Physical Layer Data Stream Segmentation Using Special Symbols
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flash memory devices, particularly in NAND flash devices, the phase-locked loop (PLL) losing lock due to frequency differences or environmental factors causes unwanted bits to be inserted or lost in data streams during transmission, leading to errors in data segmentation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for segmenting a data stream in the physical layer, including a host interface, data register, boundary detector, and stream splitter, which uses a special symbol to detect and update the offset register, enabling accurate division of data bits into segments, even during PLL unlock events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If SerDes is used to provide data transmission over a single line to minimize I/O pins, then the number of I/O pins is reduced, but data transmission errors occur when PLL loses lock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by inserting a special symbol (K28.1 FTS) at a predetermined position in the data stream before transmission. This special symbol serves as a pre-prepared reference marker that the boundary detector can use to re-synchronize and correct segmentation errors when PLL lock is lost, preventing the need for complex retransmission protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the boundary detector that continuously monitors the data stream for the special symbol. When the special symbol is detected, the system uses its position information to adjust the segmentation boundaries and correct any drift or errors that occurred during transmission, creating a closed-loop error correction mechanism
2Productivity
If data stream segmentation is performed without special boundary markers, then the data stream can be transmitted continuously, but segmentation errors occur when PLL loses lock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a special symbol (K28.1 FTS) as an intermediary element within the data stream. This special symbol acts as a mediator between the transmitted data and the boundary detector, providing a reliable reference point that enables accurate segmentation even when the PLL loses lock, without disrupting the continuous flow of data transmission
Data Source
AI summary
The invention introduces an apparatus for segmenting a data stream, installed in a physical layer, to include a host interface, a data register and a boundary detector. The data register is arranged to operably store data received from the host side through the host interface. The boundary detector is arranged to operably detect the content of a data register. When the data register includes a special symbol, the boundary detector outputs a starting address that the special symbol is stored in the data register to an offset register to update a value stored in the offset register, thereby enabling a stream splitter to divide data bits of the data register according to the updated value of the offset register.