Multi-Rate Network Transmitter Circuit with Adjustable Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of network device transmitters for high-speed Ethernet devices, such as 1 Gbps, is complex and space-consuming due to the need for slew rate control and multiple signal levels, making it difficult to manage chip space and transmission flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter unit with a signal converter that switches between direct and indirect level conversion modes and a feedback network with adjustable configurations to control slew rate and signal levels, allowing for flexible transmission rate adaptation and efficient chip usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slew rate control is implemented in the voltage-controlled current source to avoid signal overshoot, then transmission signal quality is improved, but circuit complexity and chip space consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the slew rate control function from the voltage-controlled current source and implements it separately in the signal driver stage. This separation allows the voltage-controlled current source to focus on generating the differential current with the required 17 levels, while the signal driver handles the slew rate control by configuring different output impedance values, thereby reducing the complexity of the voltage-controlled current source circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of the signal driver between two operational states: a first configuration for 1 Gbps transmission rate and a second configuration for lower transmission rates. This dynamic adaptation allows the circuit to optimize its behavior for different transmission requirements, providing slew rate control when needed while maintaining simplicity for high-speed operation.
2Speed
If the voltage-controlled current source outputs 17 levels of differential current to match 1 Gbps transmission requirements, then transmission rate capability is improved, but circuit design difficulty and chip space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission function into two independent modules: the voltage-controlled current source that generates 17 levels of differential current for high-speed capability, and the signal driver that adapts the signal for different transmission rates. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall circuit design difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal driver is designed with multi-functionality to handle both 1 Gbps and lower transmission rates by switching between two configurations. This universal design allows the same circuit to serve multiple transmission rate requirements, reducing the need for separate dedicated circuits for each rate.
3Speed
If the signal driver is configured for 1 Gbps transmission with 17 signal levels, then high-speed transmission capability is improved, but flexibility for other transmission rates decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal driver incorporates dynamic reconfigurability with two distinct configurations that can be switched based on the required transmission rate. The first configuration optimizes for 1 Gbps with 17 signal levels, while the second configuration adapts for lower transmission rates, providing the necessary flexibility without sacrificing high-speed capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A network transmitter and an associated transmitting method are disclosed. The network transmitter includes a signal converter and a signal driver. The former can convert an input signal into a current signal, and the latter can output a differential transmission signal according to the current signal. The signal driver includes a feedback network which can switch between a first configuration and a second configuration.