Multi-channel universal serial bus (usb) to subrate channel systems and methods

Abstract

Multi-channel universal serial bus (USB) to subrate channel methods are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes providing a system comprising a USB interface and a multi-channel interface configured to communicatively connect to a plurality of subrate channels. The method also includes communicatively connecting the subrate channels with a computing device via the USB interface. Further, the method includes communicating, to the computing device, connection specifications for the subrate channels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 providing a system comprising a universal serial bus (USB) interface and a multi-channel interface configured to communicatively connect to a plurality of subrate channels;   communicatively connecting the subrate channels with a computing device via the USB interface; and   communicating, to the computing device, connection specifications for the subrate channels.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the USB interface is a USB transport layer interface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the channels are one of I 2 C, RS-232, and RS-485 channels. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein communicating connection specifications comprises communicating, to the computing device, one of a number of the subrate channels and a subrate type. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein communicating connection specifications comprises communicating, to the computing device, one of transmit buffer information, receive buffer information, register information, and subrate protocol information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein communicating, to the computing device, the connection specifications comprises communicating the connection specifications to the computing device during enumeration. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting one of the subrate channels for connection with the computing device via the USB interface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising resetting one of the subrate channels. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising selecting a direction of communication of the subrate channels.