Automatic Skew Compensation for MIPI D-PHY Reception Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In MIPI D-PHY reception systems, manual skew compensation between data and clock signals is inconvenient and time-consuming, especially in systems without the deskew function, leading to potential data reception errors due to varying transmission delays.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for automatic skew compensation, which includes a skew adjusting part that outputs delayed data signals with varying delay times, a start code detecting part to count normally detected start codes, and a control part to determine the optimal skew delay time based on signal reception quality, allowing for automatic correction of skew between data and clock signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual skew compensation is performed at the transmitting end or receiving end, then the skew between data signal and clock signal can be compensated, but the process is inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving end automatically performs skew compensation by itself without requiring manual intervention at either the transmitting end or receiving end. The apparatus uses the LP signal to generate delay compensation values and automatically adjusts the HS data signal timing, making the system self-correcting and eliminating the need for external manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the LP signal as a reference feedback mechanism to determine the appropriate delay compensation. By monitoring the LP signal timing and comparing it with the HS data signal, the system automatically calculates and applies the necessary skew compensation, creating a closed-loop feedback system that continuously maintains proper timing alignment.
2Reliability
If manual skew adjustment is performed step-by-step according to the number of skew steps, then the skew can be compensated, but it takes a considerable amount of time until normal data is received
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary timing analysis using the LP signal before processing the actual HS data. By pre-determining the skew compensation value based on the easily measurable LP signal timing characteristics, the system prepares the correct delay adjustment in advance, avoiding the need for time-consuming step-by-step adjustments during actual data reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical step-by-step adjustment process with an automated computational system. Instead of manually adjusting skew steps one by one, the system uses digital signal processing to calculate the optimal delay compensation value directly from the LP signal timing, substituting automated computation for manual mechanical adjustment.
3Speed
If the MIPI transmission rate increases, then the data transmission speed improves, but the transmission delay of each data signal line becomes non-constant due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the delay compensation parameter based on the actual timing characteristics observed in the LP signal. By adjusting the delay value to match the measured skew between LP and HS signals, the system compensates for environmental variations and maintains consistent effective transmission timing even at high data rates where delay variations become more significant.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for automatic skew compensation. The apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a skew compensating part configured to receive a high speed data signal and output a plurality of delay data signals having different delay times; a start code detecting part configured to detect a start code from the plurality of delay data signals; and a control part configured to determine a skew delay time depending on signal reception quality which is determined on the basis of the number of start codes normally detected for each different delay time. The apparatus may further comprise a packet start detecting part configured to receive an LP signal separated from an MIPI D-PHY and count the number of received packets. The packet start detecting part receives the LP signal separated from the MIPI D-PHY, and counts the number of packets received at every preset quality evaluation time by detecting the start location of a packet according to the state of the LP signal. The signal reception quality is obtained using the number of normally detected start codes and the number of received packets received and counted at every quality evaluation time. The present invention can automatically compensate the skew between a data signal and a clock signal in an MIPI D-PHY reception system.