Hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system for data communication and power

A hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system includes a male barrel jack connector including a tip connector at a distal end of the male barrel jack connector and configured to conduct a ground reference voltage, a first ring connector electrically isolated from the tip connector by a first insulator, and configured to conduct a first data signal, and a sleeve connector adjacent to a base of the male barrel jack connector electrically isolated from the first ring connector, and configured to conduct a power signal.

FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure are related to electrical connectors.

BACKGROUND

Barrel-jack connectors are commonly used as data connectors for serial ports, however such connectors are rarely intended to provide power while also being plugged into a device which itself might already have power (hot-plugging). These connectors are generally intended for data or signaling use only.

Currently, 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm barrel jack audio cables are quite commonly used as data connectors for serial data communication, on simple embedded systems and smart devices, such as phones, tablets, etc. Generally, only data signals (e.g., receive (RX) and/or transmit (TX) signals) and electrical ground are supplied by the cable, and power is expected to be present on the connected target device itself.

Unlike rectangular connectors, when a multi-pin barrel jack connector is inserted into its mating plug, the tip and ring contacts may temporarily short across the sleeve and other ring contacts, which may damage the mating plug and/or the electrical circuit of the target device.

SUMMARY

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a barrel jack connection system capable of providing both power and data to a target device and being hot-plugged into the target device (i.e., being plugged in while the target device is powered up) without causing damage or interruptions in power and operations.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system including: a male barrel jack connector including: a tip connector at a distal end of the male barrel jack connector and configured to conduct a ground reference voltage; a first ring connector electrically isolated from the tip connector by a first insulator, and configured to conduct a first data signal; and a sleeve connector adjacent to a base of the male barrel jack connector electrically isolated from the first ring connector, and configured to conduct a power signal.

In some embodiments, the first ring connector is configured to receive the first data signal.

In some embodiments, the male barrel jack connector further includes: a second ring connector electrically isolated from the first ring connector by a second insulator, and configured to conduct a second data signal, the sleeve connector is electrically isolated from the second ring connector by a third insulator.

In some embodiments, the first ring connector is configured to transmit the second data signal.

In some embodiments, the tip and sleeve connectors are respectively electrically coupled to a reference ground and a power supply of a first electrical device, and the first and second ring connectors are respectively electrically coupled to a receiver front end and a transmitter front end of the first electrical device.

In some embodiments, the sleeve connector, the first ring connector, and the tip connector are arranged along an axial direction of the male barrel jack connector and extend away from the base.

In some embodiments, the hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system further includes: a female barrel jack connector configured to mate with the male barrel jack connector in a fully-mated state, and including: a ground terminal configured to contact the tip connector in the fully-mated state; a second data terminal configured to contact the first ring connector in the fully-mated state; and a power terminal configured to contact the sleeve connector in the fully-mated state.

In some embodiments, the female barrel jack connector further includes: a first data terminal configured to contact a second ring connector of the male barrel jack connector in the fully-mated state.

In some embodiments, the first data terminal is configured to transmit a data signal.

In some embodiments, the ground and power terminals are respectively electrically coupled to a reference ground and a power supply of a second electrical device, and the first and second data terminals are respectively electrically coupled to a receiver front end and a transmitter front end of the second electrical device.

In some embodiments, the power terminal is electrically coupled to an anode of a blocking diode, a cathode of the blocking diode being configured to be electrically coupled to a power supply of a second electrical device coupled to the female barrel jack connector.

In some embodiments, the ground terminal and the second data terminal are spring terminals.

In some embodiments, the male barrel jack connector is electrically coupled to a programming device, and the female barrel jack connector is electrically coupled to a programmable light emitting diode (LED) driver device.

In some embodiments, the male barrel jack connector is coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) connector via a USB-UART converter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system capable of providing both electrical power and data to a target device. According to some embodiments, the particular pin configurations of the male and female barrel jack connectors and the supporting device circuitry allow a 2.5 mm or 3.5 mm barrel jack audio connector to deliver both power and data signaling (e.g., RX and TX for serial data), using one connector that is hot-pluggable, meaning that the male and female barrel jack connectors can be mated while the target device is already powered up, without causing harm or power disruptions to the target device.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating the hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system10for connecting a first electrical device20to a second electrical device30, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 2is a schematic diagram illustrating the male barrel jack connector100of the hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system10, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 3illustrates the male barrel jack connector100in a fully-mated state with the female barrel jack connector200, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 1, in some embodiments, the hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system10enables bi-directional communication between the first and second electrical devices20and30and allows for the provision of both ground and power supply voltages through the hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system10. In some examples, the first electrical device20may be a computer, an external sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor), or a controlling device, and the second electrical device30may be a peripheral or auxiliary device, such as a headphone, a storage device, a webcam, a light emitting diode (LED) driver, or the like. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the first and second electrical devices may be any suitable devices in serial communication with one another.

