N-phase signal transition alignment for high-speed data links
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-wire, multi-phase data communication links, the maximum speed of communication is limited by the maximum time variation of signal transitions, causing receivers to change at different times relative to data or symbol boundaries, which requires a delay element that restricts throughput.
Innovation Solution
The system determines differences between consecutive symbols and estimates the transition interval, modifying driver operations to reduce the transition interval when it exceeds a threshold, ensuring temporal alignment of state transitions in receivers, and adjusting delays to align or advance state transitions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a delay element is implemented in the CDR circuit to accommodate transition time differences, then receiver transitions can be synchronized, but the maximum delay restricts the throughput by limiting the transmission clock period
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter proactively adjusts signal transition timing on different wires before the receiver processes the signals. By predicting and compensating for transition time differences in advance at the transmitter side, the system eliminates the need for delay elements at the receiver, thus maintaining both synchronization and high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical delay element approach with an electrical signal conditioning approach. Instead of using physical delay circuits that limit clock speed, the system uses transmitter-side signal adjustment to achieve synchronization, substituting a speed-limiting mechanical solution with a faster electrical control method
2Productivity
If the transmission clock period is reduced to increase throughput, then data transmission speed increases, but the transition interval becomes longer relative to the symbol interval, causing receiver desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter preemptively adjusts the timing of signal transitions on different wires to ensure they arrive at the receiver within a synchronized time window. This preliminary timing adjustment allows the system to use shorter clock periods for higher throughput while maintaining reliable symbol boundary detection at the receiver
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts signal transition timing based on the specific data being transmitted and the characteristics of each wire. By making real-time timing adjustments at the transmitter, the system can accommodate variable transition intervals while maintaining synchronization, enabling higher throughput without sacrificing reliability
Data Source
AI summary
System, methods and apparatus are described that facilitate transmission of data, particularly between two devices within an electronic apparatus. Information is transmitted in N-phase polarity encoded symbols. Drivers may be adapted or configured to align state transitions on two or more connectors in order to minimize a transition period between consecutive symbols. The drivers may include circuits that advance or delay certain transitions. The drivers may include pre-emphasis circuits that operate to drive the state of a connector for a portion of the transition period, even when the connector is transitioned to an undriven state.