Multiplexed Serial Port Skew Control for Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication schemes in data storage devices, such as hard disk drives, are inefficient due to the large number of dedicated signal lines required for transmitting data and control signals between components, leading to increased complexity and latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiplexed communication using a bidirectional serial data line and a synchronous clock signal on a digital bus, where the direction of data transmission is controlled by a direction control signal, allowing for shared use of signal lines and reduced line count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dedicated signal lines are used for transmitting data and control signals, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and number of signal lines increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dedicated signal lines into a single bidirectional serial data line that can transmit both data and control signals. The controller multiplexes the serial data line to carry different types of signals (data, control, status) at different times, reducing the total number of physical lines while maintaining reliable communication through structured signal protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The serial data line is designed as a universal communication channel that can perform multiple functions: transmitting data in either direction, carrying control signals, and conveying status information. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated lines for each signal type, reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple dedicated control lines are used for bit-significant control signals, then control signal transmission precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control signal transmission functions into a single serial data line by time-multiplexing. Different control signals (read enable, write enable, status indications) are transmitted sequentially on the same line during different clock cycles, maintaining precise control while reducing the number of physical lines from multiple dedicated lines to one shared line.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses periodic clock signals to synchronize the transmission of control signals on the serial data line. Control signals are transmitted in periodic cycles where the direction control signal and data signals are shifted based on clock edges, ensuring precise timing and synchronization without requiring multiple parallel control lines.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional polling-based communication is used, then implementation simplicity is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical polling-based communication system with a synchronous serial communication system using clock signals. Instead of periodically checking for data availability through polling, the system uses clock-synchronized bidirectional data transfer where data is transmitted continuously or on-demand without waiting for polling cycles, significantly reducing latency while maintaining implementation simplicity through standard synchronous protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided, for example, to implement multiplexed communication between a controller and a preamplifier in a storage device. For example, multiplexed communication is implemented by controlling a bidirectional serial data line of a digital bus to selectively transmit digital signals in either a first direction from the controller to the preamplifier or a second direction from the preamplifier to the controller, in response to a direction control signal, and concurrently transmitting a synchronous clock signal over a clock signal line of the digital bus from the controller to the preamplifier to synchronize transfer and processing of the digital signals transmitted on the bidirectional serial data line of the digital bus. The direction control signal is transmitted from the controller to the preamplifier on one of the bidirectional serial data line and the clock signal line of the digital bus.