Two-wire link for time-multiplexed power and data transmission to multiple devices

An apparatus is provided, where the apparatus may include a first terminal and a second terminal to be coupled to a host via a first wire and a second wire, respectively; a rechargeable storage; and a data circuitry. The apparatus may, during a first time-period, receive power via the first wire and the second wire from the host, and store the power in the rechargeable storage, and during a second time-period, transmit data from the data circuitry to the host via the first wire and the second wire. The first and second time-periods may be non-overlapping time periods. The apparatus is to refrain from transmitting any data to, or receiving any data from, the host during the first time period.

BACKGROUND

In modern world, various types of sensors are widely used in a plethora of applications. It may be useful to streamline power management of the sensors, and/or data retrieval from the sensors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, multiple devices may be coupled to a host using a two-wire link. For example, a first device may be coupled to the host via a first wire and a second wire, a second device may be coupled to the first device via a third wire and a fourth wire, a third device may be coupled to the second device via a fifth wire and a sixth wire, and so on. Thus, the devices may be coupled in series to the host. In some embodiments, the devices may be sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors, flow monitors, accelerometers, and/or the like).

The host may time division multiplex between power delivery to the devices and data collection from the devices in a progressive manner. For example, the host may interleave power delivery and data collection over the first and second wires to and from individual ones of the devices. Thus, as will be discussed in further detail herein, power delivery and data collection between the host and the devices may be performed using merely two outgoing wires from the host. The system may be scalable, e.g., a device may be added to the chain of devices, without increasing a number of outgoing wires from the host to the devices. Other technical effects will be evident from the various embodiments and figures.

FIG. 1illustrates a system100, where a host104is to transmit power108to a plurality of devices120a, . . . ,120N using a two wire configuration, and where the host104is to receive data112from the plurality of devices120a, . . . ,120N using the two wire configuration, according to some embodiments. For example, as will be discussed in further details herein, power108and data112are transmitted over two wires116and118in a time-multiplexed manner. For example, during a first time duration, power108is transmitted to the device120a; during a second time duration, data112ais received from the device120a; during a third time duration, power108is transmitted to the device120b; during a fourth time duration, data112bis received from the device120b, and so on. In an example, the first, second, third, and fourth time durations are consecutive or sequential time durations.

Elements referred to herein with a common reference label followed by a particular number or alphabet may be collectively referred to by the reference label alone. For example, devices120a,120b, . . . ,120N may be collectively and generally referred to as devices120in plural, and device120in singular. Similarly, data112a, . . . ,112N may be collectively and generally referred to as data112.

In some embodiments, the host104comprises a power and data controller106(also referred to as data and power adapter106, or as controller106) that selectively transmits power108to the devices120, and receives data112from the devices120. For example, the controller106receives power108from an appropriate power source and selectively (e.g., in a time-multiplexed manner) transmits the power to the devices120. The controller106also received the data112from the devices120, and outputs the data112to an appropriate data processing and/or data storing component (e.g., a memory, a processor, etc., not illustrated inFIG. 1).

In some embodiments, individual ones of the devices120comprises corresponding sensors. Merely as an example, individual ones of the devices120may comprise one or more temperature sensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, flow monitors, and/or the like. Thus, for example, the system100may be employed in an environment where a plurality of sensors (e.g., devices120) are deployed, and the two-wire system100comprising the wires116,118are used to power the sensors and collect data from the sensors. For example, at a given time, one of the devices (e.g., comprising a corresponding sensor) may be powered and sensed data may be collected, and the cycle may be repeated for other devices as well.

FIG. 2illustrates an example implementation of a device120(e.g., the device120a) of the plurality of devices120ofFIG. 1, according to some embodiments. AlthoughFIG. 2illustrates the device120a, other devices120b, . . . ,120N may have similar structure.

In some embodiments, the device120ahas four terminals225a,227a,229a, and231a. The terminals225aand227amay be coupled to the host104via wires116and118, respectively. In an example, the terminal227amay be grounded. The terminals231aand229amay be coupled to a downstream device in the chain of devices, e.g., to device120b, using two corresponding wires. Thus, the device120ais to couple the device120band to the host104.

In some embodiments, the device120acomprises a data sensing and collection circuitry211a(also referred to as circuitry211a). The circuitry211amay comprise (or be coupled to) an appropriate sensor, such as a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a flow monitor, or the like. The circuitry211may also be referred to as a sensor211a. In an example, the circuitry211may comprise a first section for sensing, and a second section for collecting and transmitting the sensed data. In some embodiments, the circuitry211amay use power from the host104(e.g., which may be temporarily stored in an energy storage203aof the device120a) to operate.

