Protocol-Agnostic Repeater Using Clock Signal Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current repeaters in communication links, particularly in PCIe networks, face challenges in efficiently handling varying data rates and protocols, leading to increased complexity, cost, and energy consumption due to the need for frequent reconfiguration and protocol-specific recognition.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves embedding additional information, such as operating parameters, into a clock signal using modulation techniques like pulse-width modulation (PWM), allowing repeaters to dynamically adjust their settings without requiring protocol-specific recognition, thus simplifying the configuration process and reducing the need for frequent reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If repeaters are configured for particular modes of operation with protocol-specific recognition, then reliability of signal transmission is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single repeater architecture that can handle multiple protocols (PCIe, USB 3.0, SAS, SATA) and operating modes without requiring protocol-specific hardware configurations. The repeater uses a standardized mechanism to extract operating parameters from different protocols, making it versatile and reducing complexity while maintaining reliable signal transmission across various protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If repeaters participate in link training to detect and decode communications, then adaptability to different data rates is improved, but use of energy increases due to tracking and extracting parameters from fast-moving messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by removing the repeater from active participation in link training and parameter detection. Instead, the endpoints perform all link training and parameter extraction, then communicate only the essential operating parameters to the repeater through a simplified sideband channel. This reduces the repeater's energy consumption while maintaining adaptability to different data rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sideband communication channel as an intermediary between endpoints and repeater. This sideband channel carries operating parameters separately from the main high-speed data stream, allowing the repeater to receive configuration information without needing to decode fast-moving protocol messages, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining adaptability.
3Length of stationary object
If higher-powered transmitters and repeaters are used to compensate for signal degradation at higher data rates, then signal transmission distance is improved, but heat generation and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling dynamic adjustment of repeater operating parameters based on actual link conditions. The repeater can adapt its signal boosting level, equalization settings, and re-timing parameters according to the negotiated data rate and channel quality, avoiding unnecessary high-power operation and reducing heat generation while maintaining adequate transmission distance.
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
This approach enables repeaters to adapt to changing data rates and protocols seamlessly, reducing complexity, cost, and energy consumption while maintaining signal integrity over longer distances, thereby enhancing the efficiency and versatility of communication links.
Implementation Method 1
embedding additional information, such as operating parameters, into a clock signal using modulation techniques like pulse-width modulation (PWM)
Implementation Method 2
The solution involves embedding additional information, such as operating parameters, into a clock signal using modulation techniques like pulse-width modulation (PWM)
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is described for simplifying implementation of repeater (e.g., re-driver/re-timer) module implementation in high-data-rate interconnects that carry a relatively low-data-rate clock signal as well as the data stream (e.g., PCIe). At the endpoint, any information critical to the function of the repeater (e.g., the most recent data rate negotiated by a pair of endpoints communicating through the repeater) is embedded in the clock signal by pulse-width modulation as ordered sets. The repeater only needs to read the clock-embedded information rather than decoding the data stream. Thus repeaters for such applications reconstruct the high-rate data-stream while actually decoding only the low-rate clock signal. Because the clock-signal protocol is independent of the data-stream protocol, the repeater's operation is protocol-agnostic with respect to the data-stream.