Optical Serial Interface Circuit for Idle-State Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices communicating via interconnects face challenges in achieving high communication speeds using optical signals due to the inability of simple electrical-to-optical signal conversion to maintain normal functionality.
Innovation Solution
A transmission circuit and reception circuit system that includes a photoelectric conversion device to convert electrical signals into optical signals, utilizing a squelch circuit and control circuits to manage idle states, enabling synchronized switching between electrical and optical signal formats to maintain communication speed and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If simple electrical-to-optical signal conversion is used, then communication speed can be increased, but normal communication function cannot be realized due to inability to properly handle idle states
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit generates an idle indication signal in advance when detecting an idle state command, before the actual idle state occurs. This preliminary action allows the reception circuit to prepare for the incoming idle state, ensuring proper synchronization and maintaining communication reliability during the transition to high-speed optical mode
Solution Approach 2:
An idle indication signal is introduced as an intermediary between the electrical signal and optical signal conversion process. This intermediary signal carries idle state information separately, allowing the photoelectric conversion device to properly handle idle states during optical communication, thus resolving the conflict between speed improvement and functional reliability
2Productivity
If electrical signals are directly converted to optical signals, then communication efficiency improves, but idle state recognition fails leading to communication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The signal transmission is segmented into two separate channels: the main data signal path and the idle indication signal path. By dividing the information transmission this way, the idle state information is preserved separately from the data stream, allowing the reception circuit to correctly identify idle states without compromising communication efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The idle indication signal serves as an intermediary that carries idle state information independently. This mediator ensures that idle state information is not lost during electrical-to-optical conversion, as it provides explicit notification of idle states to the reception circuit
3Speed
If optical signals are used for high-speed communication, then data transmission speed increases, but synchronized switching between electrical and optical modes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit continuously monitors the interface for idle state commands and provides feedback by generating idle indication signals. This feedback mechanism enables automatic and synchronized switching between electrical and optical modes, simplifying the control complexity while maintaining high-speed optical communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of idle state commands and generates indication signals before the actual mode switching occurs. This preliminary action allows the reception circuit to synchronize its switching timing, reducing the complexity of coordinated mode transitions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables correct recognition of idle states and synchronized switching between electrical and optical signals, ensuring seamless communication and maintaining high communication speeds by correctly transitioning between idle and active modes.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric conversion device to convert electrical signals into optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An interface is compliant with a first standard specifying transmission of a signal in a serial format, and is configured to receive an electrical signal in the serial format. A control circuit is configured to output a first issuance instruction upon detecting that a first command for instructing a device compliant with the first standard to switch to an idle state is received by the interface. A photoelectric conversion device is configured to convert a received electrical signal into an optical signal and output the optical signal, and, upon receiving the first issuance instruction, output a second command which indicates instruction to switch to the idle state and is in a form of an optical signal.