Parallel Bus Encoding to Suppress Simultaneous Switching Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing systems face challenges in maintaining performance due to variations in power supply voltage levels across integrated circuits, leading to increased power consumption and noise, which existing designs attempt to mitigate with additional margins that result in higher power usage and larger circuit sizes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes an encoder unit and transceiver units capable of dynamically adjusting data encoding schemes based on transmission quality, selecting between different numbers of data bits to minimize noise and power consumption by encoding data into silent or quiet code words that reduce simultaneous switching outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional margin is added into the design to compensate for power supply voltage variations, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and circuit area expands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the encoding scheme adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically selects between different encoding modes (first encoding scheme with M bits, second encoding scheme with P bits) based on transmission quality feedback. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption by using the more efficient encoding scheme when transmission conditions permit, while maintaining reliability when conditions deteriorate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of encoding bit width (M vs P bits) to adapt to varying transmission conditions. By modifying the encoding scheme parameters based on feedback about transmission quality, the system can operate at different power and reliability levels, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high reliability and reducing power consumption.
2Reliability
If additional margin is added into the design to compensate for power supply voltage variations, then system reliability is improved, but circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the circuit area requirement dynamic by implementing an adjustable encoding scheme. Instead of designing for the worst-case scenario with fixed margin, the system adapts its encoding complexity based on actual transmission quality, allowing the effective circuit area utilization to vary with conditions rather than being permanently oversized.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the encoding parameter (number of bits M or P) to match transmission conditions, avoiding the need for permanently oversized circuits designed for worst-case scenarios. This parameter adaptation allows the circuit to operate efficiently with smaller effective area when conditions allow.
3Device complexity
If fixed encoding scheme is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying transmission conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by receiving information about transmission quality and using it to select the appropriate encoding scheme. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to varying noise conditions and transmission quality, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability by automating the selection process based on actual conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static encoding scheme to a dynamic one that automatically adjusts based on feedback. This dynamic behavior provides adaptability to varying conditions while keeping the underlying encoding mechanisms relatively simple, as the system only needs to switch between predefined schemes rather than implement complex real-time encoding optimization.
4Speed
If parallel interface is used to communicate multiple bits simultaneously, then transmission speed is improved, but simultaneous switching output noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the encoding parameters (using silent or quiet code words with specific bit patterns) to reduce the number of simultaneous switching outputs. By carefully selecting code words that minimize transitions, the system maintains high-speed parallel transmission while reducing the harmful switching noise that would otherwise be generated by multiple bits changing state simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for encoding data are disclosed that may allow for different encoding levels of transmitted data. The apparatus may include an encoder unit and a plurality of transceiver units. The encoder unit may be configured to receive a plurality of data words, where each data word includes N data bits, wherein N is a positive integer greater than one, and encode a first data word of the plurality of data words. The encoded first data word may include M data bits, where M is a positive integer greater than N. Each transceiver unit may transmit a respective data bit of the encoded first data word. The encoder unit may be further configured to receive information indicative of a quality of transmission of the encoded first data word, and encode a second data word of the plurality of data words dependent upon the quality.