3-Phase Signal Adaptation for Wiring Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed data communication interfaces, such as those defined by the MIPI Alliance C-PHY standard, face challenges in accommodating wiring misalignments without increasing device complexity and cost, particularly in mobile devices where components from different manufacturers may have misaligned connections.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using a 3-phase signal transmission over a 3-wire communication link, where a processing circuit determines misalignment and corrects phase relationships by inverting a bit of a 3-bit symbol, allowing for effective data transfer without the need for complex multiplexing or switching circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex multiplexing and switching circuits are used to accommodate wiring misalignments, then adaptability to different wiring configurations is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of signal encoding by inverting specific bits (first bit or second bit) of transmitted symbols based on the detected wiring configuration. This parameter change in the signal domain allows the system to adapt to misaligned wiring without adding complex hardware circuits, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical approach of using multiplexers and switching circuits with a software/logic-based approach of bit inversion in the signal processing domain. This substitution eliminates the need for complex hardware while achieving the same adaptability function
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex multiplexing and switching circuits are used to accommodate wiring misalignments, then adaptability to different wiring configurations is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the signal encoding parameter (bit inversion) rather than adding hardware, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining adaptability to different wiring configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple logic operations (bit inversion) that are inexpensive to implement compared to complex multiplexing circuits, effectively replacing expensive hardware with cheap software/logic solutions
3Reliability
If phase relationships are corrected by inverting bits of 3-bit symbols, then reliability of data transfer over misaligned wiring is improved, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses bit inversion (flipping bits) as the core mechanism to correct phase relationships caused by wiring misalignment. This inversion operation is simple yet effective in restoring correct phase relationships and ensuring reliable data transfer, while adding minimal processing complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus are described that facilitate transmission of data, particularly between two devices within an electronic apparatus. Two Integrated Circuit (IC) devices may be collocated in an electronic apparatus and communicatively coupled through a 3-wire, 3-phase interface. A data transfer method operational on a first of the two or more devices includes determining presence of a misalignment of the 3-wire communication link involving two or more wires, and inverting a first bit of a 3-bit symbol encoded in a transition of signaling state of the 3-wire communication link when the misalignment of the 3-wire communication link is determined to affect phase relationships between two or more signals carried on the three wires, such that inverting the first bit corrects the phase relationships between the two or more signals. A version of the 3-phase signal may be communicated in a different phase state through each of three wires.