TW201945950A - Control device and related computer application program product - Google Patents

Abstract

A control device includes a first multiplexor, coupled with super-speed differential pair pins; a second multiplexor, coupled with non-super-speed differential pair pins; a configuration circuit, configured to receive a channel information signal and a power information signal from an external device, wherein the configuration circuit controls the first multiplexor and the second multiplexor and generates a channel configuration instruction based on the channel information signal, and generates a power configuration instruction based on the power information signal; a control circuit, configured to control an external power module based on the power configuration instruction; a high-frequency oscillation circuit, configured to provide a high-frequency clock signal to the control circuit and the configuration circuit; a power management circuit, configured to provide multiple operation voltages to the first multiplexor, the second multiplexor, the control circuit and the high-frequency oscillation circuit; wherein the control circuit controls the power management circuit based on the channel configuration instruction and the power configuration instruction to configure the first multiplexor, the second multiplexor, and the high-frequency oscillation circuit to be disable status.

Description

   Control device and related computer application products   

The present application relates to a control device suitable for a universal serial bus (USB).

Thin and light products are the design trend of the mobile device industry today. However, the thin and light design also reduces the space allocated to the battery, which in turn reduces the working time of mobile devices. Therefore, it is one of the current design trends to provide low power consumption components in mobile devices to extend the working time of mobile devices. However, whether or not a mobile device is connected to other devices through a USB interface, the conventional USB control device consumes almost the same power, thereby significantly reducing the working time of the mobile device.

In view of this, how to provide a USB control device and related computer application products capable of adaptively adjusting power consumption is a problem to be solved in the industry.

The invention provides a control device, which is coupled to an external device through an external interface circuit. The external interface circuit includes a plurality of high-speed differential pair terminals and a plurality of non-high-speed differential pair terminals. The control device includes a first multiplexer, a second multiplexer, a setting circuit, a control circuit, a high-frequency oscillation circuit, and a power supply circuit. The first multiplexer is used for coupling the plurality of high-speed differential pair terminals. The second multiplexer is used for coupling the plurality of non-high-speed differential pair terminals. The setting circuit is used for receiving a channel information signal and a power information signal from the external device, wherein the setting circuit controls the switching operation of the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer according to the channel information signal, and according to the The channel information signal and the power information signal respectively generate a channel setting instruction and a power setting instruction. The control circuit is used to control an external power supply module to provide a power output to the external device according to the power setting instruction. The high-frequency oscillation circuit is used to provide a high-frequency clock to the control circuit and the setting circuit. The power circuit is used to provide a plurality of operating voltages to the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer, the control circuit and the high-frequency oscillation circuit. The control circuit is further configured to control the power supply circuit according to the channel setting instruction and the power setting instruction to switch the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer, or the high-frequency oscillation circuit to a disabled state.

The present invention also provides a computer application program product stored in a non-transitory storage device of a control device, wherein the control device is coupled to an external device through an external interface circuit, and the external interface circuit includes A plurality of high-speed differential pair terminals and a plurality of non-high-speed differential pair terminals. A control circuit of the control device executes the computer application program product. The computer application product product includes: a transceiver module, a channel setting module, and a power setting. Modules and status switching modules. The transceiver module is used for receiving a channel setting instruction and a power setting instruction. The channel setting module is used to determine whether the control device is coupled to the external device according to the channel setting instruction. The power setting module is used to control an external power supply module to provide a power output to the external device according to the power setting instruction. The transceiver module is coupled to the channel setting module, the power setting module, and the state switching module. A power circuit of the control device is used to provide multiple working voltages to a first multiplex of the control device. A first multiplexer, a second multiplexer, and a high-frequency oscillator circuit, the first multiplexer is used to couple the high-speed differential pair terminals of the external interface circuit, and the second multiplexer is used to couple the external interface The plurality of non-high-speed differential pair terminals of the circuit, the state switching module is used to control the power supply circuit according to the channel setting instruction and the power setting instruction, so that the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer or The high-frequency oscillating circuit is switched to a disabled state.

As can be seen from the above, the control device can adaptively adjust its own power consumption. Therefore, when the control device is applied to a mobile device, the operating time of the mobile device can be effectively extended.

