N-Phase Clock Recovery Circuit for CSI-2 Link Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

As computing systems become more complex, the interconnect architecture to couple and communicate between components increases in complexity to meet bandwidth requirements, but existing technologies struggle to balance performance with power savings, particularly in mobile ecosystems where performance is often sacrificed for power efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a multicore processor architecture with asymmetric cores and advanced interconnects, such as MIPI CSI-2 and DSI interfaces, that utilize training sequences during blanking intervals to ensure robust channel communication and energy-efficient data transmission, including 3-Phase and 4-Phase clock recovery circuits for improved data bandwidth and power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If complex interconnect architecture is used to meet bandwidth requirements, then data bandwidth is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata bandwidthVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different operating modes (3-phase and 4-phase) based on data patterns and power requirements. The clock recovery circuit adapts its phase sampling timing dynamically to optimize power consumption while maintaining data bandwidth requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters by using multiple phase configurations (3-phase vs 4-phase) and adjusting clock recovery timing. This allows the system to optimize the balance between data bandwidth and power consumption by selecting appropriate parameter settings based on actual needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If advanced clock recovery circuits are implemented, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clock recovery circuit acts as an intermediary that extracts timing information from the data signal itself. By using the data transitions as the clock source, the system achieves reliable synchronization without requiring a separate complex clock distribution network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The same data signal serves dual purposes: carrying information and providing clock timing. The n-phase clock recovery circuit universally handles both data transmission and clock synchronization functions, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2814198B1Apparatus, system, and method for n-phase data mapping
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 INTEL CORP
  • EP2814198B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2814198B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2814198B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus, methods, and systems are herein described for providing a method for calibrating a channel by employing a training sequence during at least one blanking interval. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first control logic to send a command to generate a predetermined data pattern during at least one blanking interval. In addition, the apparatus includes a second control logic to determine whether a received data pattern matches the predetermined data pattern. The calbration is performed for instance between a camera image sensor and an SOC device connected via a CSI2 link.