According to some embodiments, the hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system10includes a male barrel jack connector100that is electrically coupled to the first electrical device20via a first multi-wire conduit (e.g., a first cable)50, and includes a female barrel jack connector200that is electrically coupled to the second electrical device30via a second multi-wire conduit (e.g., a second cable)60. The male and female barrel jack connectors100and200are configured to mate with one another and to electrically couple corresponding circuit elements of the first and second electrical devices20and30to one another.

In some examples, each of the first and second electrical devices20and30may include a ground terminal22/32that provides/is supplied with the ground reference voltage (GND or 0 V), a receiver front end24/34having a high input impedance, a transmitter front end26/36, and a power supply terminal28/38configured to provide/receive a power supply voltage VPP, which may be connected to a first/second processing circuit29/39that may be any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. In some examples, the first electrical device20provides the power supply voltage VPP to the second electrical device30through the hot-pluggable barrel jack connection system10; however, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto and the second electrical device30may be independently powered (e.g., have its own internal power supply).

While in the example ofFIG. 1, the transmit and receive signals are digital signals, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and with the appropriate circuitry, the data signals may be analog signals as well.

Referring toFIGS. 1-2, in some embodiments, the male barrel jack connector100includes a tip connector (e.g., a tip conductor)102at a distal end of the male barrel jack connector100, a first ring connector (e.g., a first ring conductor)104electrically isolated from the tip connector102by a first insulator103(e.g., a first insulating ring), a second ring connector (e.g., a second ring conductor)106electrically isolated from the first ring connector104by a second insulator105(e.g., a second insulating ring), and a sleeve connector (e.g., a sleeve or shaft conductor)108adjacent to a base109of the male barrel jack connector100and electrically isolated from the second ring connector106by a third insulator107(e.g., a third insulating ring). The base109may be coupled to a jacket110of the male barrel jack connector100that allows for handling of the connector. The tip connector102, the first and second ring connectors104and106, and the sleeve connector108may be arranged along an axial direction of the male barrel jack connector100and extend away from the base109.

According to some embodiments, the tip connector102is configured to conduct the ground reference voltage (GND), the first and second ring connectors104and106are configured to conduct first and second data signals, respectively, and the sleeve connector108is configured to conduct the power supply voltage (VPP). The first ring connector104may be coupled to the receiver front end24and be configured to receive the first data signal from the second electrical device30, and the second ring conductor106may be coupled to the transmitter front end26and be configured to transmit the second data signal to the second electrical device30. However, embodiments of present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the first and second ring connectors104and106are interchangeable and can each be utilized as a signal receiver or a signal transmitter depending on the circuitry attached thereto.

In embodiments in which the male barrel jack connector100has both the first and second ring connectors104and106, the male barrel jack connector100may be a 2.5 mm or 3.5 mm TRRS (tip, ring, ring, sleeve) barrel plug connector or a TRRRS (tip, ring, ring, ring, sleeve) barrel plug connector. In some embodiments, the two ring connectors104and106may be replaced with a single ring connector that is used to both transmit and receive signals. In such embodiments, the single ring connector may be coupled to transceivers at each of the first and second electrical devices20and30, rather than separate transmitters and receivers. In such embodiments, the male barrel jack connector100may be a 2.5 mm or 3.5 mm TRS barrel plug connector.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 3, according to some embodiments, the female barrel jack connector200has a cavity within the packaging220that is configured to accommodate the connectors102-108of the male barrel jack connector100. The male and female barrel jack connectors100and200are fully mated when the male barrel jack connector100is fully inserted into the cavity. The female barrel jack connector200includes a ground terminal (e.g., a ground spring terminal)202configured to contact the tip connector102in the fully-mated state, a first data terminal (e.g., a first data spring terminal)204configured to contact the second ring connector106in the fully-mated state, a second data terminal (e.g., a second data spring terminal)206configured to contact the first ring connector104in the fully-mated state, and a power terminal (e.g., a sleeve/power spring terminal)208configured to contact the sleeve connector108in the fully-mated state. The terminals of the female barrel jack connector200may be spring terminals that are capable of small movements in response to the force exerted by the insertions of the male barrel jack connector100.

In some embodiments, the power terminal208is electrically coupled to an anode of a blocking diode210, which has a cathode that is configured to be electrically coupled to a power node VPP of a second electrical device30coupled to the female barrel jack connector200. This blocking diode210allows power to flow from the male barrel jack connector100to the mating female barrel jack connector200, but not the reverse. This can prevent the inadvertent shorting of the ground of the first electrical device20with an active power supply of the second electrical device30.