100‧‧‧control device

101‧‧‧External power supply module

102‧‧‧External Processor

103‧‧‧External interface circuit

104‧‧‧Power Path

105‧‧‧External device

110‧‧‧setting circuit

120‧‧‧The first multiplexer

130‧‧‧Second Multiplexer

140‧‧‧control circuit

142‧‧‧Storage device

144‧‧‧Computer application products

150‧‧‧High Frequency Oscillation Circuit

160‧‧‧Low Frequency Oscillation Circuit

170‧‧‧ Power Circuit

180‧‧‧sensing circuit

210‧‧‧ transceiver module

220‧‧‧channel setting module

230‧‧‧Power Setting Module

240‧‧‧Status Switching Module

302 ~ 320‧‧‧Process

Svch‧‧‧ Channel Information Signal

Scfg‧‧‧channel setting instruction

Sech‧‧‧ Power Information Signal

Sefg‧‧‧Power Setting Instructions

CKH‧‧‧High-frequency clock

CKL‧‧‧Low Frequency Clock

VDD‧‧‧ external voltage source

Vpw1‧‧‧First working voltage

Vpw2‧‧‧Second working voltage

Vpw3‧‧‧third working voltage

Vp‧‧‧Power output

CC1 / CC2‧‧‧ Set channel terminal

D1 + / D1-, D2 + / D2-‧‧‧ non-high-speed differential pair terminals

TX1 / RX1, TX2 / RX2‧‧‧High-speed differential pair terminal

VBUS‧‧‧ Bus Terminal

FIG. 1 is a simplified functional block diagram of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of the functional modules of the computer application program product of Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart of a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to related drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or method flows.

FIG. 1 is a simplified functional block diagram of a control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 100 includes a setting circuit 110, a first multiplexer 120, a second multiplexer 130, a control circuit 140, a high-frequency oscillation circuit 150, a low-frequency oscillation circuit 160, a power supply circuit 170, and a sensing device. Circuit 180. The control circuit 140 includes a non-transitory storage device 142, and the storage device 142 stores a computer application program product 144. The control device 100 can be used for coupling the external power supply module 101, the external processor 102, and the external interface circuit 103, and is coupled to the external device 105 through the external interface circuit 103. In addition, the external power supply module 101 and the external processor 102 are also coupled to the external device 105 through the external interface circuit 103. The control device 100 can execute a computer application program product 144 to control power transmission between the external power supply module 101 and the external device 105, and control data communication between the external processor 102 and the external device 105. In order to make the drawing simple and easy to explain, other components and connection relationships in the control device 100 are not shown in the first figure.

The setting circuit 110 is coupled to a pair of configuration channel terminals CC1 / CC2 of the external interface circuit 103. The first multiplexer 120 is coupled to two pairs of high-speed differential pair terminals TX1 / RX1 and TX2 / RX2 of the external interface circuit 103, and can selectively pair one of the high-speed differential pair terminals TX1 / RX1 and TX2 / RX2. Coupling to the external processor 102. The second multiplexer 130 is coupled to two non-high-speed differential pair terminals D1 + / D1- and D2 + / D2- of the external interface circuit 103, and can selectively connect the non-high-speed differential pair terminals D1 + / D1- and D2 + / One pair of D2- is coupled to the external processor 102. The sensing circuit 180 is coupled to a power path 104. The external power supply module 101 provides power output Vp to the external device 105 through the bus path VBUS of the power path 104 and the external interface circuit 103. The sensing circuit 180 is used to sense power The magnitude of the power output Vp on the path 104 is transmitted to the control circuit 140.

In practice, the external power supply module 101 may be implemented by a power management IC (PMIC) in a personal computer or a notebook computer and the like, and the external processor 102 may be a central processing unit in the above device. Or other system on chip (SoC) circuits to implement.

In addition, the external interface circuit 103 may be various USB type-C connectors on a device such as a mobile phone, a mobile power source, a notebook computer, a personal computer, or a tablet computer.

The setting circuit 110 receives the channel information signal Svch generated by the external device 105 from the setting channel terminals CC1 / CC2 of the external interface circuit 103 to determine the connection status of the external interface circuit 103. For example, the channel information signal Svch can reflect whether the external interface circuit 103 is connected to the external device 105 or the connection direction of the external interface circuit 103 and the external device 105. The setting circuit 110 can control the switching operation of the first multiplexer 130 and the second multiplexer 140 according to the connection direction represented by the channel information signal Svch, so that the external processor 102 is selectively coupled to the external interface circuit 103. One of the two pairs of high-speed differential pair terminals TX1 / RX1 and TX2 / RX2, or one of the two pairs of non-high-speed differential pair terminals D1 + / D1- and D2 + / D2-.

