High Bandwidth Lane Deskewing via Idle Sequence Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-bandwidth communication networks, activating and deactivating inter-chip communication lanes without interrupting fixed delay transmissions is challenging, particularly in systems that require maintaining bufferless operation during the training phase.
Innovation Solution
The method involves exchanging indications between devices to activate new high-bandwidth lanes using 8b/10b code words over existing active lanes, sending idle and synchronization sequences, and utilizing a known non-idle sequence for deskewing, allowing seamless activation and deactivation of new lanes without interrupting fixed delay transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If buffers are added to maintain fixed delay during training phase, then fixed delay transmission is maintained, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing lane training and synchronization sequences before actual data transmission begins. The training phase includes sending synchronization sequences and adjusting skew values in advance, so that when data transmission starts, the lanes are already synchronized and ready for fixed delay operation without requiring buffers during the training phase itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the lane activation process adaptive and adjustable. The system dynamically adjusts skew values based on measured delays, selectively activates lanes based on traffic demands, and transitions between different operational states (training, synchronization, data transmission) without requiring static buffer configurations.
2Productivity
If all inter chip communication lanes are switched on, then bandwidth is increased, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the communication lanes into active and inactive groups. Instead of switching on all lanes simultaneously, the system selectively activates only the number of lanes needed based on current traffic demands, allowing bandwidth scaling while minimizing power consumption by keeping unused lanes in a low-power state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active lanes based on real-time traffic requirements. The lane activation is not static but adapts to changing bandwidth needs, enabling the system to optimize the trade-off between productivity and power consumption by activating lanes only when and where needed.
3Reliability
If lane training is performed before data transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs lane training and synchronization as preliminary actions before data transmission begins. The training phase includes sending synchronization sequences and measuring delays in advance, so that once training is complete, data transmission can proceed immediately with fixed delay characteristics without requiring buffers to compensate for training time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that the training phase is completed before data transmission starts, and once transmission begins, it continues without interruption. The fixed delay is maintained throughout the data transmission phase without requiring buffers to mask the training delay, as the training is completed beforehand.
4Use of energy by moving object
If selective lane activation is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but maintaining fixed delay becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing skew measurement and adjustment during the training phase before data transmission begins. The system measures the delay differences between active lanes and calculates appropriate skew values in advance, so that when data transmission starts, the lanes are already synchronized. This preliminary synchronization simplifies fixed delay maintenance during selective lane operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by measuring the actual delay differences between lanes during the training phase and using this information to adjust skew values. The skew adjustment is based on feedback from the measured delay variations, enabling the system to maintain fixed delay characteristics even when lanes are selectively activated and deactivated based on traffic demands.
Data Source
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AI summary
Seamless addition of high bandwidth lanes, including the steps of: sending, by a master, an idle sequence using 7b/10b code words over new high bandwidth lanes in parallel to sending and receiving 8b/10b data with a fixed delay over master-to-slave (m2s) and slave-to-master (s2m) active high bandwidth lanes; sending in parallel a synchronization sequence and a known non-idle sequence during an inter packet gap; utilizing, by the slave, the known non-idle sequence for deskewing the new high bandwidth lanes; and sending, by the master, a transition sequence over both the m2s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes, and immediately thereafter the master is ready to transmit high bandwidth data using 8b/10b code words over both the m2s active high bandwidth lane and the new high bandwidth lanes.