Dynamic Latency Transceiver Processing for Ethernet
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed Ethernet networks face challenges in implementing low-latency transceiver processing while minimizing hardware complexity and power dissipation, as existing technologies require significant computational resources and large electronic circuitry for high-precision signal processing, especially for long loop lengths and high data transmission rates.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically allocate transceiver processing between high-latency and low-latency processing based on link parameters, utilizing a processing controller to select between the two modes or combine them, with high-latency processing reducing hardware resources and low-latency processing minimizing delay, employing domain transformation and sparse FIR filtering to achieve efficient interference cancellation and data equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-precision, high-speed signal-processing with multiple filters is implemented to successfully decode signals over long loop lengths, then decoding reliability is improved, but hardware complexity and power dissipation increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic latency adjustment where the transceiver can switch between low-latency processing mode and high-latency processing mode based on link conditions. The processing latency is made variable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to different signal quality requirements and hardware resource availability, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the latency parameter of signal processing dynamically. By adjusting processing latency from low to high values, the system can trade off between decoding reliability and hardware complexity. High-latency processing allows more time for computations, improving reliability without requiring proportionally more hardware resources.
2Reliability
If time domain FIR filtering with many taps is used to reduce interference and improve data transport reliability, then filtering performance is improved, but chip area and power dissipation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the number of filter taps and processing latency based on link conditions. For long loop lengths requiring more filtering, the system can increase latency to accommodate more taps without proportionally increasing chip area, as the same hardware resources are reused over a longer processing period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing architecture that can function with different numbers of filter taps and different latency values using the same physical hardware. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high filtering performance with many taps without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each configuration, thereby reducing overall chip area.
3Device complexity
If block-processing techniques are used to reduce hardware implementation costs for long filters, then hardware complexity is reduced, but processing delay or latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes processing latency a dynamic parameter that can be adjusted based on link conditions. When block-processing is used to reduce hardware complexity, the system compensates by increasing latency, and when low latency is required, it switches to different processing modes. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for hardware complexity when possible.
4Reliability
If multiple long filters are implemented for echo, NEXT and FEXT cancellation and data equalization, then interference cancellation performance is improved, but power dissipation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts processing latency to manage power dissipation. By increasing latency, the system can perform interference cancellation operations more efficiently, reducing the instantaneous power requirements. The same filtering functions are achieved, but spread over a longer time period, reducing peak power consumption while maintaining overall cancellation performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of methods, apparatuses and systems for transceiver processing are disclosed. One method includes a transceiver receiving a data stream from a link partner transceiver. A link parameter of a link between the transceiver and the link partner transceiver is determined. Allocation of transceiver processing between high-latency processing and low-latency processing is based at least in part on the link parameter.