The setting circuit 110 is also used to receive the power information signal Sech generated by the external device 105 from the setting channel terminal CC1 / CC2, and output a power setting instruction Sefg to the control circuit 140 according to the power information signal Sech, wherein the power information signal Sech can reflect the external device 105 power requirements. The control circuit 140 controls the operation of the external power supply module 101 according to the power setting instruction Sefg and the sensing result of the sensing circuit 180, so that the external power supply module 101 transmits an appropriate power output Vp through the bus terminal VBUS of the external interface circuit 103 Provided to the external device 105. For example, the control circuit 140 can learn the power demand of the external device 105 according to the power setting instruction Sefg, and control the external power supply module 101 to correspondingly provide a power output Vp of 5V / 1A or 5V / 2A to the external device 105, and then The sensing result of the sensing circuit 180 determines whether the magnitude of the power output Vp is correct.

The high-frequency oscillating circuit 150 and the low-frequency oscillating circuit 160 respectively provide a high-frequency clock CKH and a low-frequency clock CKL as the working clock of the setting circuit 110 and the control circuit 140. The power supply circuit 170 converts the external voltage source VDD into first to third operating voltages Vpw1 to Vpw3, and provides the first operating voltage Vpw1 to the setting circuit 110 and the low-frequency oscillation circuit 160, and provides the second operating voltage Vpw2 to the first The multiplexer 120, the second multiplexer 130, the control circuit 140, and the sensing circuit 180 provide the third operating voltage Vpw3 to the high-frequency oscillation circuit 150.

In practice, the power supply circuit 170 may be implemented with various suitable low dropout linear regulators, and the power supply circuit 170, the external power supply module 101, and the external processor 102 may be powered by the same power system. For example, the power supply circuit 170 may be installed in the same notebook computer, personal computer, or mobile power supply device as the external power supply module 101 and the external processor 102, and the power is obtained by the power system of the foregoing device.

In addition, the high-frequency oscillating circuit 150 and the low-frequency oscillating circuit 160 may be implemented by various LC-capacitor oscillators and RC-resonator-capacitor oscillators, respectively.

The setting circuit 110 also outputs the channel setting instruction Scfg to the control circuit 140 according to the channel information signal Svch. The control circuit 140 then switches the operation state of the control device 100 according to the channel setting instruction Scfg and the aforementioned power setting instruction Sefg to adjust the control adaptively. Power consumption of the device 100. The operation of the control circuit 140 will be further described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of the functional modules of the computer application program product 144 in FIG. 1. The computer application program product 144 includes a transceiver module 210, a channel setting module 220, a power setting module 230, and a status switching module 240. The transceiver module 210 is coupled to the channel setting module 220, the power setting module 230, and a status. Switching module 240. The transceiver module 210 is configured to receive a channel setting instruction Scfg and a power setting instruction Sefg. The channel setting module 220 is configured to determine whether the control device 100 is coupled to the external device 105 according to the channel setting instruction Scfg. The power setting module 230 is configured to control the external power supply module 101 to provide an appropriate power output Vp according to the power setting instruction Sefg. The state switching module 240 is used to control whether the power supply circuit 170 outputs the aforementioned first to third operating voltages Vpw1 to Vpw3 according to the channel setting instruction Scfg and the power setting instruction Sefg.

FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart of a control method 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, a process located in a field to which a specific module belongs represents a process performed by the specific module. For example, the process marked in the “210” field represents the process performed by the transceiver module 210. When the control method 300 in FIG. 3 is performed, the control circuit 140 in the control device 100 executes a computer application program product 144, so that the control device 100 executes all or part of the processes in FIG.

When the control device 100 receives the external voltage source VDD or just performs a reset operation, the control device 100 enters the process 302. In the process 302, the state switching module 240 instructs the power supply circuit 170 to stop outputting the second working voltage Vpw2 and the third working voltage Vpw3. At this time, the first multiplexer 120, the second multiplexer 130, and the sensing circuit 180 receiving the second working voltage Vpw2 will enter a disabled state (for example, a power-off state), and receive the third working voltage Vpw3 as high as The frequency oscillating circuit 150 will also enter a disabled state.

Then, when the transceiver module 210 receives the channel setting instruction Scfg in the process 304, the channel setting module 220 executes the process 306 to determine whether the control device 100 is coupled to the external interface circuit 103 according to the channel setting instruction Scfg. If not, the state switching module 240 causes the control device 100 to repeatedly execute the process 302 to reduce the power consumption of the control device 100. If yes, the state switching module 240 causes the control device 100 to execute the process 308 next.

In the process 308, the state switching module 240 instructs the power supply circuit 170 to output the second working voltage Vpw2 and the third working voltage Vpw3. At this time, the first multiplexer 120, the second multiplexer 130, and the sensing circuit 180 receiving the second operating voltage Vpw2 will enter an enabled state (for example, a power-on state), and receive a high level of the third operating voltage Vpw3. The frequency oscillation circuit 150 also enters an enabled state.

