Multichannel Frame Synchronization Using Clock Phase Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multichannel high-speed interfaces face challenges in synchronizing channels efficiently due to increased latency and complex control requirements for delay correction between channels, making it difficult to achieve frame synchronization and reduce latency.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization device with receiver circuits that perform serial-to-parallel conversion and adjust the clock signal phase to match an internal clock, using clock-and-data recovery circuits and frequency dividers to generate synchronized frequency-divided clock signals, allowing for simultaneous synchronization of multiple channels with reduced latency and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If delay correction is performed sequentially between channels using existing synchronization devices, then channel synchronization is achieved, but the time required for synchronization increases significantly with multiple channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines delay correction and frame synchronization operations into a single integrated process. Instead of performing sequential delay correction between channel pairs followed by frame synchronization, the invention performs both operations simultaneously using a unified control mechanism that processes all channels in parallel, thereby reducing total synchronization time while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary frame pattern detection and timing adjustment before final synchronization is established. By detecting frame patterns early and pre-adjusting timing relationships among channels based on detected patterns, the system prepares synchronization conditions in advance, allowing faster final synchronization without compromising accuracy
2Measurement precision
If complex control structures are used to achieve frame synchronization and delay correction in multichannel interfaces, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal control mechanism that handles both delay correction and frame synchronization functions through a single integrated controller. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate control circuits for each synchronization task, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high synchronization accuracy through unified timing management
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service mechanisms where channel circuits automatically adjust their own timing based on detected frame patterns from other channels. This decentralized approach reduces the need for complex centralized control structures, as each channel independently contributes to the synchronization process through simple local adjustments guided by universal timing signals
3Speed
If high-speed FIFOs are implemented to reduce latency in serial-to-parallel conversion, then data transfer speed is improved, but power consumption and circuit area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the latency-reducing function from high-speed FIFO buffers and implements it through optimized timing control and direct data path routing. By removing the need for large-capacity FIFOs and instead using precise timing management at critical points in the data path, the system achieves low latency with minimal buffering requirements, thereby reducing power consumption and circuit area
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements data skipping techniques where complete frames or data blocks are transferred directly from serial to parallel format without intermediate buffering stages. This rushing-through approach bypasses traditional multi-stage FIFO architectures, enabling high-speed data transfer while minimizing the time data spends in buffered states, thus reducing overall power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for performing a channel-to-channel delay correction and frame synchronization with low latency includes, on each of a plurality of channels, a clock-and-data recovery circuit, a frequency divider circuit, a circuit for detecting the phase difference between the phase of the frequency-divided clock signal and the phase of a clock signal, a serial-to-parallel converter circuit, a register array for holding the parallel output of the serial-to-parallel converter circuit, and a frame-head detector for detecting a frame head from the output of the register array and outputting a frame detection signal. A last-frame-head detector receives the frame detection signals from each of the channels and detects a channel on which the frame head was detected last. The frame head detected last, the phase of the internal clock signal, and the phase of a frequency-divided clock of a retiming clock of the channel are adjusted to substantially coincide.