defined by the USB 3.0 standard.

  Further, the first hub controller 11 is connected to detect the connection of the USB device device, detect the transfer speed of the connected USB device device (that is, detect whether or not the transfer speed is compatible with the SS mode). Supply power to the USB device.

  The second hub controller 12 is a hub controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard, for example, and is located between a USB host controller (not shown) located on the upstream side and a USB device device (not shown) located on the downstream side. Provided. The second hub controller 12 is connected to the second up port terminal 15 on the upstream side, and connected to the plurality of second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N on the downstream side. That is, the second hub controller 12 is provided in parallel with the first hub controller 11. Further, the second hub controller 12 transfers the data transferred through the second up port terminal 15 to the second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N, and passes through the second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N. The transferred data is transferred to the second up port terminal 15.

  At this time, the second hub controller 12 broadcast-transfers the data transferred via the second up port terminal 15 to the second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N, or the second hub controller 12 depends on the transfer speed. A routing process for transferring to any one of the down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N is performed. The second hub controller 12 transfers data by the second transfer method having a transfer rate slower than that of the first transfer method. Here, the second transfer method includes, for example, a high speed mode (HS mode: 480 Mbps), a full speed mode (FS mode: 12 Mbps), and a low speed mode (LS mode: 1.5 Mbps) defined by the USB 2.0 standard. ).

  Further, the second hub controller 12 detects connection of the USB device device, supplies power to the connected USB device device, and the like. In addition, the second hub controller 12 detects the transfer speed of the connected USB device device, and corresponds to the transfer speed of the connected USB device device so as to correspond to the transfer speed of the connected USB device device. The transfer rate between the port terminals 18_1 to 18_N is converted. That is, the second hub controller 12 transfers data in the HS mode when the connected USB device device is compatible with the HS mode, and the second hub controller 12 is when the connected USB device device is not compatible with the HS mode. The data is transferred in the FS mode or the LS mode, which is slower than the HS mode.

  The first up port terminal 14 is configured to be connectable to an external connection up port connector. Further, the second up port terminal 15 is configured to be connectable to an external connection up port connector. The plurality of first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N are configured to be connectable to a plurality of external connection down port connectors, respectively. The plurality of second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N are configured to be connectable to a plurality of external connection down port connectors, respectively.

  Here, the first hub controller 11, the second hub controller 12, the port information storage unit 13, the first up port terminal 14, the second up port terminal 15, the memory interface 16 shown in FIG. One down port terminal 17_1 to 17_N and a plurality of second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N can be mounted on, for example, one semiconductor chip. That is, the USB hub controller 10 can be configured with one semiconductor chip. In this case, the first up port terminal 14, the second up port terminal 15, the memory interface 16, the plurality of first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N, and the plurality of second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N are semiconductor chips. This terminal is connected to a wiring provided outside.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system 20 (for example, a USB hub) equipped with the USB hub controller 10 shown in FIG. That is, the system 20 shown in FIG. 2 is configured by mounting the USB hub controller 10 that is a semiconductor chip on a mounting board 25 including the external connection upport connector 22 and the external connection downport connectors 23_1 to 23_4. Can do.

  The first up port terminal 14 and the second up port terminal 15 included in the USB hub controller 10 are connected to an external connection up port connector 22. Here, the external connection up port connector 22 is a connector connected to a USB host controller or the like located on the upstream side of the system 20.

  The first downport terminal 17_1 (terminal number # 1) is connected to the external connection downport connector 23_1 (connector number # 1), and the first downport terminal 17_3 (terminal number # 3) is for external connection. It is connected to the down port connector 23_2 (connector number # 2), and the first down port terminal 17_N (terminal number #N) is connected to the external connection down port connector 23_3 (connector number # 3). The first down port terminal 17_2 (terminal number # 2) is not connected to the external connection down port connector.

  The second downport terminal 18_1 (terminal number # 1) is connected to the external connection downport connector 23_1 (connector number # 1), and the second downport terminal 18_2 (terminal number # 2) is for external connection. Connected to the downport connector 23_2 (connector number # 2), the second downport terminal 18_3 (terminal number # 3) is connected to the external connection downport connector 23_4 (connector number # 4), and the second downport The terminal 18_N (terminal number #N) is connected to the external connection downport connector 23_3 (connector number # 3).

  The connection between the first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N and the external connection down port connectors 23_1 to 23_4 and the second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N and the external connection down port connectors 23_1 to 23_4 shown in FIG. The connection to is an example, and the connection relationship can be arbitrarily determined. These connections are wired using fixed wiring.

  For example, the connection between the first and second down port terminals and the external connection down port connector can be determined in consideration of the number and position of the external connection down port connectors provided in the system 20. In the SS mode defined by the USB 3.0 standard, since the transfer speed is high, the distance between the first down port terminal and the external connection down port connector is preferably short. Therefore, considering this point, the connection between the first down port terminal and the external connection down port connector may be determined.

  Further, FIG. 2 illustrates the case where the number of external connection downport connectors 23_1 to 23_4 is four, but the number of external connection downport connectors may be plural, for example, five or more.

  The USB hub controller 10 according to the present embodiment has a port information storage unit 13. The port information storage unit 13 connects the first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N and the external connection down port connectors 23_1 to 23_4, and the second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N and the external connection down port connectors 23_1 to 23_4. Port information related to the connection with can be stored.

  FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of port information stored in the port information storage unit 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the port information storage unit 13 includes numbers of the down port connectors 23_1 to 23_4 for external connection (# 1 to #N) and numbers of the first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N (# 1 to #N). ), And a table showing the correspondence between the numbers (# 1 to #N) of the second downport terminals 18_1 to 18_N can be stored as port information.

  In the table shown in FIG. 3, the external connection downport connector number # 1 corresponds to the first downport terminal number # 1 and the second downport terminal number # 1, respectively. It shows that the first down port terminal 17_1 (terminal number # 1) and the second down port terminal 18_1 (terminal number # 1) are connected to the port connector 23_1 (connector number # 1), respectively.

