Adapting Communication Links to Individual Lane Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication link settings are often sub-optimal due to variations between simulated and actual characteristics of communication lanes, leading to inefficient data transmission across devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adapt communication links dynamically or statically based on individual link conditions using feedback mechanisms, allowing devices to adjust settings such as voltage margin, timing margin, and power dissipation for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pre-determined settings are used based on software simulation, then device configuration is simplified, but communication link performance becomes sub-optimal due to variations between simulated and actual characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where communication links transmit training sequences and receive feedback signals indicating link quality metrics. The transmitting device adjusts its settings based on this feedback to optimize communication performance. This resolves the contradiction by enabling dynamic adaptation to actual link conditions while maintaining simplified initial configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of communication link settings during operation. The system transitions from static pre-determined settings to dynamic adaptation where parameters such as voltage swing, equalization, and modulation are continuously optimized based on real-time link conditions. This allows the system to maintain optimal performance despite variations between simulation and actual hardware.
2Device complexity
If a single common setting is used for all communication lanes, then device complexity is reduced, but significant lane-to-lane variations cause sub-optimal communication performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication link optimization process into individual lane evaluations. Each communication lane is independently characterized through training sequences and feedback signals, allowing separate optimization of settings for each lane. This resolves the contradiction by enabling lane-specific adaptation without requiring complex manual configuration of each lane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality optimization by adjusting communication settings specifically for each lane based on its individual characteristics. Rather than applying a uniform setting across all lanes, the system tailors voltage swing, equalization, and other parameters to match the specific performance needs of each communication lane, thereby optimizing overall system performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If actual lane characteristics vary from simulation models, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but communication link settings become sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of communication links during manufacturing or initialization phases. Training sequences are transmitted and feedback is collected to establish baseline performance metrics for each lane before normal operation begins. This preliminary action captures actual hardware variations and enables subsequent optimization, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing flexibility and link performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system to adapt communication links statically and/or dynamically to their individual link conditions on a platform. The communicatively coupled devices have logic to adapt one or more settings of a respective one or more communication links with another device based at least in part on a respective metric of received data patterns from the respective one or more communication links. The communicatively coupled devices in the platform have a back channel to allow feedback or information to be sent from one receiving device to a transmitting device in one embodiment of the invention.