In some embodiments, when powered ON (e.g., using power108from the host104, received via the energy storage203a), the circuitry211amay sense and sample data211a(e.g., which may be temperature data, pressure data, flow data, or the like, depending on a type of the sensor associated with the circuitry211a). The circuitry211amay transmit the sampled data112ato the host104via a switch217a. For example, the switch217amay be coupled between the terminal225aand the circuitry211a. The circuitry211amay be coupled between the switch217aand the terminal227a.

In some embodiments, a component223amay be coupled between the circuitry211aand the switch217a, where the component223amay ensure flow of data112afrom the circuitry211ato the terminal225a, but may prevent flow of power from the terminal225ato the circuitry211a. Thus, for example, the component223amay allow unidirectional transmission (e.g., transmission of data112a) from the circuitry211ato the host104. As an example, the component223amay be a diode, a one-way switch, a signal repeater, etc.

In some embodiments, the device120acomprises a switch215acoupled between the terminals225aand231a. For example, when the switch215ais open, the host104is disconnected from downstream devices120b,120c, . . . ,120N.

In some embodiments, the device120acomprises an energy storage203a(also referred to as storage203a), which may be an appropriate energy bank, a rechargeable battery, a capacitor for storing energy, and/or the like. The storage203amay be coupled to the terminal225avia a switch213a, and also coupled to the ground. In some embodiments, the storage203amay provide energy to various components (e.g., the circuitry211a, a state machine207a, etc.) of the device120a, for operation of these components.

In some embodiments, the device120acomprises the state machine207a. The state machine207amay control a state and operation of various components of the device120a. For example, the state machine207amay control switching of the switches213a,215a, and217a. The state machine207amay also control charging and/or discharging of the energy storage203a, and operation of the circuitry211a.

For example, the state machine207amay sense a state of the wire116at the terminal225a(e.g., the state machine207amay be coupled to the terminal225a, by bypassing the switches213a,215a,217a). Based on sensing the state of the wire116, the state machine207amay control the operation of the device120a.

In some embodiments, the state machine207amay transmit a signal219ato the energy storage203a. When appropriate, the state machine207amay instruct the energy storage203a(e.g., via signal219a) to discharge at least a part of stored charge, e.g., to at least in part return to a power-down or discharge state. In some embodiments, the discharge may not need to be completely drained to ground to preserve energy, as long as the state of the energy storage presents itself as being sufficiently discharged. This may also apply to active storage where some data collection may still be performed internally, while the state of device120ais in power-down mode.

In some embodiments, the state machine207amay transmit a signal221ato the circuitry211a. When appropriate, the state machine207amay enable the circuitry211a(e.g., via signal221a), and may cause the circuitry211ato collect or sense data112aand transmit the data112ato the host104. When appropriate, the state machine207amay disable the circuitry211a(e.g., via signal221a)

FIG. 3illustrates an example implementation of multiple devices120(e.g., the devices120a,120b,120N) of the plurality of devices120ofFIG. 1, according to some embodiments. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the example implementation of ones of the devices120b, . . . ,120N may be similar to the example implementation of the device120aillustrated inFIG. 2. For example, similar to the device120a, the device120bcomprises an energy storage203b, switches213b,215b,217b, state machine207b, circuitry211b, component223b, terminals225b,227b,229b,231b, etc. The device120N may similarly comprise an energy storage203N, switches213N,215N,217N, state machine207N, circuitry211N, component223N, terminals225N,227N,229N,231N, etc. As various components of the devices120b,120N may be similar to corresponding ones of the device120a(e.g., which are discussed with respect toFIG. 2), the components of the devices120b,120N are not discussed in further details herein.

There may be some difference in the components of various devices120a,120b, . . . ,120N. For example, the data sensing and collection circuitries211of various devices120may possibly be different. For example, if the device120ais for sensing temperature, the circuitry211a(or an associated sensor) may sense temperature and output temperature data; if the device120bis for sensing pressure, the circuitry211a(or an associated sensor) may sense pressure and output pressure data, and so on.

FIG. 4illustrates a flowchart depicting a method400for operating the system100ofFIG. 1, according to some embodiments.FIGS. 5A-5Cillustrate various states of the device120a, when various operations of the method400are being performed, according to some embodiments.FIG. 6illustrates an example timing diagram for the wire116while the method400is being performed, according to some embodiments.