  Also, the external connection downport connector number # 2 corresponds to the first downport terminal number # 3 and the second downport terminal number # 2, respectively, which corresponds to the external connection downport connector 23_2 (connector). The number # 2) indicates that the first downport terminal 17_3 (terminal number # 3) and the second downport terminal 18_2 (terminal number # 2) are connected to each other.

  The external connection downport connector number # 3 corresponds to the first downport terminal number #N and the second downport terminal number #N, respectively, and this corresponds to the external connection downport connector 23_3 (connector). The number # 3) indicates that the first downport terminal 17_N (terminal number #N) and the second downport terminal 18_N (terminal number #N) are connected to each other.

  The external connection downport connector number # 4 corresponds to the first downport terminal number “0” and the second downport terminal number # 3, respectively. Here, when the first downport terminal number is “0”, it indicates that the external connection downport connector is not connected to any of the first downport terminals. Therefore, in this case, the external connection downport connector 23_4 (connector number # 4) is connected only to the second downport terminal 18_3 (terminal number # 3).

  When the external connection downport connector numbers are # 5 to #N, the first downport terminal number and the second downport terminal number are both “0”. Therefore, the external connection downport connectors corresponding to the external connection downport connector numbers # 5 to #N are not connected to the first downport terminal and the second downport terminal.

  The port information storage unit 13 can acquire port information as shown in FIG. 3 from the memory 21 provided outside (for example, the mounting board 25) via the memory interface 16. That is, when the USB hub controller (semiconductor chip) 10 is mounted on the mounting board 25, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector is stored in the memory 21 as port information. The memory 21 and the memory interface 16 are connected. Thereby, the port information storage unit 13 can acquire the port information stored in the memory 21. As the memory 21, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) or a flash memory can be used.

  The port information differs depending on the mounting form of the USB hub controller (semiconductor chip) 10 (that is, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector). The port information corresponding to the mounting form is stored.

  Each of the first hub controller 11 and the second hub controller 12 performs data transfer processing based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit 13. That is, the first hub controller 11 and the second hub controller 12 notify the total number of external connection down port connectors to the system software based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit 13, Performs packet routing processing.

  For example, the first downport terminals 17_1 to 17_N included in the USB hub controller 10 shown in FIG. 2 are connected to three of the external connection downport connectors 23_1 to 23_4. Therefore, the first hub controller 11 can notify the system software that the total number of external connection downport connectors corresponding to the USB 3.0 SS mode is three. On the other hand, the second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N are connected to all of the external connection down port connectors 23_1 to 23_4. Therefore, the second hub controller 12 can notify the system software that the total number of external connection downport connectors corresponding to the USB 2.0 standard transfer mode is four.

  For example, when the first hub controller 11 transfers data to the external connection downport connector 23_2, the first hub controller 11 refers to the port information stored in the port information storage unit 13, and Data is transferred to the first down port terminal 17_3 connected to the external connection down port connector 23_2. As described above, the first hub controller 11 can perform the packet routing process by referring to the port information stored in the port information storage unit 13. The same applies to the second hub controller 12.

  For example, when the USB device device is connected to the external connection downport connector 23_2 connected to both the first downport terminal 17_3 and the second downport terminal 18_2, the first hub controller 11 Then, it is determined whether the connected USB device device is compatible with the transfer mode defined by the USB 3.0 standard. The second hub controller 12 determines whether the connected USB device device is compatible with the transfer mode defined by the USB 2.0 standard. When the connected USB device device is compatible with the transfer mode (SS mode) defined by the USB 3.0 standard, the first hub controller 11 connects the first down port terminal 17_3 and the external connection down. Via the port connector 23_2, it communicates with the USB device device in the transfer mode defined by the USB 3.0 standard. On the other hand, if the connected USB device device does not support the transfer mode specified by the USB 3.0 standard but supports the transfer mode specified by the USB 2.0 standard, the second hub controller 12 Via the second down port terminal 18_2 and the external connection down port connector 23_2, communication is performed with the USB device device in the transfer mode defined by the USB 2.0 standard.

  As described in the background art, a super speed mode (SS mode) with a transfer speed of 5 Gbps is newly added due to the establishment of the USB 3.0 standard. Accordingly, as the USB interface, the transfer speed (HS mode, FS mode, LS mode) used in the conventional USB 2.0 standard and the transfer speed used in the newly added USB 3.0 standard (HS mode, FS mode, LS mode) An interface coexisting with the SS mode is required. For this reason, in a USB hub controller having a plurality of down port terminals, it is necessary to provide a hub controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and a hub controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard in parallel.

  However, depending on the system (mounting board) on which a USB hub controller including a hub controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and a hub controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard is mounted, a down port of the USB 3.0 standard required by the system In some cases, the number of terminals and the number of USB 2.0 standard down port terminals are different. Also, depending on the system equipped with a USB hub controller, an external connection downport connector connected only to a USB2.0 standard downport terminal, a USB3.0 standard downport terminal, and a USB2.0 standard downport terminal The system configuration differs depending on the system equipped with the USB hub controller, such as a mixture of external connection downport connectors connected to both. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately manage the USB 3.0 standard down port terminal and the USB 2.0 standard down port terminal according to the system in which the USB hub controller is mounted.

  Therefore, in the USB hub controller 10 according to the present embodiment, the connection between the first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N and the external connection down port connectors 23_1 to 23_4, and the second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N and the external connection. A port information storage unit 13 capable of storing port information related to connection with the down port connectors 23_1 to 23_4 is provided. Thus, by providing the port information storage unit 13, the first hub controller 11 and the second hub controller 12 can mount the USB hub controller (semiconductor chip) 10 (first and second downport terminals). And port information according to the connection relationship between the external connection and the down port connector for external connection. The first hub controller 11 and the second hub controller 12 can perform data transfer processing based on the port information. Therefore, even when the first hub controller 11 and the second hub controller 12 having different standards coexist, the ports can be managed appropriately according to the installed system.

