Inductive Coupling Integrated Circuit for High-Speed Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication technologies between semiconductor chips are limited by system clock speed, suffer from manufacturing variations in ring oscillators, and are not suitable for high-speed data transfer due to jitter and phase information loss, leading to restricted data transfer rates and area constraints.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit design that includes a transmitter chip with a pulse generator and multiplexer for generating and transmitting timing pulses via inductive coupling, and a receiver chip with a phase interpolator and hysteresis comparator for demultiplexing and accurately receiving data, allowing for faster data transfer and noise tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If synchronous communication with system clock is used, then timing is synchronized, but data transfer rate is limited by system clock speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic timing pulses generated by a pulse generator to multiplex data signals. Instead of continuous synchronous sampling limited by system clock, the system employs periodic pulse sequences that can operate at higher frequencies independent of the system clock, enabling faster data transfer rates while maintaining timing synchronization through the periodic nature of the pulses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission into discrete time slots defined by the timing pulses. Each pulse represents a separate time slot for data transmission, allowing multiple data bits to be multiplexed in sequence. This segmentation enables the data transfer rate to exceed system clock speed by dividing the continuous data stream into pulse-synchronized segments
2Speed
If ring oscillators are used for high-speed timing, then data transfer rate increases, but manufacturing variations cause jitter and phase information loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pulse generator as an intermediary device between the data source and the transmission medium. This pulse generator produces precise timing pulses that serve as a mediator to synchronize data transmission, eliminating the need for ring oscillators on each chip. The pulse generator's output provides a stable reference that compensates for manufacturing variations and prevents jitter, ensuring reliable timing accuracy at high data transfer rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the timing pulses generated by the pulse generator are used to control the multiplexing process. The receiver detects these pulses and uses them to synchronize the demultiplexing operation, creating a feedback loop that maintains timing accuracy. This feedback system compensates for any drift or variation, ensuring that phase information is preserved even at high data transfer rates
3Productivity
If more timing pulses are generated for data transmission, then data transfer rate increases, but pulse width must be increased to secure timing, reducing transfer rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of pulse width to be minimized rather than maximized. By using narrow timing pulses from the pulse generator, the system reduces the time each pulse occupies the transmission medium. This parameter change allows more pulses to be transmitted per unit time, increasing the data transfer rate. The receiver is designed to detect these narrow pulses effectively, ensuring that timing synchronization is maintained without requiring excessive pulse width
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables faster data transfer rates beyond system clock limitations, maintains accurate timing information with jitter handling, and minimizes chip area, while being tolerant to noise and variations in transistor characteristics and power supply voltage.
Implementation Method 1
a first transmitter for transmitting by inductive coupling a multiplexed signal multiplexed by the multiplexer; a second transmitter for transmitting the timing pulse by inductive coupling
Implementation Method 2
a first receiver for receiving the multiplexed signal by inductive coupling; a second receiver for receiving the timing pulse by inductive coupling
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit multiplexes transmission data faster than by a system clock, and transfers a timing pulse Txclk for that multiplexing and a multiplexed signal Txdata from a transmitter chip 100 to a receiver chip 150 through communications by inductive coupling, respectively. Because of a transfer by inductive coupling being broadband, close-proximity wireless communications, the receiver chip 150 can faithfully obtain timing information on the timing pulse Txclk including jitter generated by a simple oscillator, and can thus accurately restore original data even by a high-speed transmission. This allows, in an integrated circuit that carries out communications by inductive coupling between chips to be stacked and mounted, carrying out communications between semiconductor chips with a small required area and faster than by a system clock.