Analog Front-End Common-Mode Re-Biasing for Multi-Mode Receivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional analog front-end circuits face challenges in simultaneously meeting various requirements for newer communications specifications, leading to test failures and potential side effects when implementing electronic products.

Innovation Solution

A common mode voltage re-biasing circuit with a control circuit and multiple switchable sub-circuits that dynamically select between different circuit configurations based on control signals, ensuring optimal performance across various communications modes without introducing side effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional analog front-end circuits use fixed common mode voltage for each stage, then circuit design is simple, but the system cannot meet various requirements of newer communications specifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with newer communications specificationsVSAvoidcircuit configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic common mode voltage re-biasing by switching between different circuit configurations based on the selected communications mode. The control circuit dynamically adjusts the common mode voltage at different stages of the analog front-end circuit according to commands from the upper layer circuit, enabling the system to adapt to different communications specifications (e.g., PCIe Gen1-Gen5) without fixed design limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal common mode voltage re-biasing circuit that can handle multiple communications modes and specifications through a single integrated structure. The circuit includes multiple switchable configurations that can be selectively activated, allowing the same hardware to support various communications standards (Gen1, Gen2, Gen3, Gen4, Gen5) and different circuit configurations without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system supports multiple communications modes, then adaptability improves, but test failures and side effects occur due to existing circuit characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-mode communications supportVSAvoidtest pass rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the common mode voltage parameter dynamically based on the selected communications mode. The control circuit generates control signals that adjust the common mode voltage at different stages of the analog front-end circuit according to the requirements of specific communications modes. This parameter adjustment ensures optimal signal levels and impedance matching for each mode, preventing test failures and side effects that occur with fixed voltage designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the upper layer circuit selects the communications mode and sends commands to the physical layer circuit, which then adjusts the common mode voltage accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the circuit configuration matches the operational requirements, improving reliability by preventing mismatches that cause test failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If dynamic common mode voltage re-biasing is implemented, then performance optimization across modes is achieved, but circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunications performanceVSAvoidre-biasing circuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the common mode voltage re-biasing function into multiple independent switchable sub-circuits, each designed for specific communications modes or configurations. This segmentation allows the complex re-biasing functionality to be divided into manageable modules that can be selectively activated, making the overall system more manageable and easier to control despite the increased capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230253939A1Method for performing common mode voltage re-biasing in analog front-end circuit of receiver, associated common mode voltage re-biasing circuit, associated receiver and associated integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2023.08.10 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

A method for performing common mode voltage re-biasing in an analog front-end circuit of a receiver, an associated common mode voltage re-biasing circuit, the receiver and an associated integrated circuit are provided. The common mode voltage re-biasing circuit may include a control circuit and multiple switchable common mode voltage re-biasing sub-circuits. The control circuit generates at least one control signal according to a command, for controlling the common mode voltage re-biasing circuit to operate in a selected circuit configuration. The multiple switchable common mode voltage re-biasing sub-circuits select a predetermined circuit configuration from a first predetermined circuit configuration and a second predetermined circuit configuration according to the at least one control signal to be the selected circuit configuration to perform common mode voltage re-biasing operations corresponding to the selected circuit configuration, respectively.