  In the present embodiment, the port information storage unit 13 acquires port information from the memory 21 provided on the mounting board 25. Therefore, when the connection relationship between the first and second down port terminals and the external connection down port connector is changed, the port information stored in the memory 21 is changed only by changing the port information stored in the memory 21. can do. Therefore, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector can be flexibly changed. In other words, the mounting form of the USB hub controller (semiconductor chip) 10 can be changed without changing the configuration of the USB hub controller (semiconductor chip) 10.

  For example, a vendor that provides various systems equipped with a USB hub controller can provide various systems using the same USB hub controller by using the USB hub controller 10 according to the present embodiment.

  With the invention according to the present embodiment described above, a USB hub controller and a USB hub controller that can manage ports appropriately according to the installed system even when hub controllers with different standards are mixed. A system can be provided.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the USB host controller according to the present embodiment. The USB host controller 30 shown in FIG. 4 includes a first host controller 31, a second host controller 32, a port information storage unit 33, a host interface 34, a memory interface 36, a plurality of first downport terminals 37_1 to 37_N, And a plurality of second downport terminals 38_1 to 38_N. Here, N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and corresponds to the number of first and second downport terminals.

  The first host controller 31 is a host controller compliant with, for example, the USB 3.0 standard. The first host controller 31 is connected to the host interface 34 on the upstream side, and is connected to the plurality of first down port terminals 37_1 to 37_N on the downstream side. The host interface 34 is configured to be connectable to the bus on the upstream side. Here, for example, the host interface 34 is a PCI bus interface, and the host interface 34 is connected to a PCI bus, and is connected to a predetermined system via the PCI bus. Further, for example, the first host controller 31 includes xHCI (eXtensible Host Controller Interface).

  The first host controller 31 transfers the data transferred via the host interface 34 to the first downport terminals 37_1 to 37_N, and the data transferred via the first downport terminals 37_1 to 37_N. Is transferred to the host interface 34. At this time, the first host controller 31 performs a routing process for transferring the data transferred via the host interface 34 to any one of the plurality of first downport terminals 37_1 to 37_N. The first host controller 31 transfers data by the first transfer method. Here, the first transfer method is, for example, a super speed mode (SS mode: transfer speed of 5 Gbps) defined by the USB 3.0 standard.

  In addition, the first host controller 31 detects the connection of the USB device, detects the transfer speed of the connected USB device (that is, detects whether the transfer speed is compatible with the SS mode), the USB device Performs enumeration processing for assigning device-specific numbers, power supply to connected USB device devices, and so on.

  The second host controller 32 is a host controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard, for example. The second host controller 32 is connected to the host interface 34 on the upstream side, and connected to the plurality of first down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N on the downstream side. For example, the second host controller 32 includes an OHCI (Open Host Controller Interface) in parallel with the EHCI. Further, the second host controller 32 may include xHCI (eXtensible Host Controller Interface).

  The second host controller 32 transfers the data transferred via the host interface 34 to the second downport terminals 38_1 to 38_N, and the data transferred via the second downport terminals 38_1 to 38_N. Is transferred to the host interface 34. At this time, the second host controller 32 broadcast-transfers the data transferred through the host interface 34 to the plurality of second downport terminals 38_1 to 38_N, or the plurality of second downport terminals 38_1 to 38_1. Routing processing for transferring to any one of 38_N is performed. Further, the second host controller 32 transfers data by the second transfer method having a transfer rate slower than that of the first transfer method. Here, the second transfer method includes, for example, a high speed mode (HS mode: 480 Mbps), a full speed mode (FS mode: 12 Mbps), and a low speed mode (LS mode: 1.5 Mbps) defined by the USB 2.0 standard. ). The above EHCI is an interface for HS mode, and OHCI is an interface for FS mode and LS mode.

  The second host controller 32 also detects the connection of the USB device device, performs an enumeration process for assigning a number unique to the USB device device, and supplies power to the connected USB device device. In addition, the second host controller 32 detects the transfer speed of the connected USB device device, and corresponds to the transfer speed of the connected USB device device, and the host interface 34 and the second downport terminals 38_1 to 38_1. The transfer rate between 38_N is converted. That is, the second host controller 32 transfers data in the HS mode when the connected USB device device is compatible with the HS mode, and the second host controller 32 when the connected USB device device is not compatible with the HS mode. The data is transferred in the FS mode or the LS mode, which is slower than the HS mode.

  The host interface 34 is configured to be connectable to the bus on the upstream side. The plurality of first down port terminals 37_1 to 37_N are configured to be connectable to a plurality of external connection down port connectors, respectively. The plurality of second down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N are configured to be connectable to a plurality of external connection down port connectors, respectively.

  Here, the first host controller 31, the second host controller 32, the port information storage unit 33, the host interface 34, the memory interface 36, the plurality of first down port terminals 37 </ b> _ <b> 1 to 37 </ b> _N illustrated in FIG. The second downport terminals 38_1 to 38_N can be mounted on, for example, one semiconductor chip. That is, the USB host controller 30 can be composed of one semiconductor chip. In this case, the host interface 34, the memory interface 36, the plurality of first down port terminals 37_1 to 37_N, and the plurality of second down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N are terminals of the semiconductor chip, and are provided with wirings provided outside. Connected.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a system 40 in which the USB host controller 30 shown in FIG. 4 is installed. Here, the system 40 is, for example, a personal computer or a portable terminal device. The system 40 shown in FIG. 5 can be configured by mounting the USB host controller 30 that is a semiconductor chip on a mounting board 45 including the external connection downport connectors 43_1 to 43_4. For example, the host interface 34 is connected to a predetermined system (CPU or the like) via a bus (not shown) provided on the mounting board 45.

  The first down port terminal 37_1 (terminal number # 1) is connected to the external connection down port connector 43_1 (connector number # 1), and the first down port terminal 37_3 (terminal number # 3) is the external connection down port. The first down port terminal 37_N (terminal number #N) is connected to the connector 43_2 (connector number # 2), and is connected to the external connection down port connector 43_3 (connector number # 3). The first down port terminal 37_2 (terminal number # 2) is not connected to the external connection down port connector.

