BER Checker Bypassing Deserializer for Eye Viewer Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed serial interface receivers, such as those in Stratix IV GX or GT devices, performing bit error rate (BER) checking on data output by the eye viewer is hindered by the sharing of deserializer resources between BER checking and clock data recovery circuitry, preventing simultaneous use of the eye viewer for BER checking without interrupting the normal data path.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit (IC) with an eye viewer and a dedicated BER checker that receives a serial data signal directly from the eye viewer, bypassing the deserializer, allowing for BER determination without impacting the normal data link between the clock data recovery and deserializer, and optionally using soft IP within the IC core for BER checking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the data from the eye viewer is sent to the device core via the deserializer for BER checking, then BER checking can be performed, but the deserializer is shared between BER checking and clock data recovery circuitry, preventing simultaneous use of the eye viewer for BER checking without interrupting the normal data path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the BER checking function from the deserializer by providing a dedicated BER checker that receives serial data directly from the eye viewer, separate from the deserializer path. This allows the deserializer to be used exclusively for normal data reception while the BER checker independently performs error rate analysis on eye viewer data without conflict or resource sharing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated BER checker is implemented outside the IC core, then BER checking can be performed without sharing deserializer resources, but additional hardware components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated BER checker as an intermediary component that sits between the eye viewer and the error analysis function. This mediator receives serial data directly from the eye viewer, performs BER checking independently, and reports results without requiring integration into the IC core or sharing of the deserializer, thus simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining functionality.
3Reliability
If soft IP is used in the device core for BER checking, then BER checking can be implemented, but IC costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dedicated BER checker implemented as simple, fixed-function hardware logic rather than expensive soft IP cores. This approach uses basic digital logic components that are inexpensive to manufacture and integrate, providing the necessary BER checking functionality without the high costs associated with programmable soft IP implementations in the device core.
Data Source
AI summary
An IC that includes an eye viewer and a BER checker coupled to the eye viewer, where the BER checker receives a serial data signal from the eye viewer, is provided. In one implementation, the BER checker receives the serial data signal from the eye viewer without the serial data signal passing through a deserializer. In one implementation, the BER checker compares the serial data signal against a reference data signal to determine the BER for the serial data signal. In one implementation, the IC includes an IC core coupled to the eye viewer and the BER checker, where the BER checker is outside the IC core. In one implementation, the BER checker is a dedicated BER checker. In one implementation, the BER checker includes an exclusive OR gate, a programmable delay circuit coupled to the exclusive OR gate, and an error counter coupled to the exclusive OR gate.