Die-to-Die Communication With Synchronized Redundant-Lane Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems between semiconductor dies face challenges in repairing degraded lanes, which cause signal quality degradation and system malfunctions, requiring temporary interruptions for repair.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that utilizes redundant lanes to bypass degraded lanes during continuous data transmission by synchronizing the repair time point through synchronization flags, allowing uninterrupted data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional static lane repair is performed, then the faulty lane can be repaired, but data transmission must be stopped causing system interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic lane repair by switching from static repair modes to a dynamic approach where the system can detect degraded lanes and switch to redundant lanes in real-time during data transmission. The control circuit dynamically adjusts the transmission path based on lane status monitoring, allowing repair operations to occur without stopping data flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing redundant lanes specifically for repair purposes while maintaining normal lanes for primary data transmission. The system monitors individual lane quality and selectively uses redundant lanes only when degradation is detected, rather than requiring complete system shutdown for repair.
2Productivity
If lane repair is performed without stopping transmission, then data transmission continuity is maintained, but synchronization between transmitting and receiving devices becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control circuit monitors lane status and sends control signals to switch between normal and redundant lanes. The receiving device receives corresponding control signals to synchronize its lane switching with the transmitting device, ensuring data integrity during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring redundant lanes and preparing switching control circuits before actual lane degradation occurs. When degradation is detected, the system can quickly switch to the pre-prepared redundant lane without delay, reducing synchronization complexity.
3Productivity
If redundant lanes are introduced for real-time repair, then uninterrupted data transmission is enabled, but the communication system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication lanes into normal lanes for primary data transmission and redundant lanes for repair purposes. The control circuit is divided into monitoring functions (detecting lane degradation) and switching functions (controlling lane transition), making the complex system more manageable and modular.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a communication system between dies and a repairing method for lanes between dies. The communication system includes a transmitting device disposed on a first die and a receiving device disposed on a second die. During the transmission process in which the transmitting device transmits a data unit stream to the receiving device through a native lane, after the native lane is determined to be a degraded lane, the transmitting device transmits a synchronization flag to the receiving device through a redundant lane to notify a repair time point. During the uninterrupted transmission process of the data unit stream, the transmitting device uses the redundant lane instead of the degraded lane based on the repair time point, and the receiving device uses the redundant lane instead of the degraded lane based on the repair time point notified by the synchronization flag.