  The second downport terminal 38_1 (terminal number # 1) is connected to the external connection downport connector 43_1 (connector number # 1), and the second downport terminal 38_2 (terminal number # 2) is for external connection. Connected to the down port connector 43_2 (connector number # 2), the second down port terminal 38_3 (terminal number # 3) is connected to the external connection down port connector 43_4 (connector number # 4), and the second down port The terminal 38_N (terminal number #N) is connected to the external connection downport connector 43_3 (connector number # 3).

  The first downport terminals 37_1 to 37_N shown in FIG. 5 are connected to the external connection downport connectors 43_1 to 43_4, and the second downport terminals 38_1 to 38_N and the external connection downport connectors 43_1 to 43_4 are connected. The connection to is an example, and the connection relationship can be arbitrarily determined. These connections are wired using fixed wiring.

  For example, the connection between the first and second down port terminals and the external connection down port connector can be determined in consideration of the number and position of the external connection down port connectors provided in the system 40. In the SS mode defined by the USB 3.0 standard, since the transfer speed is high, the distance between the first down port terminal and the external connection down port connector is preferably short. Therefore, considering this point, the connection between the first down port terminal and the external connection down port connector may be determined.

  Further, FIG. 5 illustrates the case where the number of external connection downport connectors 43_1 to 43_4 is four. However, the number of external connection downport connectors may be plural, and for example, five or more may be provided.

  The USB host controller 30 according to the present embodiment has a port information storage unit 33. The port information storage unit 33 connects the first down port terminals 37_1 to 37_N and the external connection down port connectors 43_1 to 43_4, and the second down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N and the external connection down port connectors 43_1 to 43_4. Port information related to the connection with can be stored.

  Note that an example of the port information stored in the port information storage unit 33 is the same as in the case of FIG. 3 (see the first embodiment), and a duplicate description is omitted.

  The port information storage unit 33 can acquire port information as shown in FIG. 3 from the memory 41 provided outside (for example, the mounting board 45) via the memory interface 36. That is, when the USB host controller (semiconductor chip) 30 is mounted on the mounting board 45, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector is stored in the memory 41 as port information. The memory 41 and the memory interface 36 are connected. As a result, the port information storage unit 33 can acquire the port information stored in the memory 41. As the memory 41, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory can be used.

  The port information differs depending on the mounting form of the USB host controller (semiconductor chip) 30 (that is, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector). The port information corresponding to the mounting form is stored.

  Each of the first host controller 31 and the second host controller 32 performs data transfer processing based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit 33. That is, the first host controller 31 and the second host controller 32 notify the total number of external connection down port connectors to the system software based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit 33, An enumeration process for assigning a number unique to the USB device is performed, or a packet routing process is performed.

  For example, the first downport terminals 37_1 to 37_N included in the USB host controller 30 shown in FIG. 5 are connected to three of the external connection downport connectors 43_1 to 43_4. Therefore, the first host controller 31 can notify the system software that the total number of external connection downport connectors corresponding to the USB 3.0 SS mode is three. On the other hand, the second down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N are connected to all the external connection down port connectors 43_1 to 43_4. Therefore, the second host controller 32 can notify the system software that the total number of external connection downport connectors corresponding to the USB 2.0 standard transfer mode is four.

  Further, for example, when the first host controller 31 transfers data to the external connection downport connector 43_2, the first host controller 31 refers to the port information stored in the port information storage unit 33, and Data is transferred to the first down port terminal 37_3 connected to the external connection down port connector 43_2. As described above, the first host controller 31 can execute the packet routing process by referring to the port information stored in the port information storage unit 33. The same applies to the second host controller 32.

  For example, when the USB device device is connected to the external connection downport connector 43_2 connected to both the first downport terminal 37_3 and the second downport terminal 38_2, the first host controller 31 Then, it is determined whether the connected USB device device is compatible with the transfer mode defined by the USB 3.0 standard. In addition, the second host controller 32 determines whether the connected USB device device is compatible with the transfer mode defined by the USB 2.0 standard. When the connected USB device device is compatible with the transfer mode (SS mode) defined by the USB 3.0 standard, the first host controller 31 uses the first down port terminal 37_3 and the external connection down mode. Via the port connector 43_2, it communicates with the USB device device in the transfer mode defined by the USB 3.0 standard. On the other hand, if the connected USB device device does not support the transfer mode specified by the USB 3.0 standard but supports the transfer mode specified by the USB 2.0 standard, the second host controller 32 Via the second down port terminal 38_2 and the external connection down port connector 43_2, communication is performed with the USB device in the transfer mode defined by the USB 2.0 standard.

  As described in the background art, a super speed mode (SS mode) with a transfer speed of 5 Gbps is newly added due to the establishment of the USB 3.0 standard. Accordingly, as the USB interface, the transfer speed (HS mode, FS mode, LS mode) used in the conventional USB 2.0 standard and the transfer speed used in the newly added USB 3.0 standard (HS mode, FS mode, LS mode) An interface coexisting with the SS mode is required. For this reason, in a USB host controller having a plurality of down port terminals, it is necessary to provide a host controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and a host controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard in parallel.

  However, depending on a system (mounting board) equipped with a USB host controller including a host controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and a host controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard, the USB 3.0 standard downport required by the system In some cases, the number of terminals and the number of USB 2.0 standard down port terminals are different. Also, depending on the system equipped with the USB host controller, an external connection downport connector connected only to a USB2.0 standard downport terminal, a USB3.0 standard downport terminal, and a USB2.0 standard downport terminal The system configuration differs depending on the system in which the USB host controller is mounted, such as a mixture of external connection downport connectors connected to both. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately manage the USB 3.0 standard down port terminal and the USB 2.0 standard down port terminal according to the system in which the USB host controller is mounted.