Then, when the transceiver module 210 receives the power setting instruction Sefg in the process 310, the power setting module 230 executes the flow 312 to analyze the power demand of the external device 105 and control the external power supply module 101 according to the power setting instruction Sefg. Provide appropriate power output Vp.

In the process 314, the state switching module 240 determines whether the control device 100 has not received the power setting instruction Sefg for more than a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). If not, the transceiver module 210 repeats the process 310. That is, the transceiver module 210 and the power setting module 230 may execute the processes 310 to 314 multiple times to ensure that the power output Vp provided by the external power supply module 101 meets the current power demand of the external device 105.

On the other hand, if the control device 100 has not received the power setting instruction Sefg for more than a predetermined time (for example, 1 second), the state switching module 240 executes the process 316. In the process 316, the state switching module 240 switches the setting circuit 110 and the control circuit 140 from operating in accordance with the high-frequency clock CKH to operating in accordance with the low-frequency clock CKL, and instructs the power supply circuit 170 to stop outputting the third operating voltage Vpw3. To switch the high-frequency oscillating circuit 150 to a disabled state (for example, a power-off state). In this way, the control device 100 can be operated in a low power consumption operating state.

Next, in the process 318, when the transceiver module 210 receives the power setting instruction Sefg again, the power demand representing the external interface circuit 103 may be changed, so a new power information signal Sech is sent to the control device 100. At this time, the state switching module 240 executes the process 320.

In the process 320, the state switching module 240 instructs the power supply circuit 170 to output a third working voltage Vpw3 to switch the high-frequency oscillation circuit 150 to an enabled state (for example, a conductive state). In addition, the state switching module 240 switches the setting circuit 110 and the control circuit 140 to operate according to the high-frequency clock CKH, and responds to other information or requests that may be transmitted from the external device 105 in a timely manner. Then, the power setting module 230 executes the foregoing process 312 again, so that the external power supply module 101 adjusts the power output Vp according to the current power demand of the external device 105.

It is worth noting that if the control device 100 has not received the power setting instruction Sefg after entering the process 316, the control device 100 can continue to maintain a low power consumption working state.

It can be known from the above that, through the operations in the processes 316 to 320, even if the control device 100 is in a low-power operation state, the control device 100 can respond to the power demand change of the external device 105 in time, thereby adjusting the power output of the external power supply module 101 Vp.

In addition, when the control device 100 enters a low power consumption operating state, the power supply circuit 170 does not stop outputting the second operating voltage Vpw, so the operating states of the first multiplexer 120 and the second multiplexer 130 do not change. In this way, the data communication between the external processor 102 and the external device 105 will not be interrupted or delayed.

In some embodiments where the control circuit 140 can detect the output capability of the external power supply module 101, when the control device 100 is in a low-power operation state, and the control circuit 140 detects that the output capability of the external power supply module 101 is changed (For example, changing from a maximum of 5V / 2A to a maximum of 5V / 1A), the state switching module 240 also executes the process 320 to switch the setting circuit 110 and the control circuit 140 to operate according to the high-frequency clock CKH. At this time, the control circuit 140 uses the transceiver module 210 to update the output capability of the external power supply module 101 to the external device 105 so that the external device 105 adjusts the power demand accordingly.

Please note that the execution order of the processes in the foregoing flowcharts is only an exemplary embodiment, not a limitation of the actual implementation of the present invention.

For example, in some embodiments, the processes 304-306 may be executed in parallel with other processes to detect the connection status of the control device 100 and the external device 105 at any time.

For another example, in other embodiments, the process 314 may be executed in parallel with the processes 310 to 312 to detect at any time whether the control circuit 140 has not received the power setting instruction Sefg for more than a predetermined period of time.

From the above, it can be known that by executing the computer application program product 144, the control device 100 can control the power supply module 101 according to the power demand change of the external device 105 in a timely manner while adaptively saving power, without affecting the external processors 103 and Data communication between the external devices 105. Therefore, when the control device 100 is applied to a mobile electronic device with limited power, the operating time of the mobile electronic device can be effectively extended without affecting the working efficiency of the mobile electronic device.

Certain terms are used in the description and the scope of patent applications to refer to specific elements. However, it should be understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field that the same elements may be referred to by different names. The scope of the specification and patent application does not take the difference in names as a way to distinguish components, but rather uses the difference in functions of components as a basis for distinguishing. "Inclusion" mentioned in the specification and the scope of patent application is an open-ended term, so it should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". In addition, "coupled" includes any direct or indirect means of connection. Therefore, if the first element is described as being coupled to the second element, it means that the first element can be directly connected to the second element through electrical connection or signal connection methods such as wireless transmission or optical transmission, or through other elements or connections. Means are indirectly electrically or signally connected to the second element.

