DFE Slicer Circuit with Temperature Offset Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
SERDES receivers face challenges in high-frequency, low-power, and small-area systems due to excessive loading of summers by multiple slicers, leading to increased power consumption and silicon area consumption, and temperature-dependent offsets in slicer circuits requiring significant current and larger device sizes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing temperature offset cancelation circuits in a second stage of the slicer circuit and using smaller input devices with isolation circuits to reduce summer loading, along with a modified temperature-dependent beta value to track temperature offsets, thereby reducing power and area requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple slicers are connected to summer output, then data processing capability is improved, but power consumption and silicon area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slicer circuit is divided into a first stage with small input devices and a second stage with temperature offset cancelation circuits. This segmentation allows the first stage to minimize summer loading while the second stage handles temperature compensation, reducing the need for excessive current in the summer and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining multiple slicer connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different stages of the slicer circuit are assigned different functions with optimized characteristics. The first stage uses small input devices specifically optimized for low summer loading, while the second stage incorporates temperature offset cancelation circuits. This local optimization allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high data processing capability.
2Measurement precision
If temperature offset cancelation is implemented in first stage, then offset tracking is improved, but current consumption and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature offset cancelation function is segmented and placed in the second stage rather than the first stage. The first stage maintains small input devices with minimal current consumption, while the second stage houses the temperature offset cancelation circuits that track and compensate for temperature-dependent offsets. This segmentation achieves accurate offset tracking without requiring significant current in the overall circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature offset cancelation circuits in the second stage perform preliminary compensation for temperature-dependent offsets before the signal is further processed. By implementing the offset cancelation in the second stage rather than the first, the circuit achieves accurate temperature tracking while avoiding the need for large current-consuming circuits in the critical first stage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If temperature offset cancelation circuits are added, then temperature stability is improved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature offset cancelation circuits are locally integrated into the second stage of the slicer circuit. This localized placement allows the temperature compensation function to be implemented with minimal additional area, as the circuits share the existing second stage infrastructure rather than requiring separate dedicated space. The small input devices in the first stage also contribute to reduced overall area by minimizing the loading on the summer.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature offset cancelation function is merged with the existing second stage of the slicer circuit. By combining the temperature compensation circuits with the regenerator stage, the patent achieves temperature stability without requiring separate dedicated area for offset cancelation, thereby improving temperature stability while minimizing the increase in device area.
4Loss of energy
If small input devices are used in first stage, then summer loading is reduced, but temperature offset tracking becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The slicer circuit is segmented into two stages with distinct functions. The first stage uses small input devices optimized for minimal summer loading, while the temperature offset tracking function is assigned to the second stage. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function without compromise - small devices reduce summer loading while the second stage handles temperature tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The second stage acts as an intermediary between the first stage and the output. It receives the signal from the small input devices of the first stage and performs temperature offset cancelation. This intermediary function allows the first stage to maintain small devices for low summer loading while the second stage ensures accurate temperature offset tracking through its dedicated cancelation circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
A slicer of a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) comprises an integrator circuit, a regenerator circuit coupled to the integrator circuit, and a temperature offset cancelation circuit coupled to the regenerator circuit. The integrator circuit comprises a first transistor associated with a first temperature-dependent beta value. The temperature offset cancelation circuit comprises a second transistor associated with a second temperature dependent beta value, a pair of first and second resistors, and a third transistor coupled to the pair of first and second resistors. The first resistor is coupled to the second transistor. The pair of first and second resistors is to modify the second temperature-dependent beta value to correspond to the first temperature-dependent beta value of the first transistor. The third transistor is to provide a bias current for biasing the first transistor.