Multi-Source Data Serialization With Skew and Jitter Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data serialization technologies face challenges in efficiently combining data from multiple sources due to issues like skew, jitter, phase drifts, and alignment errors, leading to increased complexity, cost, and resource demands, particularly in high-bandwidth applications such as high-definition video streaming and video conferencing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for serializing data from two independent sources into a single bitstream that dynamically compensates for skew, jitter, and phase drifts using a data processing circuit with parallel conversion, synchronization, and latching mechanisms, ensuring high-quality serialization under varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data from multiple independent sources is serialized using conventional methods, then data throughput is achieved, but skew, jitter, and phase drift errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing parallel conversion of data from multiple sources before serialization. The parallel conversion circuits convert serial data to parallel data early in the process, allowing synchronization to occur before the final serialization stage. This preliminary parallel conversion enables the system to handle skew and jitter between different data sources more effectively, as the data is already in a format that allows for timing alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses synchronization circuits as intermediary elements between the parallel conversion stage and the final serialization stage. These synchronization circuits act as mediators that align the timing of data from different sources, compensating for skew and phase drift. The intermediary synchronization stage allows data from multiple independent sources to be properly aligned before being combined into a single serialized stream, thereby maintaining data integrity while achieving high throughput.
2Reliability
If synchronization mechanisms are added to compensate for skew and jitter, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data processing function into separate parallel conversion circuits for each data source. Each circuit independently handles the parallel conversion and synchronization of its respective data stream. This segmentation allows the complexity of synchronization to be distributed across multiple independent modules rather than requiring a single complex synchronization mechanism, thereby improving data integrity while managing overall device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the form of configurable synchronization delays and timing adjustments within the synchronization circuits. By dynamically adjusting timing parameters such as delay values and phase shifts, the system can compensate for skew and jitter without requiring fundamentally different circuit architectures. This parameter-based approach allows the same basic circuit structure to handle varying timing conditions, improving data integrity while avoiding excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If parallel conversion and synchronization circuits are used, then robustness against skew and jitter is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing parallel conversion circuits and synchronization circuits that can handle multiple data sources with different timing characteristics using the same basic circuit architecture. The synchronization circuits are designed to be universally applicable to any number of input sources, requiring only configuration rather than additional hardware. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve robustness against skew and jitter across multiple sources without proportionally increasing manufacturing cost, as the same circuit blocks can be reused and configured for different numbers of inputs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to digital signal transmission systems and methods for serializing data produced by two or more independent data sources into a single bitstream with enhanced robustness against skew, jitter, phase drifts, and alignment errors. The system includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a serialization module. The first circuit includes a first parallel conversion circuit and a first synchronization circuit coupled to the first parallel conversion circuit. The second circuit includes a second parallel conversion circuit, a second latch coupled to the second parallel conversion circuit, and a second synchronization circuit coupled to the second latch.