Optical Module Equalization Partitioning for Lower-Power Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication systems suffer from redundancy in equalization and retiming processes in both host ASICs and optical modules, leading to increased costs, size, and power consumption due to duplication of non-linear equalization and retiming functionalities.
Innovation Solution
Implement a linear processing path in optical modules, eliminating non-linear equalization and retiming, and reserve these processes for the host ASICs, thereby reducing duplication and optimizing power consumption and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-linear equalization and retiming are implemented in both host ASICs and optical modules, then signal integrity is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase due to redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the equalization and retiming functions exclusively to the host ASIC, removing these non-linear processing functions from the optical module. This segmentation eliminates redundancy while maintaining signal integrity, as the host ASIC performs all necessary non-linear equalization and retiming operations on the received signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the non-linear equalization and retiming functions from the optical module and concentrates them solely in the host ASIC. This extraction eliminates the redundant hardware in the optical module while preserving the signal recovery capabilities, directly reducing device complexity without compromising reliability.
2Reliability
If non-linear equalization and retiming are implemented in both host ASICs and optical modules, then signal recovery capability is improved, but power consumption increases due to duplication of functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power-consuming non-linear processing functions exclusively to the host ASIC, eliminating duplicate power consumption in the optical module. The host ASIC performs all FFE, DFE, and retiming operations, while the optical module operates in a linear, lower-power mode, significantly reducing total system power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the high-power non-linear equalization and retiming circuits from the optical module, eliminating their power consumption entirely from the module. This extraction concentrates power usage in the host ASIC where these functions are already necessary, avoiding duplication and reducing overall system power consumption while maintaining signal recovery capability.
3Reliability
If equalization and retiming functionalities are duplicated in host ASICs and optical modules, then signal processing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex non-linear signal processing functions exclusively to the host ASIC, simplifying the optical module design to linear processing only. This segmentation reduces the bill of materials and manufacturing complexity of the optical module, lowering unit costs while the host ASIC handles all advanced signal processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the costly non-linear equalization and retiming hardware from the optical module, eliminating the need to manufacture and stock these complex components in the module. This extraction simplifies optical module manufacturing and reduces unit costs, while the host ASIC retains full signal processing capability through its existing FFE, DFE, and retiming functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module configured to electrically connect to a host. A linear equalizer performs equalization on a host equalized signal to create a module equalized signal, and a driver configured to present the module equalized signal from the linear equalizer to an optical conversion device at a magnitude suitable for the optical conversion device. An optical conversion device receives the module equalized signal from the driver, converts the module equalized signal to an optical signal, and transmit the optical signal over an optical channel. Also part of the optical module is an interface which communicates supplemental equalizer settings to the host. A memory stores the supplemental equalizer settings which reflect the optical modules effect on a signal passing through the optical module. A controller oversees communication of the supplemental equalizer settings to the host such that the host uses the supplemental equalizer settings to modify host equalizer settings.