HDMI Link Quality Assessment via Invalid Symbol Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HDMI devices lack adequate mechanisms for diagnosing link quality, as conventional error detection techniques cannot distinguish between corrupted and normal data, making it impossible to detect bit errors and thus assess Bit Error Rate (BER).
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for estimating received error rates by identifying and counting invalid symbols based on predetermined protocol formats and operational modes, determining the likelihood of detecting these symbols, and calculating the number of symbol errors, which can be used to diagnose link performance issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional error detection techniques are used in HDMI, then the system maintains simplicity and compatibility, but the ability to detect bit errors and assess link quality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary error detection mechanism that operates at the symbol level rather than bit level. Invalid symbols serve as mediators that indicate potential bit errors without requiring direct bit-by-bit comparison. The receiver detects invalid symbols according to the TMDS protocol specification, and these detections serve as proxies for underlying bit error conditions, enabling link quality assessment without complex bit-level analysis.
2Measurement precision
If bit error detection is implemented in traditional BER metrics, then accurate error rates can be measured, but this is impossible in HDMI receivers that cannot detect bit errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional error detection approach by not directly detecting bit errors, but rather detecting invalid symbols that result from bit errors. Instead of asking 'which bits are wrong?', the system asks 'which symbols are invalid?' This inversion leverages the TMDS protocol's symbol structure and validity rules to indirectly measure bit error rates through symbol validation, making error measurement feasible in HDMI receivers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If aggressive device form factors with metal casings are used, then device compactness and modern design are achieved, but electromagnetic interference and link reliability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver continuously monitors for invalid symbols and uses this information to assess link quality. When invalid symbols are detected, the system can infer the presence of electromagnetic interference or other link degradation factors. This feedback loop enables dynamic adaptation to environmental conditions, allowing the system to maintain reliable operation even in challenging form factors with metal casings that generate EMI.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for estimating received error rates. In one embodiment, the estimation of received error rates is conducted in relation to a bus interface such as a high-speed High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface, and the method utilizes corrupted symbols that violate TMDS symbol rules, the corrupted symbols being easily detected and counted. In one exemplary implementation, a symbol error rate (SER) can be estimated from the number of detected invalid symbols. The SER can be used to diagnose the performance of the HDMI interface, and optionally as a basis for selecting or implementing corrective action(s).