Devices, systems, and methods for selectively pairing an upstream facing USB port device (UFP device) and a downstream facing USB port device (DFP device) over a network are disclosed. A controller device sends pairing commands to a selected UFP device and a selected DFP device, which then establish a connection with each other over a network. The controller device may subsequently cause the UFP device and/or the DFP device to remove the existing pairing and to instead pair with a different UFP device or DFP device. A pairing between a UFP device and a DFP device allows a host device coupled to the UFP device and a USB device coupled to the DFP device to communicate via a USB-compatible protocol.

A bistable cell includes a pair of inverters and multiple pairs of cross-coupled tristate buffers. Each pair of tristate buffers can be individually selected to implement an entropy harvesting state for the bistable cell. Each of the tristate buffers generally has lower strength than the inverters but the inverter-to-buffer strength ratio can be configured through selective use of one or more of the tristate buffer pairs. The resulting entropy harvesting state behavior can be varied based on the inverter-to-buffer strength ratio in terms of greater randomness of the output bits or decreased power consumption.

Apparatus and methods for USB hosts and USB devices to dynamically switch roles such that a product which initially operates as a USB host may instead operate as a USB device and vice versa. Products such as smartphones and tablets which initially operate as USB devices may dynamically switch roles to become USB hosts. Similarly, products such as PCs and in-vehicle infotainment systems which initially operate as USB hosts may dynamically switch roles to become USB devices. Dynamic USB role switching is permitted in a variety of topologies including those in which a direct connection exists between a host and a device as well as those in which a USB hub is present. In addition, such dynamic role switching may be performed in topologies which incorporate widely used USB Type A connectors and cables, thus avoiding the need for a special connector or cable.

A retimer apparatus can include a receiver circuit implemented at least partially in hardware; a configuration register comprising a link management bit set, and one or more bit fields for link management bits indicating link management information; bit stream logic implemented at least partially in hardware to encode an ordered set (OS) with one or more link management bits from the configuration register; and a transmitter circuit implemented at least partially in hardware to transmit OS with the one or more link management bits across a link.

A remote technical support system includes an edge device that operates as a highly secured conduit for a technician to view, access, and control a target device via a secure protocol over a connection medium between the edge device and the target device. The edge device's architecture allows it to selectively present numerous peripheral devices to the target device. The architectural components of the edge device can be controlled by a technician through a secure connection with a trusted server which allows authorized to access the edge device. The edge device also relays technician commands to and obtains diagnostic information from the target device and communicates feedback to the technician over the secure connection. The commands may be relayed to the target via the one or more selectively connected USB peripherals.

At least some aspects of the present disclosure provide for a method. In some examples, the method includes receiving 2-line data in an embedded Universal Serial Bus (eUSB) format. The method further includes encoding the 2-line data into a single signal. The single signal comprises a first symbol corresponding to a first state change of the 2-line data and a second symbol corresponding to a second state change of the 2-line data.

A method of operating an embedded universal serial bus (eUSB) repeater includes holding an eUSB receiver and a USB transmitter in active states and holding a USB receiver and an eUSB transmitter in standby states. The method includes receiving by the eUSB receiver a token packet indicative of transmission of a first downstream packet, and transitioning the USB receiver and the eUSB transmitter from the standby states to the active states responsive to the token packet. The method includes transmitting the token packet by the USB transmitter. The method includes receiving by the eUSB receiver a downstream packet or receiving by the USB receiver an upstream packet within a first timeout period after receiving the token packet, and transmitting the downstream packet by the USB transmitter or transmitting the upstream packet by the eUSB transmitter.

A data pipeline circuit includes an upstream interface circuit that receives sequential data and a downstream interface circuit that transfers the sequential data to a downstream circuit. A ready signal indicates the downstream circuit is ready to receive the sequential data. The data pipeline circuit includes a first data latch, a second data latch and a first status latch. The first data latch receives the sequential data. The first status latch generates an available signal that is asserted to indicate the second data latch is available to receive the sequential data. The second data latch receives the sequential data in response on the available signal being asserted and the ready signal indicating the downstream circuit is not ready to receive the sequential data on the data output. Limiting conditions in which the sequential data is stored in the second data latch significantly reduces power consumption of the data pipeline circuit.

A programmable controller includes a plurality of modules arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction, and the plurality of modules includes a master station module and slave station modules. The programmable controller includes a main line configured to provide communication between the master station module and the slave station modules, and sub-lines configured to provide communication between two adjacent modules. The programmable controller sets station numbers of the slave station modules by communication via the sub-lines, and then performs communication via the main line using the set station numbers.

Some examples relate to a method. In the method, a write transaction is routed from a master device to a slave device through a communication path. The communication path includes a first bridge and a second bridge downstream of the first bridge. The first bridge and the second bridge are coupled to one another via an interface structure. The first bridge sets a write busy signal on the communication path when the write transaction is processed by the first bridge; and in response to the first bridge setting the write busy signal, the second bridge holds the write busy signal until the write transaction has been received by the slave device. Upon the slave device receiving the write transaction, the second bridge resets the write busy signal to propagate the reset write busy signal back to the master device through the first bridge.