  Therefore, in the USB host controller 30 according to the present embodiment, the connection between the first down port terminals 37_1 to 37_N and the external connection down port connectors 43_1 to 43_4, and the second down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N and the external connection. A port information storage unit 33 that can store port information related to the connection with the down port connectors 43_1 to 43_4 is provided. As described above, by providing the port information storage unit 33, the first host controller 31 and the second host controller 32 can mount the USB host controller (semiconductor chip) 30 (first and second downport terminals). And port information according to the connection relationship between the external connection and the down port connector for external connection. Then, the first host controller 31 and the second host controller 32 can perform data transfer processing based on this port information. Therefore, even when the first host controller 31 and the second host controller 32 having different standards coexist, the ports can be managed appropriately according to the installed system.

  In the present embodiment, the port information storage unit 33 acquires port information from the memory 41 provided on the mounting board 45. Therefore, when the connection relationship between the first and second down port terminals and the external connection down port connector is changed, the port information stored in the memory 41 is simply rewritten, and the port information stored in the port information storage unit 33 is changed. can do. Therefore, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector can be flexibly changed. In other words, the mounting form of the USB host controller (semiconductor chip) 30 can be changed without changing the configuration of the USB host controller (semiconductor chip) 30.

  For example, a vendor that provides various systems equipped with a USB host controller can provide various systems using the same USB host controller by using the USB host controller 30 according to the present embodiment.

  With the invention according to the present embodiment described above, a USB host controller and a USB host controller that can manage ports appropriately according to the installed system even when host controllers with different standards are mixed. A system can be provided.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the USB hub controller according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a system equipped with a USB hub controller according to the present embodiment. The USB hub controller and the system equipped with the USB hub controller according to the present embodiment are compared with the USB hub controller according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) and the system (see FIG. 2) equipped with the USB hub controller. The difference is that the memory interface 16 and the memory 21 are not provided. The rest is the same as the USB hub controller (see FIG. 1) and the system (see FIG. 2) in which the USB hub controller according to the first embodiment is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the USB hub controller 50 according to this embodiment includes a first hub controller 51, a second hub controller 52, a port information storage unit 53, a first up port terminal 54, a second An up port terminal 55, a plurality of first down port terminals 57_1 to 57_N, and a plurality of second down port terminals 58_1 to 58_N are provided. Here, N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and corresponds to the number of first and second downport terminals.

  The first hub controller 51, the second hub controller 52, the first up port terminal 54, the second up port terminal 55, the plurality of first down port terminals 57_1 to 57_N, and the plurality shown in FIG. The second down port terminals 58_1 to 58_N of the first hub controller 11, the second hub controller 12, the first up port terminal 14, the second up port terminal 15, and the memory interface shown in FIG. 16, since it is the same as the plurality of first downport terminals 17_1 to 17_N and the plurality of second downport terminals 18_1 to 18_N, the duplicated description is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a system 60 (for example, a USB hub) equipped with the USB hub controller 50 shown in FIG. That is, the system 60 shown in FIG. 7 is configured by mounting the USB hub controller 50, which is a semiconductor chip, on the mounting board 65 including the external connection up port connector 62 and the external connection down port connectors 63_1 to 63_4. Can do.

  The external connection upport connector 62 and the external connection downport connectors 63_1 to 63_4 shown in FIG. 7 are the same as the external connection upport connector 22 and the external connection downport connectors 23_1 to 23_4 shown in FIG. 2, respectively. Therefore, redundant description is omitted.

  The port information storage unit 53 included in the USB hub controller 50 includes a connection between the first down port terminals 57_1 to 57_N and the external connection down port connectors 63_1 to 63_4, and an external connection with the second down port terminals 58_1 to 58_N. Port information related to the connection with the down port connectors 63_1 to 63_4 can be stored.

  Note that an example of the port information stored in the port information storage unit 53 is the same as in the case of FIG. 3 (see the first embodiment), and a duplicate description is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the port information storage unit 53 receives port information as shown in FIG. 3 via the first up port terminal 54 and the first hub controller 51 or the second up port terminal 55 and Obtained via the second hub controller 52. In other words, after the USB hub controller (semiconductor chip) 50 is mounted on the mounting board 65, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector is ported using system software or system firmware. Information can be written in the port information storage unit 53. At this time, the port information is transmitted from the upstream side through the external connection upport connector 62, the first upport terminal 54, and the first hub controller 51, or from the external connection upport connector 62, the second. Are supplied to the port information storage unit 53 via the up port terminal 55 and the second hub controller 52.

  For example, the user who built the system 60 equipped with the USB hub controller 50 can rewrite the port information in the port information storage unit 53 by rewriting the system software or system firmware.

  Since the other configuration and operation of the port information storage unit 53 are the same as those of the port information storage unit 13 described in the first embodiment, the redundant description is omitted.

  The USB hub controller according to the present embodiment can achieve the same effects as the USB hub controller according to the first embodiment. That is, even when hub controllers having different standards are mixed, a system including a USB hub controller and a USB hub controller capable of appropriately managing ports according to the installed system can be provided.

  In particular, in the USB hub controller 50 according to the present embodiment, the port information storage unit 53 is connected via the first up port terminal 54 and the first hub controller 51 or the second up port terminal 55 and the second port port. The port information is acquired via the hub controller 52 of the above. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a memory interface for the port information storage unit 53 to communicate with a memory provided outside, the device configuration can be simplified. Also in the system 60 including the USB hub controller 50, it is not necessary to provide a memory storing port information and wiring connecting the memory and the memory interface of the USB hub controller 50, and the device configuration can be simplified. .

<Embodiment 4>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the USB host controller according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system equipped with a USB host controller according to the present embodiment. Compared to the USB host controller and the system (see FIG. 5) in which the USB host controller and the USB host controller according to the second embodiment (see FIG. 4) are mounted, The difference is that the memory interface 36 and the memory 41 are not provided. The rest is the same as the USB host controller (see FIG. 4) and the system (see FIG. 5) in which the USB host controller according to the second embodiment is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the USB host controller 70 according to the present embodiment includes a first host controller 71, a second host controller 72, a port information storage unit 73, a host interface 74, and a plurality of first down ports. Terminals 77_1 to 77_N and a plurality of second down port terminals 78_1 to 78_N are provided. Here, N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and corresponds to the number of first and second downport terminals.

