DisplayPort 128B/130B Signaling for Flexible Control Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DisplayPort technologies face inefficiencies in signaling overhead and lack flexibility in providing control data within large data structures, particularly in supporting isochronous data applications like streaming video and audio, due to high signaling overhead in current encoding schemes such as 8B/10B, which limits their ability to support arbitrary control symbol insertion.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a modified data structure signaling using 128B/130B or 128B/132B formats, where command symbols are embedded within data structures to enable flexible control data provision and reception, allowing for arbitrary control symbol insertion and improved timing requirements for isochronous applications, while maintaining signal integrity and robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 8B/10B encoding is used in DisplayPort, then control symbols can be transmitted reliably, but signaling overhead increases to approximately 20%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the encoding parameters from 8B/10B (20% overhead) to 128B/130B or 128B/132B (approximately 1.5-2.5% overhead), dramatically reducing signaling overhead while maintaining control symbol transmission capability through modified command symbol structures that include type fields and source sink indicators
2Loss of energy
If larger data structures like 128B/130B are used, then signaling overhead is reduced, but the ability to support isochronous data applications is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control information into command symbols embedded within the 128B/130B or 128B/132B data structures. Each command symbol contains a type field that identifies control functions, allowing isochronous data applications to be supported through structured command symbol sequences that provide timing and control information within the larger data structure framework
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal command symbol structure that can serve multiple functions: data transmission, control signaling, and isochronous application support. The command symbols with type fields and source sink indicators provide a multi-functional mechanism that handles various data application requirements within the efficient 128B/130B or 128B/132B encoding framework
3Adaptability or versatility
If control symbols are inserted arbitrarily in data streams, then flexibility in control data provision is improved, but data structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining command symbol structures with type fields and source sink indicators before data transmission. This allows control symbols to be systematically inserted at predetermined positions within the 128B/130B or 128B/132B data structures, providing flexibility while maintaining structured organization that reduces processing complexity at the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for the flexible provision of control data within large data structures. In one exemplary embodiment, DisplayPort is modified from its existing 8B/10B line coding to 128B/130B (or 128B/132B). In one embodiment, the 128B/130B (or 128B/132B) block includes: sixteen (16) eight (8) bit command or data symbols and a two (2) bit (or four (4) bit) synchronization header. The synchronization header may provide a fixed reference to the next command symbol (for example, the symbol immediately following the synchronization header). In one variant, each command symbol is split into a first and a second portion, where the first portion identifies a control function (control symbol), and the second portion provides a reference to the next command symbol.