Link Simulation Tool for High-Speed Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current simulation tools for high-speed communications links, such as those operating at data rates greater than 10 Gbps, fail to accurately model non-deterministic effects like noise and jitter, leading to inadequate design and testing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A link simulation tool that models high-speed communications links using behavioral models, including transfer functions and probability density functions, performs two-dimensional convolution, and dual domain transformations to simulate the behavior of TX and RX circuitry and channels, accounting for noise and jitter to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transistor-level simulation (HSPICE) is used to simulate high-speed communications links, then simulation accuracy is improved, but simulation time increases to hours or days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the transistor-level physical simulation model with a behavioral model that uses mathematical equations to represent circuit functionality. This substitution maintains simulation accuracy for high-speed communications links while dramatically reducing simulation time from hours/days to seconds/minutes by avoiding detailed physical-level computations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the modeling parameters from physical transistor-level parameters to behavioral parameters including transfer functions, probability density functions for noise and jitter, and statistical characteristics. This parameter transformation enables accurate modeling of non-deterministic effects without the computational burden of physical-level simulation.
2Loss of time
If conventional behavior-based simulation tools (PELE) are used, then simulation time is reduced, but accuracy in modeling high-speed links (>10 Gbps) deteriorates due to exclusion of random effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite simulation model that integrates both deterministic behavioral models and statistical models for random effects. This composite approach combines transfer functions with probability density functions for noise and jitter, enabling simultaneous achievement of fast simulation time and high accuracy for modern high-speed links.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the statistical dimension to the traditional behavioral model by incorporating probability density functions that model random noise and jitter effects. This dimensional expansion from purely deterministic to stochastic-behavioral modeling enables accurate characterization of high-speed link performance without sacrificing simulation speed.
3Device complexity
If deterministic modeling is used to simulate communications links, then simulation simplicity is maintained, but ability to model non-deterministic effects (noise and jitter) is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic statistical characteristics into the behavioral model to represent time-varying noise and jitter effects. This dynamic modeling approach maintains relative simplicity while significantly improving reliability by capturing the probabilistic nature of non-deterministic effects in high-speed communications.
Data Source
AI summary
A link simulation tool for simulating high-speed communications link systems is provided. Communications links may include link subsystems such as transmit (TX) circuitry, receive (TX) circuitry, oscillator circuits that provide reference clock signals to the TX and RX circuitry, and channels that link the TX and RX circuitry. The link simulation tool may model each of the subsystems using behavioral models. The behavioral models may include characteristic functions such as transfer functions, probability density functions, and eye characteristics. The link simulation tool may have a link analysis engine that is capable of performing two-dimensional (two-variable) convolution operations and in applying dual-domain (frequency-time) transformations on the characteristic functions provided by the behavioral models to simulate the performance of the link system. The link simulation tool may have an input screen that allows a user to specify desired link parameters and a data display screen that display simulated results.