Communication Channel Calibration with Nonvolatile Parameter Store
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed mesochronous communication channels face challenges in efficiently recalibrating after power down events due to the 'chicken and egg' problem of needing communication to calibrate, leading to lengthy brute force calibration routines that consume significant resources and delay system performance.
Innovation Solution
A method that stores calibrated parameter values in nonvolatile memory, allowing for quick reactivation of communication channels upon power up, with subsequent adjustments for environmental drift using less exhaustive calibration processes, thereby reducing resource utilization and recalibration time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brute force calibration routines are used to recalibrate communication channels after power down events, then communication can be reestablished, but the process is lengthy and consumes significant time resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining optimal timing points during the initialization process (before power down events) and storing these calibrated values in nonvolatile memory. When power down events occur, the system retrieves these pre-stored timing points instead of performing exhaustive brute force calibration, thereby dramatically reducing recalibration time while maintaining communication reliability.
2Productivity
If timing points remain at original values during operation, then system operation is simple, but margin must be added to timing windows reducing signaling rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines optimal timing points in advance during initialization and stores them in nonvolatile memory. This preliminary calibration eliminates the need for complex real-time timing adjustments during operation, maintaining high signaling rates without requiring continuous complex calibration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces nonvolatile memory as an intermediary that stores pre-determined optimal timing points. This intermediary component allows the system to retrieve calibrated values quickly without performing complex calibration operations during operation, thereby maintaining high signaling rates while simplifying the operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If exhaustive calibration routines are performed after power down, then accurate timing points are obtained, but significant portion of initialization time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs exhaustive calibration during the initialization process (before power down events) and stores the accurate timing points in nonvolatile memory. During subsequent power down recovery events, the system retrieves these pre-calibrated accurate timing points without performing exhaustive calibration again, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing initialization time.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication channel is operated by storing a calibrated parameter value in nonvolatile memory during manufacturing, testing, or during a first operation of the device. Upon starting operation of the communication channel in the field, the calibrated parameter value is obtained from the nonvolatile memory, and used in applying an operating parameter of the communication channel. After applying the operating parameter, communication is initiated on a communication channel. The operating parameter can be adjusted to account for drift immediately after starting up, or periodically. The process of starting operation in the field includes power up events after a power management operation. In embodiments where one component includes memory, steps can be taken prior to a power management operation using the communication channel, such as transferring calibration patterns to be used in calibration procedures.