PCIe Compliance Monitoring for Skewed Truncated Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PCIe compliance testing methods struggle to accurately monitor and verify skewed truncated compliance patterns, particularly in the 8b10b mode, leading to errors in identifying correct compliance patterns and skew alignment, which affects data integrity and throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that receive a truncated compliance pattern, discard unexpected symbols, align lane FIFOs based on skew, and enable compliance pattern checkers to verify the accuracy of compliance patterns, frequency of delayed patterns, and disparity of symbols, supporting both normal and modified compliance patterns beyond standard skew limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional PCIe compliance testing methods are used to monitor skewed truncated compliance patterns, then the testing process follows standard procedures, but the accuracy of identifying correct compliance patterns and skew alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compliance pattern monitoring process into distinct functional components: a lane FIFO controller that manages individual lane data streams, a skew detector that independently analyzes timing deviations, and a pattern identifier that recognizes compliance patterns. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, improving overall measurement precision while maintaining reliability through modular error handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing skew detection and compensation before compliance pattern identification. The lane FIFO controller pre-aligns data streams by detecting and correcting skew conditions in advance, ensuring that when compliance patterns are analyzed, the data is already properly synchronized. This preliminary alignment significantly improves pattern identification accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard compliance testing is performed without specialized monitoring, then the testing process is simpler, but the capability to handle skewed truncated patterns beyond standard limits deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal monitoring system that handles multiple compliance pattern types (standard and skewed truncated) through a single integrated architecture. The lane FIFO controller, skew detector, and pattern identifier work together to process various pattern formats without requiring separate dedicated systems, achieving adaptability while controlling complexity through resource sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by making the monitoring system responsive to actual input conditions. The skew detector continuously monitors timing variations and dynamically adjusts alignment parameters, while the pattern identifier adapts its recognition criteria based on detected pattern types. This dynamic behavior enables the system to handle diverse skewed patterns without requiring complex pre-programming for each scenario.
3Manufacturing precision
If truncated compliance patterns are monitored without specialized alignment mechanisms, then the monitoring process is faster, but the accuracy of skew alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary skew detection and compensation through the lane FIFO controller before compliance pattern analysis. By pre-aligning data streams and correcting timing deviations in advance, the system ensures high alignment accuracy when patterns are monitored, while the pre-processing nature maintains overall productivity by preventing rework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical alignment adjustment mechanisms with automated digital signal processing. The skew detector uses digital algorithms to automatically detect and correct timing deviations, substituting precise mechanical adjustment with electronic compensation that achieves comparable or superior alignment accuracy while operating at higher speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include herein are directed towards a system and method for monitoring compliance patterns. Embodiments may include a re-timer device-under-test configured to transmit a truncated compliance pattern associated with a PCIe compliance mode. Embodiments may further include a BFM monitor configured to receive the truncated compliance pattern and to identify a communication signal associated with the truncated compliance pattern. The BFM monitor may be further configured to discard at least one unexpected symbol on at least one lane associated with the communication signal and to collect compliance patterns on all lanes of the communication signal. The BFM monitor may be further configured to align one or more lane FIFOs based upon skew and to enable one or more compliance pattern checkers.