Aspects of the embodiments are directed to systems and methods for performing link training using stored and retrieved equalization parameters obtained from a previous equalization procedure. As part of a link training sequence, links interconnecting an upstream port with a downstream port and with any intervening retimers, can undergo an equalization procedure. The equalization parameter values from each system component, including the upstream port, downstream port, and retimer(s) can be stored in a nonvolatile memory. During a subsequent link training process, the equalization parameter values stored in the nonvolatile memory can be written to registers associated with the upstream port, downstream port, and retimer(s) to be used to operate the interconnecting links. The equalization parameter values can be used instead of performing a new equalization procedure or can be used as a starting point to reduce latency associated with equalization procedures.

An expansion base unit (10) includes an input connector (101, 102) communicatively connectable with a cable (C11, C12) to a connector in a previous base unit to allow receipt of a signal from the previous base unit, and a plurality of output connectors (111, 112) that each are communicatively connectable with a cable (C21, C22) to a connector of a plurality of connectors in a subsequent expansion base unit to allow transmission of the signal received by the input connector (101, 102) to the subsequent expansion base unit.

There are provided a printing section that performs printing on a medium; a control section that controls drive of the printing section; a power supply connector that supplies electric power to the control section; a first receptacle connector that is electrically coupled to a first external device and configured to cause the first external device to communicate with the control section; and a second receptacle connector that is electrically coupled to a second external device and configured to cause the second external device to communicate with the control section, a plug of a USB-Type-C cable is configured to be physically inserted into the second receptacle connector, the plug is configured not to be physically inserted into the power supply connector, and the power supply connector is arranged between the first receptacle connector and the second receptacle connector.

Techniques for embedded high speed serial interface methods are described herein. The techniques include an apparatus for sideband signaling including a first serial sideband link module and a second serial sideband link module. The first serial sideband link module is to propagate packets from an upstream port to a downstream port via a first signaling lane, and the second serial sideband link module is to propagate packets from the downstream port to the upstream port via a second signaling lane.

A USB hub device having functionality of self firmware updating is disclosed. The USB hub device is integrated in a host electronic system, and comprises an upstream port, a plurality of downstream ports and a hub module comprising a plurality of second USB controller units. On the other hand, the host electronic system has a second USB controller unit. After one electronic device is coupled to one downstream port, the first USB controller unit sends a detection signal for verifying whether the electronic device includes at least one firmware update data or not. In case of the electronic device being verified to have the firmware update data, the hub module transmit the firmware update data from the electronic device to a memory unit thereof, thereby completing a firmware update of the USB hub device.

A USB hub device having functionality of self firmware updating is disclosed. The USB hub device is integrated in a host electronic system, and comprises an upstream port, a plurality of downstream ports and a hub module comprising a plurality of second USB controller units. On the other hand, the host electronic system has a second USB controller unit. After one electronic device is coupled to one downstream port, the first USB controller unit sends a detection signal for verifying whether the electronic device includes at least one firmware update data or not. In case of the electronic device being verified to have the firmware update data, the hub module transmit the firmware update data from the electronic device to a memory unit thereof, thereby completing a firmware update of the USB hub device.

A universal serial bus (USB) apparatus that has a USB hub, a first switching unit including first end coupled to a USB peripheral port of a first device, a second switching unit including a second end coupled to the USB hub and the first switching unit and a first end configured to be coupled to a first USB device, and control circuitry operable to provide control signals to the first and second switching units, in which the first control signals cause the first and second switching units to provide connectivity between the USB peripheral port of the first device and the first USB device when the first USB device is operating as a USB host and the second control signals to provide connectivity between the USB host port to the first USB device via the USB hub when the first USB device is operating as a USB peripheral.

Aspects of the embodiments are directed to systems and methods for performing link training using stored and retrieved equalization parameters obtained from a previous equalization procedure. As part of a link training sequence, links interconnecting an upstream port with a downstream port and with any intervening retimers, can undergo an equalization procedure. The equalization parameter values from each system component, including the upstream port, downstream port, and retimer(s) can be stored in a nonvolatile memory. During a subsequent link training process, the equalization parameter values stored in the nonvolatile memory can be written to registers associated with the upstream port, downstream port, and retimer(s) to be used to operate the interconnecting links. The equalization parameter values can be used instead of performing a new equalization procedure or can be used as a starting point to reduce latency associated with equalization procedures.

An expansion base unit includes an input connector communicatively connectable with a cable to a connector in a previous base unit to allow receipt of a signal from the previous base unit, and a plurality of output connectors that each are communicatively connectable with a cable to a connector of a plurality of connectors in a subsequent expansion base unit to allow transmission of the signal received by the input connector to the subsequent expansion base unit.

There are provided a printing section that performs printing on a medium; a control section that controls drive of the printing section; a power supply connector that supplies electric power to the control section; a first receptacle connector that is electrically coupled to a first external device and configured to cause the first external device to communicate with the control section; and a second receptacle connector that is electrically coupled to a second external device and configured to cause the second external device to communicate with the control section, a plug of a USB-Type-C cable is configured to be physically inserted into the second receptacle connector, the plug is configured not to be physically inserted into the power supply connector, and the power supply connector is arranged between the first receptacle connector and the second receptacle connector.