Method and system for utilizing low power superspeed inter-chip (LP-SSIC) communications
Inter-chip connectivity may be provided in a computing device, which may comprise a USB host and at and at least one USB device embedded within the computing device, based on Universal Serial Bus version 3.0 (USB3.0) interface. In this regard, internal communication of data between the USB host and embedded USB device may be performed via USB3.0 SuperSpeed signals. The USB host and/or the USB3.0 interface may be configured to enable USB3.0 internal communication of data, and to reduce power consumption during the internal communication of data compared to external USB3.0 communications. Configuration of the USB3.0 interface for internal communication of data may comprises modifying and/or adjusting physical (PHY) layer, link layer, and/or protocol layer related parameters, functions, resources, and/or operations. The USB3.0 SuperSpeed signals may be communication using scalable low voltage signaling (SLVS). In this regard, Input/Output (IO) Swing may be set based on loopback training sequence.
1. A method in a computing device that comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) host and a USB slave device, wherein said computing device is configured to support use of a USB interface, the method comprising:
configuring said USB host to utilize said USB interface during communication of data within said computing device, wherein said configuration comprises configuring one or more power consumption reduction parameters that control said USB host or said USB interface; and
using scalable low voltage signaling (SLVS) while communicating said data between said USB host and said USB slave device using a USB defined inter-chip communication based on said configuration, said using SLVS including raising an input/output voltage swing in said USB host or in said USB slave device when an error is detected while communicating said data, and lowering said input/output voltage swing when said error is not detected.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said computing device comprises: a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server, a smartphone, or a handheld personal communication device.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said configuration comprises:
modifying or adjusting physical (PHY) layer, link layer, or protocol layer related parameters, functions, resources, or operations of said USB interface for said communication of data.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said using SLVS further comprises:
setting the input/output voltage swing for communicating said data based on a loopback training sequence.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said setting the input/output voltage swing further comprises:
setting said input/output voltage swing to a default value at a start of said loopback training sequence.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
modifying a link operation state during said communication of data, wherein said modification comprises turning off a Phased Locked Loop (PLL) used for said USB defined inter-chip communication.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
setting shortest maximum trace length for target form-factor (FR) associated with said communication of data based on a determination of a type of said computing device.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
disabling operations of a second USB defined inter-chip communication during communications with said USB slave device.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein said disabling comprises:
removing links related to said second USB defined inter-chip communication, Physical (PHY) layer support, or Phased Locked Loop (PLLs), or disabling a jump to one or more states related to said second USB defined inter-chip communication in at least one USB state machine.
10. A computing device comprising:
a Universal Serial Bus (USB) host;
a USB slave device; and
a USB interface, wherein
said USB host or said USB slave device is configured to utilize said USB interface during communication of data within said computing device, to configure one or more power consumption reduction parameters, and to use scalable low voltage signaling (SLVS) while communicating said data between said USB host and said USB slave device using a USB defined inter-chip communication based on said configuration, wherein
to use said SLVS, said USB host or said USB slave device is configured to raise an input/output voltage swing associated with communication of said data when an error is detected while communicating said data, and to lower said input/output voltage swing when said error is not detected.
11. The computing device according to claim 10 , wherein the computing device is one of: a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server, a smartphone, or a handheld personal communication device.
12. The computing device according to claim 10 , wherein said USB host or said at least one USB slave device is configured to modify or adjust a physical (PHY) layer, a link layer, or protocol layer related parameters, functions, resources, or operations of said USB interface for said communication of data.
13. The computing device according to claim 10 , wherein said USB host or said USB slave device is configured to set the input/output swing for said communication of data based on a loopback training sequence.
14. The computing device according to claim 13 , wherein said USB host or said USB slave device is configured to set said input/output swing to a default value at a start of said loopback training.
15. The computing device according to claim 10 , wherein said USB host or said USB slave device is configured to modify a link operation state during said communication of data, wherein said modification comprises turning off a Phased Locked Loop (PLL) used for said USB defined inter-chip communication.
16. The computing device according to claim 10 , wherein said USB host or said USB slave device is configured to set a shortest maximum trace length for target form-factor (FR) associated with said communication of data based on a determination of a type of said computing device.
17. The computing device according to claim 10 , wherein said USB host or said USB slave device is configured to disable operations of a second USB defined inter-chip communication during communication with said USB slave device.
18. The computing device according to claim 17 , wherein said USB host or said USB slave device is configured to remove links related to said second USB defined inter-chip communication, Physical (PHY) layer support, or Phased Locked Loop (PLLs), or to disable a jump to one or more states related to said second USB defined inter-chip communication in at least one USB state machine to disable said operations of said second USB defined inter-chip communication.
19. A universal serial bus (USB) host device capable of supporting low-powered super speed USB communication, said USB host comprising:
a transmitter configured to transmit, to a USB device, a message in a predetermined pattern when a loopback sequence associated with said USB device has been initiated; and
a processor configured to:
detect an error associated with transmission of said message; and
raise an input/output voltage swing in said USB host or in said USB device by a predetermined step-size when said error is detected, and to lower said input/output voltage swings by said predetermined step-size when said error is not detected.