Dynamic Analog Tuning for Serial Link Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed serial communication links face increasing power consumption as data rates and transceiver numbers increase, necessitating efficient power management without compromising bit error rate performance.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic analog tuning of communication links adjusts control parameters for analog circuitry to reduce power consumption or redistribute power between transmitter and receiver, based on bit error rate, using a method involving a transmitter and receiver controller that processes bit error data to adjust pre-emphasis and equalization levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data rate and number of transceivers are increased to meet bandwidth and throughput requirements, then communication capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic analog tuning where the transmitter and receiver continuously adjust their control parameters (such as pre-emphasis and equalization settings) based on real-time bit error rate feedback. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption by reducing transmission power when channel conditions are good, while maintaining required data rates and throughput performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the communication link by adjusting analog control settings on both transmitter and receiver sides. By modifying parameters like voltage levels, pre-emphasis coefficients, and equalization characteristics, the system achieves optimal power efficiency at different operating conditions without sacrificing bandwidth or throughput requirements.
2Loss of energy
If analog controls are adjusted to reduce total system power, then power consumption is reduced, but bit error rate may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the bit error rate is continuously monitored and fed back to the transmitter and receiver controllers. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts analog control parameters to maintain the bit error rate within acceptable thresholds while optimizing power consumption. This closed-loop control ensures that power reduction does not compromise communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances between power consumption and bit error rate by continuously adapting analog controls. When the bit error rate is low, the system can reduce power consumption by adjusting transmission parameters; when the bit error rate increases, the system automatically increases power to maintain reliability, creating a dynamic equilibrium between these two parameters.
3Power
If analog controls are adjusted to move power dissipation between transmitter and receiver, then power distribution is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves power distribution optimization by adjusting analog control parameters on both transmitter and receiver sides. By changing parameters such as transmission voltage levels and receiver sensitivity settings, the system can shift power dissipation between the two devices to achieve optimal overall power efficiency, with each device having controllable parameter sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism is segmented into independent transmitter and receiver controllers, each managing its own analog parameters. This segmentation allows independent optimization of power distribution at each end while maintaining overall system efficiency, with each controller operating semi-autonomously based on system feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for dynamic analog tuning for power reduction. As disclosed herein, the analog controls on a high-speed serial communication channel are dynamically adjusted in a manner so as to either reduce the total system power or move power dissipation between the transmitter and receiver devices, with little or no negative effect to the bit error rate. One embodiment relates to a method for tuning a communication link. The method includes occasionally determining whether the bit error rate for the communication link is acceptably low. Control parameters for analog circuitry of the communication link are adjusted to decrease power used if the bit error rate is acceptably low and are adjusted to increase power used if the bit error rate is not acceptably low. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.