Multi-Level Transmitter Emphasis for Lower-Power High-Speed Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly functional electronic devices require high-speed data transmission, leading to increased power consumption, and existing communication systems do not effectively address the need for reduced power consumption while maintaining communication performance.
Innovation Solution
A transmitting device with a voltage generator, sub-drivers, and a controller that sets and adjusts voltage states to perform emphasis, allowing for efficient data transmission using three or more voltage states, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed data transmission is implemented to meet the data exchange requirements of highly functional electronic devices, then communication performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment by switching between multiple voltage states (first, second, and third voltage states) based on data transition requirements. The driver circuit dynamically selects appropriate voltage levels for different signal conditions, enabling adaptive power management that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining high-speed transmission capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter by introducing multiple voltage states (first voltage state, second voltage state, third voltage state) instead of using a single fixed voltage level. This allows the system to optimize power consumption by selecting appropriate voltage levels based on data transition patterns, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining communication performance.
2Reliability
If emphasis is performed to improve waveform quality and communication performance, then signal integrity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies emphasis selectively rather than continuously by using multiple voltage states. The first sub-driver applies higher voltage levels (first or second voltage states) only when data transitions require emphasis, while the second sub-driver handles non-emphasis conditions with lower voltage (third voltage state). This partial application of emphasis reduces overall power consumption compared to continuous emphasis while maintaining waveform quality where needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple voltage states are used to perform emphasis and reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driver circuit into two independent sub-drivers: a first sub-driver with first, second, and third switches for voltage state selection, and a second sub-driver for additional voltage adjustment. This segmentation allows each sub-driver to handle specific functions, simplifying the control logic while achieving multiple voltage states and reducing power consumption through coordinated operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transmitting device of the present disclosure includes: a voltage generator that generates a predetermined voltage; a first driver including a first sub-driver and a second sub-driver, the first dub-driver that includes a first switch provided on a path from a first power source to a first output terminal, a second switch provided on a path from a second power source to the first output terminal, and a third switch provided on a path from the voltage generator to the first output terminal, and is allowed to set a voltage state of the first output terminal to any of a predetermined number of voltage states which are three or more voltage states, and the second sub-driver that is allowed to adjust a voltage in each of the voltage states of the first output terminal; and a controller that controls an operation of the first driver to perform emphasis.