Differential Signal Clock Recovery Without Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data speed tracking methods face limitations in transmission speed, complexity, area, power consumption, and DC balance due to overhead and the need for transition information in clock recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A data speed tracking apparatus and system that converts parallel input data into first and second signals, where identical bit values trigger transition information, reducing overhead by serializing and transmitting these signals, and using a differential output driver to prevent noise and simplify clock recovery at the receiving end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If clock is sent at regular intervals instead of data, then data transmission speed can be found easily, but transmission speed is limited due to overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts clock information from the data stream itself by detecting transitions in the differential signals, rather than sending separate clock signals. This removes the overhead of dedicated clock transmission while maintaining the ability to recover clock timing at the receiver end through transition detection in the data signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential signal pairs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they carry data information and encode clock timing information through transitions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate clock channels while maintaining both data transmission and clock recovery capabilities.
2Reliability
If 8B10B encoding is used to add transition information, then clock recovery is enabled, but overhead increases and circuit area and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using differential signal pairs where transitions themselves encode timing information. Instead of adding overhead bits through encoding schemes like 8B10B, the system modifies the signal domain to inherently contain clock recovery information through edge transitions, reducing computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The data signals themselves provide the clock recovery information through their transitions, making the system self-sufficient. The received differential signals automatically contain the timing information needed for clock recovery, eliminating the need for complex external clock synchronization circuits.
3Extent of automation
If transition information is added for clock recovery, then data speed tracking is enabled, but DC balance and circuit complexity are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses differential signal pairs as intermediaries that naturally provide transition information for clock recovery. The differential nature of the signals serves as a mediator that encodes timing information without requiring additional DC balance management circuits, as the transitions in differential pairs inherently provide the needed timing cues.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a system for automatically tracking data speed are disclosed. An embodiment of the invention provides a transmitting apparatus for automatically tracking data speed that includes: an encoder configured to convert parallelized input data according to a preset signal rule into a first signal and a second signal, where the input data is inputted as a unit of n bits, the encoder outputs the first signal and the second signal such that, if the input data includes identical bit values consecutively, one of the first signal and the second signal is converted to include transition information instead of following a differential rule with respect to the other signal; a serializer configured to serialize the first signal and the second signal; and a transmitting part configured to transmit the serialized first signal and second signal.