  The first host controller 71, the second host controller 72, the host interface 74, the plurality of first downport terminals 77_1 to 77_N, and the plurality of second downport terminals 78_1 to 78_N shown in FIG. , Similar to the first host controller 31, the second host controller 32, the host interface 34, the plurality of first down port terminals 37_1 to 37_N, and the plurality of second down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N shown in FIG. Therefore, a duplicate description is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a system 80 equipped with the USB host controller 70 shown in FIG. That is, the system 80 shown in FIG. 9 can be configured by mounting the USB host controller 70, which is a semiconductor chip, on the mounting board 85 including the external connection downport connectors 83_1 to 83_4.

  The external connection downport connectors 83_1 to 83_4 shown in FIG. 9 are the same as the external connection downport connectors 43_1 to 43_4 shown in FIG.

  The port information storage unit 73 included in the USB host controller 70 is connected to the first down port terminals 77_1 to 77_N and the external connection down port connectors 83_1 to 83_4, and to the second down port terminals 78_1 to 78_N and external connection. Port information related to the connection with the down port connectors 83_1 to 83_4 can be stored.

  Note that an example of the port information stored in the port information storage unit 73 is the same as that in the case of FIG. 3 (see the first embodiment), and a duplicate description is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the port information storage unit 73 receives port information as shown in FIG. 3 via the host interface 74 and the first host controller 71 or via the host interface 74 and the second host controller 72. Get. That is, after the USB host controller (semiconductor chip) 70 is mounted on the mounting board 85, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector is ported using system software or system firmware Information can be written in the port information storage unit 73. At this time, the port information is transmitted from the upstream side (for example, PC) via the host interface 74 and the first host controller 71, or via the host interface 74 and the second host controller 72. It is supplied to the storage unit 73.

  For example, the user who built the system 80 equipped with the USB host controller 70 can rewrite the port information in the port information storage unit 73 by rewriting the system software or system firmware.

  Since the other configuration and operation of the port information storage unit 73 are the same as those of the port information storage unit 33 described in the second embodiment, a duplicate description is omitted.

  The USB host controller according to the present embodiment can achieve the same effects as the USB host controller according to the second embodiment. That is, even when host controllers having different standards are mixed, it is possible to provide a USB host controller and a system including the USB host controller that can appropriately manage ports according to the installed system.

  In particular, in the USB host controller 70 according to the present embodiment, the port information storage unit 73 is connected via the host interface 74 and the first host controller 71, or via the host interface 74 and the second host controller 72. Obtaining port information. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a memory interface for the port information storage unit 73 to communicate with a memory provided outside, the device configuration can be simplified. Also in the system 80 including the USB host controller 70, it is not necessary to provide a memory storing port information and wiring connecting the memory and the memory interface of the USB host controller 70, and the device configuration can be simplified. .

<Embodiment 5>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system including a USB hub controller according to the present embodiment. A system 90 (for example, a USB hub) shown in FIG. 10 includes the USB hub controller 10 according to the first embodiment. Note that the configuration and operation of the USB hub controller 10 used in the present embodiment are the same as those of the USB hub controller 10 described in the first embodiment, so the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. A duplicate description is omitted.

  A system 90 shown in FIG. 10 includes a USB hub controller 10, a route control unit 91, an external connection up port connector 92, external connection down port connectors 93_1 to 93_4, and a switching circuit 94. The system 90 mounts the USB hub controller 10 that is a semiconductor chip on a mounting board 95 including a route control unit 91, an external connection upport connector 92, external connection downport connectors 93_1 to 93_4, and a switching circuit 94. Can be configured.

  The first up port terminal 14 and the second up port terminal 15 included in the USB hub controller 10 are connected to an external connection up port connector 92. Here, the external connection upport connector 92 is a connector connected to a USB host controller or the like located on the upstream side of the system 90.

  The switching circuit 94 connects the plurality of external connection downport connectors 93_1 to 93_4 and the plurality of first downport terminals 17_1 to 17_N, and the plurality of external connection downport connectors 93_1 to 93_4 and the plurality of second connection ports. The connection with the down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N can be switched.

  For example, the switching circuit 94 includes a switch element between the first down port terminal 17_1 and each of the external connection down port connectors 93_1 to 93_4. The connection / non-connection between the down port terminal 17_1 and the external connection down port connectors 93_1 to 93_4 can be switched. For example, when the first down port terminal 17_1 and the external connection down port connector 93_1 are connected, the switch element between the first down port terminal 17_1 and the external connection down port connector 93_1 is turned on. The other switch elements (that is, switch elements between the first down port terminal 17_1 and the external connection down port connectors 93_2 to 93_4) are turned off. The same applies to the first down port terminals 17_2 to 17_N.

  Each of the first down port terminals 17_1 to 17_N is connected to only one external connection down port connector. That is, one first down port terminal is not connected to a plurality of external connection down port connectors. Further, when the first down port terminal 17_1 is not connected to any of the external connection down port connectors, all of the first down port terminals 17_1 and the external connection down port connectors 93_1 to 93_4 are connected. The switch element is turned off.

  Similarly, the switching circuit 94 includes a switch element between the second down port terminal 18_1 and each of the external connection down port connectors 93_1 to 93_4. By switching the switch element on and off, The connection / non-connection between the two down port terminals 18_1 and the external connection down port connectors 93_1 to 93_4 can be switched. The same applies to the second down port terminals 18_2 to 18_N.

  Each of the second down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N is connected to only one external connection down port connector. That is, one second downport terminal is not connected to a plurality of external connection downport connectors. When the second downport terminal 18_1 is not connected to any of the external connection downport connectors, all the ports between the second downport terminal 18_1 and the respective external connection downport connectors 93_1 to 93_4 are used. The switch element is turned off.

