Eye Margin Test Method for Semiconductor Receiver Signal Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the eye margin of a signal inside a semiconductor receiver is challenging due to noise effects like Inter Symbol Interference (ISI), making it difficult to accurately assess the signal quality using idealized computer simulations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that convert an analog input signal into a digital signal, generate a recovery clock signal, and adjust delay control codes to calculate eye margin codes by determining the delay margins of both the clock and data signals, allowing for accurate eye margin testing within the receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If computer simulations are used to test eye margin, then the testing process is simplified, but the accuracy of eye margin determination deteriorates due to idealized representations not reflecting real-world signal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model that copies the essential characteristics of real signal transmission including noise effects and ISI. Instead of using idealized simulations, the system constructs a virtual eye diagram that replicates actual receiver conditions, allowing accurate eye margin measurement while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing of the virtual model.
2Measurement precision
If eye margin testing is performed inside the receiver, then real signal quality assessment is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the eye margin testing function into distinct modular components: a virtual eye diagram generator that creates test patterns, a delay element that introduces controlled timing offsets, and a comparator that measures eye margin. This segmentation allows the complex testing functionality to be implemented as separate, manageable modules within the receiver, reducing overall system complexity while enabling precise real-signal assessment.
3Measurement precision
If delay control codes are adjusted to measure eye margin, then accurate timing measurement is achieved, but the measurement process time increases due to iterative delay adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating a virtual eye diagram with known characteristics before actual measurement begins. The virtual model is prepared in advance with embedded timing information, allowing the system to directly compare measured signals against the pre-prepared reference without iterative delay adjustments, thereby achieving accurate timing measurement while minimizing measurement time.
Data Source
AI summary
An eye margin test method includes receiving an analog input signal, receiving an analog input signal, generating a recovery clock signal based on the digital input signal, delaying the recovery clock signal by adjusting a first delay control code, obtaining a first delay margin code based on the delayed recovery clock signal, delaying the digital input signal by adjusting a second delay control code, obtaining a second delay margin code based on the delayed digital input signal, and obtaining an eye margin code by adding the first delay margin code and the second delay margin code.