Deserializer Pattern Detection for Reset-Free Word Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In serial to parallel conversion systems, especially when a reset signal is not available, existing technologies face challenges in inferring word boundaries in received data streams, leading to potential misalignment of data words.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a deserializer circuit, an alignment detection circuit, and a clock generator circuit that detects coarse word alignment and adjusts the clock generator to capture a fine alignment code, allowing for precise word alignment through a series of demultiplexers and flip-flops, enabling incremental bit position adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If word alignment is performed without a reset signal by inferring boundaries from the data stream, then the system can operate autonomously without external reset control, but the alignment precision deteriorates due to difficulty in accurately detecting word boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment detection is divided into two independent stages: coarse alignment detection that identifies potential word boundary regions, and fine alignment detection that precisely determines the exact boundary position. This segmentation allows the system to maintain autonomous operation while achieving high precision through specialized detection circuits for each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The coarse alignment detection is performed first to preliminarily identify potential word boundary regions before the fine alignment detection is executed. This preliminary action narrows down the search space and prepares the system for precise boundary detection, resolving the contradiction between autonomous operation and detection precision.
2Extent of automation
If the alignment detection circuit monitors data stream changes continuously, then the system can detect word boundaries autonomously, but the detection complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into coarse and fine stages, each with dedicated simplified circuits. The coarse detection circuit identifies potential boundaries using basic data change monitoring, while the fine detection circuit refines the position only within identified candidate regions. This segmentation reduces overall circuit complexity compared to a single continuous high-precision detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The coarse alignment detection performs a broader, less precise scan to identify candidate boundary regions, accepting some false positives. This partial action approach reduces the complexity of the initial detection phase, while subsequent fine detection eliminates false positives without requiring the entire system to be highly complex.
3Measurement precision
If fine alignment adjustment is implemented in incremental bit positions, then the alignment precision is improved to the bit level, but the device complexity increases due to additional shift blocks and demultiplexers
Solution Approach 1:
The fine alignment circuit is segmented into multiple shift blocks, each responsible for a specific bit position adjustment. This segmentation allows the system to achieve bit-level precision through modular components rather than a single complex adjustment mechanism, making the complexity manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The fine alignment circuit dynamically selects which shift block to use based on the detected misalignment position. This dynamic operation allows the system to achieve high precision alignment only when needed, rather than maintaining constant complex adjustment capabilities, thus improving precision without proportionally increasing continuous operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for word alignment. In some embodiments, the system includes a deserializer circuit, an alignment detection circuit, and a clock generator circuit. The clock generator circuit has a plurality of enable outputs connected to a plurality of enable inputs of the deserializer circuit, and a plurality of clock outputs connected to a plurality of clock inputs of the deserializer circuit. The alignment detection circuit is configured to detect a coarse word alignment; and, in response to detecting the coarse word alignment, to cause a reset of the clock generator circuit.