Autonomous Eye Mask Determination for High-Speed Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the eye mask of a receiver device in PCIe and high-speed SerDes links require multiple interactions with external test equipment, which is expensive and limited in use, making it difficult to measure eye opening tolerance effectively.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that autonomously calculates the eye mask by iteratively adjusting threshold levels in response to evaluation results, allowing the device under test to perform the eye opening test independently while the firmware can perform other operations, using a state machine to manage the eye mask calculation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external test equipment is used to perform eye mask measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver device performs eye mask measurement autonomously using its own internal resources (threshold setting units, evaluation units, and controllers) without requiring external test equipment. The device self-evaluates its performance by iteratively adjusting threshold levels and measuring bit error rates, thereby eliminating the need for complex external measurement apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified internal measurement system that replicates the essential functionality of external test equipment. By implementing threshold setting units and evaluation units within the receiver, the system copies the measurement capability in a more integrated and efficient manner, reducing external dependencies.
2Measurement precision
If multiple firmware interactions are required for eye mask measurement, then measurement is performed, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver device pre-configures its internal measurement system with threshold setting units and evaluation units before performing eye mask measurement. This preliminary setup allows the device to autonomously execute the measurement process without requiring multiple iterative firmware interactions during the actual measurement, thereby improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous measurement system enables continuous operation by eliminating interruptions caused by multiple firmware interactions. The receiver can perform eye mask measurement continuously and independently, allowing the firmware to perform other operations simultaneously without waiting for measurement cycles to complete.
3Measurement precision
If external test equipment is used, then eye opening tolerance can be evaluated, but loss of time occurs due to multiple interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver device autonomously evaluates its own eye opening tolerance using internal threshold setting and evaluation units, eliminating the time-consuming multiple interactions with external test equipment. The self-contained measurement system performs all necessary adjustments and measurements in a single autonomous operation sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction system between external test equipment and the receiver with an integrated electronic measurement system. By substituting the external equipment-based measurement mechanism with internal autonomous evaluation, the system eliminates the time delays associated with physical connections and multiple interaction cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining an eye mask of a device under test (DUT) which is configured to receive a data bit stream signal including a threshold level value and output a data bit stream output signal. The apparatus includes an input unit configured to receive the data bit stream output signal provided by the DUT, an evaluation unit configured to evaluate the received data bit output signal and provide an evaluation result, and a controller configured to change the threshold level value in response to the evaluation result. The apparatus is integrated into the DUT and can operates autonomously without multiple interactions with a tester.