64B/66B Converter Mode Switching for Accurate Error Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems for 10 GbE fail to accurately identify the positions and number of error codes during error analysis, leading to incorrect frame analysis and counting issues due to error expansion in the 64B/66B conversion process, especially when error codes are near the end code, causing incorrect frame identification.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus with an error detector and a data converter that performs error expansion only in normal operation mode, allowing for accurate error code positioning and counting during analysis mode by selecting between encoded and error data based on a control signal, ensuring accurate error analysis and frame attribute counting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error expansion is performed in 64B/66B conversion during normal operation, then error codes are properly propagated through the system, but accurate positioning and counting of error codes becomes impossible during error analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: normal operation mode where error expansion is performed to ensure reliable error code propagation, and analysis mode where error expansion is suppressed to enable accurate error code positioning and counting. This dynamic configuration allows the same system to satisfy both contradictory requirements under different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of the 64B/66B converter between two states: when the control signal indicates normal operation, error expansion is enabled; when the control signal indicates analysis mode, error expansion is disabled. This parameter change allows the system to toggle between reliable error propagation and accurate error analysis capabilities.
2Reliability
If error expansion replaces all data in a block containing error codes, then error propagation is ensured, but end codes near error codes are overwritten causing incorrect frame identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a control signal to dynamically switch between normal operation mode (where error expansion occurs and may overwrite end codes) and analysis mode (where error expansion is suppressed to preserve end codes). This allows the system to maintain reliability when needed while preserving frame identification information during analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the operational parameter of the 64B/66B converter based on the control signal, the system enables error expansion only during normal operation and disables it during analysis mode, thereby preventing end code overwrite and preserving frame boundary information when accurate frame identification is required.
3Device complexity
If a single fixed processing mode is used in 64B/66B conversion, then system simplicity is maintained, but the system cannot simultaneously support both error propagation and accurate error analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The 64B/66B converter is designed with multi-functionality by accepting a control signal that enables it to perform two distinct functions: error expansion for reliable error propagation during normal operation, and error-free conversion for accurate error analysis during analysis mode. This universal design allows a single device to satisfy multiple contradictory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic configurability through a control signal input terminal, allowing the 64B/66B converter to adapt its processing behavior based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between error propagation mode and error analysis mode without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to correctly perform error analysis, test, or the like, a 64B/66B converter of a PCS processing unit of a transmitter conforming to 10 GBASE-R PHY performs 64B/66B conversion on data on a block basis that is transmitted over four lanes, the block being formed of two columns. In the conversion, when a control signal inputted via a control signal input terminal indicates a normal operation mode, if an error code in a block to be converted is detected by an error detector, error expansion that replaces all 8 bytes of data in the block with an error code /E/ is performed. In contrast, when the control signal indicates an analysis mode, the error expansion is not performed even if an error code is detected by the error detector.