  The route control unit 91 connects the plurality of external connection downport connectors 93_1 to 93_4 and the plurality of first downport terminals 17_1 to 17_N, and the plurality of external connection downport connectors 93_1 to 93_4 and the plurality of second connection ports. The connection to the down port terminals 18_1 to 18_N is controlled. For example, the route control unit 91 controls the switching circuit 94 based on the port information supplied from the setting device, thereby connecting the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector. Can be switched. The port information is supplied to the route control unit 91 via the terminal 96, for example.

  Further, the route control unit 91 supplies port information to the port information storage unit 13 via the memory interface 16. The port information storage unit 13 supplies port information to the first hub controller 11 and the second hub controller 12. Thereby, the 1st hub controller 11 and the 2nd hub controller 12 can grasp | ascertain the connection state of the 1st and 2nd down port terminal and the down port connector for external connection. Note that an example of the port information stored in the port information storage unit 13 is the same as that in the case of FIG. 3 (see the first embodiment), and thus a duplicate description is omitted.

  Each of the first hub controller 11 and the second hub controller 12 performs data transfer processing based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit 13. That is, the first hub controller 11 and the second hub controller 12 notify the total number of external connection down port connectors to the system software based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit 13, Performs packet routing processing.

  In the system including the USB hub controller according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a route control unit 91 may be provided outside the mounting board 95 and the memory interface 16 may be omitted. In this case, the system 90 ′ including the USB hub controller according to the present embodiment includes the USB hub controller 50 according to the third embodiment.

  In the system 90 ′ illustrated in FIG. 11, the route control unit supplies a signal for controlling the switching circuit 94 to the switching circuit 94 via the terminal 97. Further, the route control unit is connected to the external connection upport connector 92, the first upport terminal 54, and the first hub controller 51, or through the external connection upport connector 92, the second upport terminal 55. The port information is supplied to the port information storage unit 53 via the second hub controller 52.

  In the system including the USB hub controller according to the present embodiment, the connection between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector can be flexibly switched using the switching circuit 94. Further, port information corresponding to the connection state of the switching circuit 94 can be stored in the port information storage unit. Therefore, even after the USB hub controllers 10 and 50 are mounted on the mounting board 95, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector can be easily changed.

<Embodiment 6>
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a system including a USB host controller according to the present embodiment. A system 100 shown in FIG. 12 includes a USB host controller 30 according to the second embodiment. Note that the configuration and operation of the USB host controller 30 used in the present embodiment are the same as those of the USB host controller 30 described in the second embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted.

  A system 100 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a USB host controller 30, a route control unit 101, external connection downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4, and a switching circuit 104. The system 100 can be configured by mounting the USB host controller 30, which is a semiconductor chip, on a mounting substrate 105 including a route control unit 101, external connection downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4, and a switching circuit 104.

  The host interface 34 included in the USB host controller 30 is connected to a bus (not shown) on the upstream side.

  The switching circuit 104 connects the plurality of external connection downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4 and the plurality of first downport terminals 37_1 to 37_N, and the plurality of external connection downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4 and the plurality of second connection ports. The connection with the down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N can be switched.

  For example, the switching circuit 104 includes a switch element between the first downport terminal 37_1 and each of the external connection downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4. The connection / non-connection between the down port terminal 37_1 and the external connection down port connectors 103_1 to 103_4 can be switched. For example, when the first downport terminal 37_1 and the external connection downport connector 103_1 are connected, the switch element between the first downport terminal 37_1 and the external connection downport connector 103_1 is turned on. The other switch elements (that is, switch elements between the first down port terminal 37_1 and the external connection down port connectors 103_2 to 103_4) are turned off. The same applies to the first down port terminals 37_2 to 37_N.

  Each of the first down port terminals 37_1 to 37_N is connected to only one external connection down port connector. That is, one first down port terminal is not connected to a plurality of external connection down port connectors. Further, when the first down port terminal 37_1 is not connected to any of the external connection down port connectors, all of the first down port terminals 37_1 and the external connection down port connectors 103_1 to 103_4 are all connected. The switch element is turned off.

  Similarly, the switching circuit 104 includes a switch element between the second downport terminal 38_1 and each of the external connection downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4. By switching the switch element on and off, The connection / non-connection between the second down port terminal 38_1 and the external connection down port connectors 103_1 to 103_4 can be switched. The same applies to the second down port terminals 38_2 to 38_N.

  Each of the second down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N is connected to only one external connection down port connector. That is, one second downport terminal is not connected to a plurality of external connection downport connectors. Further, when the second downport terminal 38_1 is not connected to any of the external connection downport connectors, all the downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4 between the second downport terminal 38_1 and the respective external connection downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4 are used. The switch element is turned off.

  The route control unit 101 connects the plurality of external connection downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4 and the plurality of first downport terminals 37_1 to 37_N, and the plurality of external connection downport connectors 103_1 to 103_4 and the plurality of second connection ports. The connection to the down port terminals 38_1 to 38_N is controlled. For example, the route control unit 101 controls the switching circuit 104 based on the port information supplied from the setting device, thereby connecting the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector. Can be switched. The port information is supplied to the route control unit 101 via the terminal 106, for example.

  In addition, the route control unit 101 supplies port information to the port information storage unit 33 via the memory interface 36. The port information storage unit 33 supplies port information to the first host controller 31 and the second host controller 32. Thereby, the first host controller 31 and the second host controller 32 can grasp the connection state between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector. Note that an example of the port information stored in the port information storage unit 33 is the same as in the case of FIG. 3 (see the first embodiment), and a duplicate description is omitted.

  Each of the first host controller 31 and the second host controller 32 performs data transfer processing based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit 33. That is, the first host controller 31 and the second host controller 32 notify the total number of external connection down port connectors to the system software based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit 33, Performs packet routing processing.

  In the system including the USB host controller according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the route control unit 101 may be provided outside the mounting substrate 105 and the memory interface 36 may be omitted. In this case, the system 100 ′ including the USB host controller according to the present embodiment includes the USB host controller 70 according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the system 100 ′ illustrated in FIG. 13, the route control unit supplies a signal for controlling the switching circuit 104 to the switching circuit 104 via the terminal 107. Further, the route control unit supplies port information to the port information storage unit 73 via the host interface 74 and the first host controller 71 or via the host interface 74 and the second host controller 72.