The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and any equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

    A control device is coupled to an external device through an external interface circuit. The external interface circuit includes a plurality of high-speed differential pair terminals and a plurality of non-high-speed differential pair terminals. The control device includes: a first multiplexer, A second multiplexer for coupling the plurality of non-high-speed differential pair terminals; a setting circuit for receiving a channel information signal from the external device and A power information signal, wherein the setting circuit controls the switching operation of the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer according to the channel information signal, and generates a channel setting instruction and A power setting instruction; a control circuit for controlling an external power supply module to provide a power output to the external device according to the power setting instruction; a high frequency oscillation circuit for providing a high frequency clock to the control circuit and The setting circuit; and a power supply circuit for providing a plurality of operating voltages to the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer, the control circuit and the high-frequency oscillation circuit; , The control circuit is further provided for controlling the channel according to the instruction of the instruction set and the power supply circuit to the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer, or the high-frequency oscillation circuit is switched to the disabled state.         For example, if the control device of claim 1 is used, if the control circuit judges that the control device is not coupled to the external device according to the channel setting instruction, the control circuit will pass the first multiplexer, the second The multiplexer and the high-frequency oscillating circuit are switched to a disabled state.         For example, the control device of claim 2, wherein when the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer, and the high-frequency oscillation circuit are in a disabled state, if the control circuit determines that the control device is coupled according to the channel setting instruction Connected to the external device, the control circuit switches the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer and the high-frequency oscillation circuit to an enabled state through the power circuit.         For example, the control device of claim 1 further includes: a low-frequency oscillation circuit for generating a low-frequency clock; wherein, if the control device is coupled to the external device, and the control circuit does not receive the control device within a predetermined time, Power setting instruction, the control circuit will switch the setting circuit and the control circuit from operating according to the high-frequency clock to operating according to the low-frequency clock, and switch the high-frequency oscillation circuit to disable through the power circuit status.         As the control device of claim 4, wherein when the setting circuit and the control circuit operate according to the low frequency clock, if the control circuit receives the power setting instruction, the control circuit will pass the high frequency through the power circuit The oscillating circuit is switched to an enabled state, and the setting circuit and the control circuit are switched to operate according to the high-frequency clock.         For example, the control device of claim 4, wherein when the setting circuit and the control circuit operate according to the low frequency clock, if the control circuit detects a change in the output capability of the external power supply module, the control circuit will pass through the The power circuit switches the high-frequency oscillation circuit to an enabled state, and switches the setting circuit and the control circuit to operate according to the high-frequency clock.         A computer application program product is stored in a non-transitory storage device of a control device, wherein the control device is coupled to an external device through an external interface circuit, and the external interface circuit includes a plurality of high-speed differential pair terminals and multiple A non-high-speed differential pair terminal, a control circuit of the control device executes the computer application product, the computer application product includes: a transceiver module for receiving a channel setting instruction and a power setting instruction; a channel A setting module for determining whether the control device is coupled to the external device according to the channel setting instruction; a power setting module for controlling an external power supply module to provide an electric power output to the external device according to the power setting instruction ; And a state switching module, wherein the transceiver module is coupled to the channel setting module, the power setting module and the state switching module; wherein a power circuit of the control device is used to provide multiple operating voltages to A first multiplexer, a second multiplexer and a high-frequency oscillating circuit of the control device, the first multiplexer is used for coupling The plurality of high-speed differential pair terminals, the second multiplexer for coupling the plurality of non-high-speed differential pair terminals, and the state switching module for controlling the power circuit according to the channel setting instruction and the power setting instruction, To switch the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer or the high-frequency oscillator circuit to a disabled state.         For example, the computer application product of claim 7, wherein if the channel setting module judges that the control device is not coupled to the external device, the state switching module will pass the first multiplexer, the first The two multiplexers and the high-frequency oscillating circuit are switched to a disabled state.         For example, the computer application program product of claim 8, wherein when the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer, and the high-speed oscillating circuit are in a disabled state, if the channel setting module determines that the control device is coupled to In the external device, the state switching module switches the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer, and the high-frequency oscillation circuit to an enabled state through the power circuit.         For example, the computer application product of claim 7, wherein when the high-frequency oscillating circuit is in a disabled state and the setting circuit and the control circuit operate according to a low-frequency clock, if the control circuit detects the external power supply The output capability of the module changes. The state switching module switches the high-frequency oscillation circuit to an enabled state through the power circuit, and switches the setting circuit and the control circuit to operate according to the high-frequency clock.