With reference toFIG. 4, the illustrated embodiments can be performed in a different order, and some actions/blocks may be performed in parallel. Some of the blocks and/or operations listed inFIG. 4may be optional in accordance with certain embodiments. The numbering of the blocks presented is for the sake of clarity and is not intended to prescribe an order of operations in which the various blocks must occur.

At404, the device120aoperates in a pre-charge mode of operation, where the device120a(e.g., the energy storage203a) is pre-charged. InFIG. 6, the pre-charge mode of operation for device120ais between time t1and t2.FIG. 5Aillustrates a state of the switches during the pre-charge mode of operation.

For example, during the pre-charge mode of operation, the switch213ais closed, and switches217aand215aare open, as illustrated inFIG. 5A. The state machine207amay cause the switch213ato close, and switches217aand215ato open. Power108is transmitted from the host104to the storage203a, thereby charging the storage203a(e.g., the storage203astores at least a part of the power108). During this time (e.g., during the pre-charge mode of operation), the wires116,118transmit power108from the host towards the devices120, and do not carry any data112.FIG. 6illustrates the transmission of power from the host104to the device120abetween time t1and t2.

The method then proceeds to408, where the circuitry211ais enabled, e.g., by the state machine207a(also referred to as data sensing/transmission mode of operation). InFIG. 6, the data sensing/transmission mode of operation is between time t3and t4.FIG. 5Billustrates a state of the switches during the data sensing/transmission mode of operation.

In some embodiments, during the data sensing/transmission mode of operation, the switches213aand215aare open, and the switch217ais closed, as illustrated inFIG. 5B. The circuitry211asenses data112a(e.g., using a sensor associated with the circuitry211a), and transmits the data112ato the host104via the switch217aand the wires116,118. During the data sensing/transmission mode of operation, power to operate the circuitry211ais received from the energy storage203a(e.g., using power108that was stored in the energy storage203aat operation404). During this time (e.g., during the data sensing/transmission mode of operation), the wires116,118transmit sampled data112afrom the device120a(e.g., from the circuitry211a) to the host104, and do not transmit power from the host104to the devices120.

It may be noted that during the pre-charge mode of operation and the data sensing/ transmission mode of operation of the device120a, the devices120b, . . . ,120N are not powered, as the switch215ais open.

The method then proceeds to412, where the device120aenters a pass-through mode of operation (also referred to as forward mode of operation). InFIG. 6, the pass-through mode of operation for device120ais any time after time t4(or after time t5).FIG. 5Cillustrates a state of the switches during the pass-through mode of operation of the device120a.

During the pass-through mode of device120a, the device120aacts as a pass-through device, where the device120amay pass power108from the host104to downstream devices120b, . . . ,120N, and may transmit sampled data112b, . . . ,112N from the downstream devices120b, . . . ,120N to the host104. During the pass-through mode of the device120a, as illustrated inFIG. 5C, switches213a,217aare open, and switch215ais closed. As the switches213a,217aare open, the energy storage203aand circuitry211amay be disabled or non-operational. For example, the circuitry211amay not sense any data, and/or transmit any data to the host104.

In some embodiments, the energy storage203amay have some remaining power, which may be used to power the switch215a(e.g., to maintain a closed state of the switch215a). For example, the energy storage203amay power the state machine207aand the switch215a, e.g., to maintain a closed state of the switch215a.

The method400then proceeds to416, where, while the device120ais in the pass-through mode, the operations404,408, and412may be repeated for the device120b. Thus, at operation416, while the device120ais in the pass-through mode, the device120bmay undergo through the above discussed pre-charge mode of operation, data sensing/transmission mode of operation, and the pass-through mode of operation. It may be noted that during the pre-charge mode of operation and the data sensing/transmission mode of operation of the device120b, the devices120c, . . . ,120N are not powered, as the switch215bis open. Also, during the pre-charge mode of operation and the data sensing/ transmission mode of operation of the device120b, the device120ais in the pass-through mode—thus, the device120asimply passes power and data between the host104and the device120b, without receiving power from the host104or without transmitting data to the host104.