  In the system including the USB host controller according to the present embodiment, the connection between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector can be flexibly switched using the switching circuit 104. In addition, port information corresponding to the connection state of the switching circuit 104 can be stored in the port information storage unit. Therefore, even after the USB host controllers 30 and 70 are mounted on the mounting board 105, the connection relationship between the first and second downport terminals and the external connection downport connector can be easily changed.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention of the claims of the claims of the present application. It goes without saying that various modifications, corrections, and combinations are included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 USB hub controller 11 1st hub controller 12 2nd hub controller 13 Port information storage part 14 1st up port terminal 15 2nd up port terminal 16 Memory interface 17_1 to 17_N 1st down port terminal 18_1 to 18_N Second down port terminal 20 System 21 Memory 22 Up port connector for external connection 23_1 to 23_4 Down port connector for external connection 25 Mounting board 30 USB host controller 31 First host controller 32 Second host controller 33 Port information storage unit 34 Host interface 36 Memory interface 37_1 to 37_N First down port terminal 38_1 to 38_N Second down port terminal

Claims (20)

Connected to the first up port terminal connectable to the external connection up port connector and the plurality of first down port terminals connectable to the plurality of external connection down port connectors, respectively, and data is transmitted in the first transfer method. A first hub controller for transferring
The first transfer is connected to the second up port terminal connectable to the external connection up port connector and the plurality of second down port terminals connectable to the plurality of external connection down port connectors. A second hub controller for transferring data by a second transfer method having a transfer speed slower than that of the method;
Port information regarding connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of first downport terminals, and connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of second downport terminals. A port information storage unit that can be stored,
The first and second hub controllers perform data transfer processing based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit.
USB hub controller. The USB hub controller further includes a memory interface,
The port information storage unit obtains the port information from a memory provided outside via the memory interface;
The USB hub controller according to claim 1.   The port information storage unit is configured to connect the external connection up port via the first up port terminal and the first hub controller, or via the second up port terminal and the second hub controller. The USB hub controller according to claim 1, wherein the port information is acquired from a device connected to the connector. The first hub controller is a hub controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard capable of transferring data in the super speed mode,
The second hub controller is a hub controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard capable of transferring data in a high speed mode, a full speed mode, and a low speed mode.
The USB hub controller according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The first hub controller detects whether or not the USB device device supports the super speed mode when the USB device device is connected, and the USB device device supports the super speed mode. 5. The USB hub controller according to claim 4, wherein data is transferred in the super speed mode when it is present.   The second hub controller detects, when a USB device device is connected, whether the USB device device is compatible with any of the high speed mode, the full speed mode, and the low speed mode. 5. If the USB device device supports any one of the high speed mode, the full speed mode, and the low speed mode, data is transferred in a mode supported by the USB device device. USB hub controller described in 1. A USB hub controller according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
A mounting board having the up port connector for external connection and the down port connector for external connection, on which the USB hub controller is mounted.   The system according to claim 7, wherein the memory storing the port information is provided on the mounting board.   The wiring between the external connection downport connector and the plurality of first downport terminals and the wiring between the external connection downport connector and the plurality of second downport terminals are fixed. The system according to claim 7, wherein the system is wired by using a separate wiring. A route for controlling connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of first downport terminals, and connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of second downport terminals. A control unit;
The plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of first downport terminals, and the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality according to the control signal output from the route control unit And a switching circuit for switching the connection with the second downport terminal.
The port information storage unit acquires the port information from the route control unit;
The system according to claim 7 or 8. A first host that is connected to a plurality of first downport terminals that can be connected to a plurality of downport connectors for external connection and a host interface that can be connected to a predetermined system, and transfers data by the first transfer method. A controller,
A plurality of second downport terminals each connectable to the plurality of external connection downport connectors, and the second transfer method connected to the host interface and having a transfer rate slower than that of the first transfer method. A second host controller for transferring
Port information regarding connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of first downport terminals, and connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of second downport terminals. A port information storage unit that can be stored,
The first and second host controllers perform data transfer processing based on the port information stored in the port information storage unit.
USB host controller. The USB host controller further includes a memory interface,
The port information storage unit obtains the port information from a memory provided outside via the memory interface;
The USB host controller according to claim 11.   The USB according to claim 11, wherein the port information storage unit acquires the port information via the host interface and the first host controller, or via the host interface and the second host controller. Host controller. The first host controller is a host controller compliant with the USB 3.0 standard capable of transferring data in the super speed mode,
The second host controller is a host controller compliant with the USB 2.0 standard capable of transferring data in a high speed mode, a full speed mode, and a low speed mode.
The USB host controller according to claim 11.   The first host controller detects whether the USB device device supports the super speed mode when the USB device device is connected, and the USB device device supports the super speed mode. The USB host controller according to claim 14, wherein data is transferred in the super speed mode when it is present.   When the USB device device is connected, the second host controller detects whether the USB device device is compatible with any of the high speed mode, the full speed mode, and the low speed mode. The data is transferred in a mode supported by the USB device device when the USB device device supports any of the high speed mode, the full speed mode, and the low speed mode. The USB host controller described in 1. A USB host controller according to any one of claims 11 to 16,
And a mounting board on which the USB host controller is mounted, the system including the down port connector for external connection.   The system according to claim 17, wherein the memory storing the port information is provided on the mounting board.   The wiring between the external connection downport connector and the plurality of first downport terminals and the wiring between the external connection downport connector and the plurality of second downport terminals are fixed. 19. The system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the system is wired using a separate wiring. A route for controlling connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of first downport terminals, and connection between the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of second downport terminals. A control unit;
The plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality of first downport terminals, and the plurality of external connection downport connectors and the plurality according to the control signal output from the route control unit And a switching circuit for switching the connection with the second downport terminal.
The port information storage unit acquires the port information from the route control unit;
The system according to claim 17 or 18.

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