FIGS. 4A-4Cillustrate the male barrel jack connector100in various stages of insertion into the female barrel jack connector200, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 4A, as the male barrel jack connector100is inserted into the cavity of the mating female barrel jack connector200, the tip connector102may temporarily contact the power terminal208. In the absence of the blocking diode210, in examples in which the second electrical device30has an independent power supply source and the power terminal208is at a non-zero voltage, this contact could cause significant current draw from the independent power supply source, which may cause the second electrical device30to momentarily lose power or be damaged as a result. However, as the blocking diode210prevents current from flowing from the power terminal208to the tip connector102, such power loss and/or damage can be avoided, so long as the voltage difference between the power terminal208and the tip connector102is below the breakdown voltage of the blocking diode210.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 4B, having the power terminal208temporarily contact the first and second ring connectors104and106, may be harmless as the blocking diode210prevents any current from flowing from the power terminal208to the receiver front end24or the transmitter front end26. Thus, even if an active (e.g., an independently powered) power terminal208contacts the second data connector106as the first transmitter front end26is trying to transmit a low voltage signal (e.g., a logic low, or 0 V signal), the blocking diode210prevents the power terminal208from forcing the second ring connector106to a high voltage, thus saving the first transmitter front end26from any damage that may otherwise occur.

As illustrated inFIG. 4C, during insertion, the tip connector102of the male barrel jack connector100may temporarily contact the first and/or second data terminals204and/or206. However, shorting either the receiver front end34or the transmitter front end36at the second electrical device30may not cause any harm. Even if the contact occurs as the second electrical device30is transmitting through the second data terminal206, shorting the second data terminal206to ground will only result in a small current draw (which, e.g., may be about several mA) through the pull-up resistor R2, which may not damage the second electrical device30. In the related art, the tip connector may be at the power supply voltage (e.g., VPP). Thus, if the powered tip connector of the related contacts a terminal that is trying to transmit a low voltage signal (e.g., a logic low or a 0 V signal), the second transmitter front end36may be damaged. According to some embodiments, the male barrel jack connector100avoids this problem by having the tip connector102conduct a ground voltage. Having the sleeve connector assigned to the power supply voltage (VPP) also prevents this powered connector from making accidental contacts with terminals of the female barrel jack connector200other than the power terminal.

Further, even if one of the terminals of the female barrel jack connector200(e.g., the first data terminal204) shorts across both of the first and second ring connectors104and106, this may not harm the receiver and transmitter front ends24/34and26/36as the circuits are designed to handle the small resulting currents without any damage being caused.

Therefore, as the process of inserting the male barrel jack connector100into an active (e.g., powered) female barrel jack connector200does not cause any harm to either of the electrical devices20and30or cause any power disruptions, the male barrel jack connector100and the mating female barrel jack connector200are hot-pluggable.

According to some embodiments, having the tip connector102assigned to ground, allows the second electrical device30to detect whether it is being connected to or disconnected from the first electrical devices20by monitoring the data terminals204and206to identify long periods during which the second data terminal206is held at logic low (shorted to ground). In some examples, the low period that triggers the connection/disconnection determinations may be about 10 mS to 500 mS, which is significantly longer than even the slowest date rate, such as 19200 baud. As the spring terminals of the female barrel jack connector200may bounce when a mating connection is made or when the connection is severed, in some examples, the random bouncing of one or more of the terminals202-208may be used to detect a connection/disconnection event.

FIG. 5illustrates a USB-jack converter cable300, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the male barrel jack connector100is part of the USB-jack converter cable300, which may be utilized as a serial programming and power cable (e.g., to program an LED driver). The USB-jack converter cable300may further include a USB connector130and a USB-UART converter150for converting USB signals to UART signals and vice-versa, which also may convert the power and signal voltage levels from the typical 5 V of USB to the proper target voltage for the mating device, such as 3.3 V. The USB-UART converter150may include a processor152for performing said conversion and a connection mapper154for routing the appropriate signals to the tip, sleeve, and ring connectors102,108,104, and106of the male barrel jack connector100. The male barrel jack connector100may be coupled to the USB-UART converter150by a first cable120, and the USB connector130may be coupled to the USB-UART converter150by a second cable140. In some examples, the male barrel jack connector100may be electrically coupled to a programming device, and the female barrel jack connector200may be electrically coupled to a programmable light emitting diode (LED) driver device.

According to some embodiments, the barrel jack connectors100and200allow the peripheral/target device, which may be a programmable driver, to use an extremely inexpensive, multi-pin connection system for communication, programming, and power. Further, as the barrel jack connector100cannot be inserted incorrectly, it protects against user error when inserting the connector. Additionally, the barrel jack connectors are very durable, are generally rated for tens of thousands of connection cycles, and have a small footprint size. Further, the particular pinout configurations of the barrel jack connectors100and200along with the blocking diode ensure that the barrel jack connector can be hot-plugged into the peripheral/target device, without causing damage or interruptions in power and operations.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “include”, “including”, “comprises”, and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of”, when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the inventive concept refers to “one or more embodiments of the inventive concept”. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, “coupled to”, or “adjacent” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or adjacent the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”, “directly coupled to”, or “immediately adjacent” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

While this disclosure has been described in detail with particular references to illustrative embodiments thereof, the embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the exact forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this disclosure pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of assembly and operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit, and scope of this disclosure, as set forth in the following claims and equivalents thereof.