# US 8,572,306 B2 · USB transaction translator and USB transaction translation method

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- Number: US 8,572,306 B2
- Document ID: US8572306B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/089,834
- Filed: 2011-04-19
- Published: 2012-06-07
- Granted: 2013-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 2010-12-02
- Assignees: VIA Technologies, Inc.
- Applicants: Jiin Lai; Chin-Sung Hsu; Terrance Shiyang Shih; Jinkuan Tang; Buheng Xu; Hui Jiang
- Inventors: Jiin Lai; Chin-Sung Hsu; Terrance Shiyang Shih; Jinkuan Tang; Buheng Xu; Hui Jiang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8572306B2

## CPC

- G06F 13/4059: {where the synchronisation uses buffers, e.g. for speed matching between buses}
- G06F 13/4291: {using a clocked protocol}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

The present invention is directed to a universal serial bus (USB) transaction translator and a micro-frame synchronization method. A device interface is coupled to a device via a device bus, and a host interface is coupled to a host via a host bus, wherein the host USB version is higher than the device USB version. At least two buffers configured to store data are disposed between the device interface and the host interface. A controller stores the data in the buffers alternately. A start-of-frame (SOF) counter is used to count the SOF packets, wherein the counting value of the SOF counter is compared to a predefined value. Specifically, the controller resets a SOF timer for sending the SOF packet when the counting value achieves the predefined value or is greater than the predefined value, such that the SOF packet and an isochronous timestamp packet (ITP) from the host are sent at the same time. Further, the controller delays the sending of the SOF packet for a period of time according to the ITP from the host. In another embodiment, the sending period of SOF packets may be dynamically adjusted in isochronous transfer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A Universal Serial Bus (USB) transaction translator, comprising:
a device interface coupled to a device via a device bus;
a host interface coupled to a host via a host bus, wherein the host has a USB version higher than the USB version of the device;
at least one buffer configured to store data, the buffer being disposed between the device interface and the host interface;
a controller configured to store the data in the buffer and to determine to adjust a sending period of SOF packets dynamically;
a start-of-frame (SOF) timer configured to perform timing control according to the dynamically-adjusted sending period of SOF packets from the controller; and
a SOF generator configured to dynamically generate the SOF packets under control of the controller.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The USB transaction translator of claim 1, wherein the device interface comprises a timing generator configured to dynamically adjust a bit rate over the device bus.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The USB transaction translator of claim 1, further comprising a register configured to record configuration information of the device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The USB transaction translator of claim 1, in bulk transfer, the controller controls the SOF timer and the SOF generator to stop sending the SOF packets.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The USB transaction translator of claim 1, in isochronous transfer, the controller lowers a micro-frame time.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The USB transaction translator of claim 1, wherein the USB version of the host is USB 3.0, and the USB version of the device is USB 2.0.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The USB transaction translator of claim 3, wherein the configuration information is descriptor.

### Claim 8

A USB transaction translation method, comprising:
coupling a device interface to a device via a device bus;
coupling a host interface to a host via a host bus, wherein the host has a USB version higher than the USB version of the device;
determining information transfer type;
dynamically adjusting a sending period of SOF packets when isochronous transfer is determined; and
periodically sending the SOF packets to the device according to the adjusted sending period.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the information transfer type is determined according to descriptor from the device or configuration information from a register.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, when a bulk transfer is determined as the information transfer type, the SOF packets are stopped from being sent.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the sending period of the SOF packets is micro-frame time.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of dynamically adjusting a bit rate over the device bus.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, the USB version of the host is USB 3.0, and the USB version of the device is USB 2.0.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the sending period of the SOF packets is a portion of the micro-frame time.