The method400then proceeds to420, where, while the devices120a,120bare in the pass-through mode, the operations404,408, and412may be repeated for the device120c. Thus, at operation420, while the devices120a,120bare in the pass-through mode, the device120cmay undergo through the above discussed pre-charge mode of operation, data sensing/transmission mode of operation, and the pass-through mode of operation. It may be noted that during the pre-charge mode of operation and the data sensing/ transmission mode of operation of the device120c, the devices120d, . . . ,120N are not powered, as the switch215cis open. Also, during the pre-charge mode of operation and the data sensing/ transmission mode of operation of the device120c, the devices120a,120bare in the pass-through mode—thus, the devices120a,120bsimply pass power and data between the host104and the device120c, without receiving power from the host104or without transmitting data to the host104.

This process may be repeated sequentially for the devices120d,120e, and so on (illustrated symbolically using doted arrow between boxes416and420). For example, at424, while the devices120a,120b, . . . ,120(N-1) are in the pass-through mode, the operations404,408, and412may be repeated for the device120N.

Thus, during operations404, . . . ,424of the method400, for each of the devices120a, . . . ,120N, the host104may transmit power108to a device120for pre-charging the device120and the device120may then transmit the data112to the host104. The transmission of power108for pre-charging the devices120and for transmission of data112from the devices120to the host104may be over the wires116,118. Thus, the same wires116,118may be used by the host104in a time-multiplexed manner to transmit power108to the devices120, as well as receive data112from the devices120.

The method400may then proceed to428, where all the devices120a, . . . ,120N may be discharged (also referred to as power down mode or discharge mode of operation). For example, the energy storages203a,203b,203c, . . . ,203N may be discharged (e.g., power stored in the energy storages203may be grounded). The host104(e.g., the controller106) may activate the power down mode by, for example, keeping the voltage of the wire116to a low value (e.g., substantially zero or grounded) for at least a threshold period of time. The state machines207a, . . . ,207N of the devices120a, . . . ,120N, respectively, may sense this, and may cause any residual energy stored in the corresponding energy storages203to be discharged. The devices120may then be inactive (e.g., no power is now supplied to the devices120, and the devices120also have no stored power in the energy storages203). In some embodiments, during the power down mode or discharge mode of operation, various switches of the devices120may be off, e.g., in open states.

In an example, the operation at428may be at least in part optional. For example, in some examples, the energy storages203may not be discharged, and any remaining energy may be used for a subsequent repetition of the method400. In some other examples, the energy stored in the energy storages203may gradually leak and discharge on its own, without the devices120taking any active steps to discharge the energy.

In some embodiments, the method400may be repeated in a loop (e.g., the method400may loop back to404, after428). For example, whenever the host104is to collect sensor information (e.g., data112) from the devices120, the method404may be initiated and/or repeated.

Various examples and embodiments herein (e.g.,FIG. 4) discloses that a device120(e.g., device120a) can sense data merely during the data sensing/transmission mode of operation (e.g., after the pre-charging mode), using energy stored in the energy storage203a. However, in some other embodiments, the device120(e.g., the circuitry211a) may sense data even when the device120ais not operating in the data sensing/transmission mode. For example, the device120(e.g., the circuitry211a) may sense data periodically or intermittently, even when the device120ais in the pass-through mode, using energy from the energy storage203a. In such examples, the energy storage203amay have capacity that may be sufficient to power such sensing. The sensed data may be stored in a memory of the device120a(where the memory is not illustrated inFIG. 2). Whenever the turn of device120acomes to transmit sampled data112a(e.g., during the data sensing/transmission mode between times t3and t4ofFIG. 6), the stored data may be transmitted to the host104.

In some embodiments, the controller106of the host104may be synchronized with the devices120to transmit power108to the devices120and receive data112from the devices120on a time-multiplexing basis. For example, referring toFIGS. 1 and 6, between times t1and t2, the controller106of the host104may transmit power108towards the devices120. Between times t3and t4, the controller106of the host104may expect to receive data112afrom the device120a. Similarly, between times t5and t6, the controller106of the host104may transmit power108towards the devices120. Between times t7and t8, the controller106of the host104may expect to receive data112bfrom the device120b. This process may be repeated to sequentially charge the devices120and receive data from the devices120, in series.

In some examples, the bus from the host104to the devices120(e.g., comprising the wires116,118) may operate, at any given time, in one of the three states: (i) a power transmission state, when power is transmitted from the host104to any one of the devices120, (ii) a data collection state, when data is received by the host104from any one of the devices120, and (iii) a discharge state, when the bus is neither transmitting data nor power, the energy storages203are discharged, and the devices120are idle.

AlthoughFIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, and 5Cillustrate example ways to operate the system100, various variations may be envisioned by those skilled in the art, based on the teachings of this disclosure. For example, inFIGS. 4 and 5C, during the pass-through mode of a device120(e.g., device120a), the corresponding switch213ais off. Thus, during the pass-through mode, the energy storage203amay be disconnected from the host104. In some embodiments, to maintain the switch215ain the ON position during the pass-through mode of the device120a, some power may be used. In one example, such power may be supplied by residual power stored in the energy storage203a. In another example, to maintain the switch215ain the ON position during the pass-through mode of the device120a, the switch213amay be ON, or is switched ON intermittently, (e.g., so that the energy storage203ahas sufficient power to maintain the switch215aat ON position). In another example, to maintain the switch215ain the ON position during the pass-through mode of the device120a, the switch213amay be switched ON when the energy stored in the energy storage203ais below a threshold (e.g., is insufficient to maintain the switch215aat ON position).

Various examples and embodiments herein discloses that a first device (e.g., device120a) is charged and then data is extracted from the first device, then a second device (e.g., device120b) is charged and then data is extracted from the second device, and this process is repeated for all the devices120(e.g., as illustrated in the timing diagram ofFIG. 6). Such a sequence may be modified in some examples. For example, all the devices120(or at least some of the devices120) may be pre-charged at the same time (e.g., at the beginning of a cycle, when no data is being collected, etc.), e.g., using the wires116and118(e.g., in such a case where devices120aand120bare charged simultaneously, the switches213a,213bare ON and the switch215ais also ON). This assumes that the host104has sufficient power rating to charge more than one devices120at a time. This also assumes that the energy storages203has capacity to store charge for a longer period of time (e.g., the energy storages203are rechargeable batteries). When the host104is to access the data from the devices120, the host104may stop supplying power to the devices120, and may receive data sequentially from the devices120(e.g., first receive data112afrom device120a, then receive data112bfrom device112b, and so on).

AlthoughFIGS. 1-5Cillustrate the devices arranged in series, in some embodiments, the arrangement of the devices120may be altered. For example,FIG. 7illustrates a system700, where a host104is to transmit power108to a plurality of devices120a, . . . ,120N using a two wire configuration, where the host104is to receive data112from the plurality of devices120a, . . . ,120N using the two wire configuration, and where two or more devices may be arranged in a cluster or hub arrangement, according to some embodiments. For example, the system700may be at least in part similar to the system100ofFIGS. 1-5C. However, unlike the system100, in the system700, the device120bmay act as a hub for a cluster of devices120b1and120b2. For example, each of the devices120b1and120b2may include corresponding sensors. The devices120b1and120b2may either receive power from the energy storage203bof the device120b, or may have their own individual energy storages. Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, in an example, the device120bmay transmit sampled data112bfrom the devices120b1and120b2during the time period t7-t8. Thus, data112bmay be a combination of sensed data from the devices120b1,120b2.

Various embodiments and examples discussed herein may transmit power to, and receive data from multiple devices (e.g., sensors) with merely two wires. The system100may be scalable, e.g., additional devices may be easily added in the chain of devices. The devices120may be distributed over a wide geographical area, e.g., tens of meters. The extent of the covered geographical area may be merely limited by lengths of the wires116,118, and power driving capacity of the host104and signal/data driving capacity of the devices120. No additional power or data lines (e.g., in addition to the two wires116,118) may be used to supply power and/or data to the device120. Merely two wires may be used—wire118for ground connection, and wire116to serve dual purposes of power supply to and data collection from the devices120. In an example, the system100may be deployed in harsh environments, such as automobiles, factory floors, etc.

FIG. 8illustrates a computing device or a SoC (System-on-Chip)2100that may be used to implement the host104toFIGS. 1-7, according to some embodiments. It is pointed out that those elements ofFIG. 8having the same reference numbers (or names) as the elements of any other figure can operate or function in any manner similar to that described, but are not limited to such.

In some embodiments, computing device2100represents an appropriate computing device, such as a computing tablet, a mobile phone or smart-phone, a laptop, a desktop, an IOT device, a server, a set-top box, a wireless-enabled e-reader, or the like. It will be understood that certain components are shown generally, and not all components of such a device are shown in computing device2100.

In some embodiments, computing device2100includes a first processor2110. The various embodiments of the present disclosure may also comprise a network interface within2170such as a wireless interface so that a system embodiment may be incorporated into a wireless device, for example, cell phone or personal digital assistant.

In one embodiment, processor2110can include one or more physical devices, such as microprocessors, application processors, microcontrollers, programmable logic devices, or other processing means. The processing operations performed by processor2110include the execution of an operating platform or operating system on which applications and/or device functions are executed. The processing operations include operations related to I/O with a human user or with other devices, operations related to power management, and/or operations related to connecting the computing device2100to another device. The processing operations may also include operations related to audio I/O and/or display I/O.

In one embodiment, computing device2100includes audio subsystem2120, which represents hardware (e.g., audio hardware and audio circuits) and software (e.g., drivers, codecs) components associated with providing audio functions to the computing device. Audio functions can include speaker and/or headphone output, as well as microphone input. Devices for such functions can be integrated into computing device2100, or connected to the computing device2100. In one embodiment, a user interacts with the computing device2100by providing audio commands that are received and processed by processor2110.

Display subsystem2130represents hardware (e.g., display devices) and software (e.g., drivers) components that provide a visual and/or tactile display for a user to interact with the computing device2100. Display subsystem2130includes display interface2132, which includes the particular screen or hardware device used to provide a display to a user. In one embodiment, display interface2132includes logic separate from processor2110to perform at least some processing related to the display. In one embodiment, display subsystem2130includes a touch screen (or touch pad) device that provides both output and input to a user.

I/O controller2140represents hardware devices and software components related to interaction with a user. I/O controller2140is operable to manage hardware that is part of audio subsystem2120and/or display subsystem2130. Additionally, I/O controller2140illustrates a connection point for additional devices that connect to computing device2100through which a user might interact with the system. For example, devices that can be attached to the computing device2100might include microphone devices, speaker or stereo systems, video systems or other display devices, keyboard or keypad devices, or other I/O devices for use with specific applications such as card readers or other devices.

As mentioned above, I/O controller2140can interact with audio subsystem2120and/or display subsystem2130. For example, input through a microphone or other audio device can provide input or commands for one or more applications or functions of the computing device2100. Additionally, audio output can be provided instead of, or in addition to display output. In another example, if display subsystem2130includes a touch screen, the display device also acts as an input device, which can be at least partially managed by I/O controller2140. There can also be additional buttons or switches on the computing device2100to provide I/0functions managed by I/O controller2140.

Connectivity2170includes hardware devices (e.g., wireless and/or wired connectors and communication hardware) and software components (e.g., drivers, protocol stacks) to enable the computing device2100to communicate with external devices. The computing device2100could be separate devices, such as other computing devices, wireless access points or base stations, as well as peripherals such as headsets, printers, or other devices.

Connectivity2170can include multiple different types of connectivity. To generalize, the computing device2100is illustrated with cellular connectivity2172and wireless connectivity2174. Cellular connectivity2172refers generally to cellular network connectivity provided by wireless carriers, such as provided via GSM (global system for mobile communications) or variations or derivatives, CDMA (code division multiple access) or variations or derivatives, TDM (time division multiplexing) or variations or derivatives, or other cellular service standards. Wireless connectivity (or wireless interface)2174refers to wireless connectivity that is not cellular, and can include personal area networks (such as Bluetooth, Near Field, etc.), local area networks (such as Wi-Fi), and/or wide area networks (such as WiMax), or other wireless communication.

Peripheral connections2180include hardware interfaces and connectors, as well as software components (e.g., drivers, protocol stacks) to make peripheral connections. It will be understood that the computing device2100could both be a peripheral device (“to”2182) to other computing devices, as well as have peripheral devices (“from”2184) connected to it. The computing device2100commonly has a “docking” connector to connect to other computing devices for purposes such as managing (e.g., downloading and/or uploading, changing, synchronizing) content on computing device2100. Additionally, a docking connector can allow computing device2100to connect to certain peripherals that allow the computing device2100to control content output, for example, to audiovisual or other systems.

In some embodiments, the computing device2100may comprise one or more sensors2134, e.g., low power sensors, low resolution sensors, a heart monitor sensor, one or more sensors associated with a vehicle, pressure sensors, general use temperature sensors.

The computing device2100may be used to implement the host104. For example, the computing device2100may be coupled to the devices120a, . . . ,120N. The computing device2100(e.g., the processor2110via the controller106) may receive data from the devices120. A memory of the computing device2100(e.g., a memory of the memory subsystem2160) may store data112received from the devices120. The computing device2100and the devices120may operate to time-multiplex transmission of power and data over a two-wire link, as discussed with respect toFIGS. 1-7.