Receiver Gain Mapping for Stable Ethernet Auto-Gain Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communications systems, such as 10Gbase-T Ethernet networks, face disconnection and re-connection issues due to frequent adjustments in signal power, which require re-converging of coefficients in the receiver's crosstalk suppressing and equalizer units, leading to instability in network connections.
Innovation Solution
A method and receiver design that utilize a gain-mapping table to determine and adjust digital gain values, allowing the receiver to set initial gain levels and avoid re-converging coefficients, even when signal power changes, by using an analog front end with an auto gain controller and a digital auto gain controller in conjunction with a gain processing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the analog gain level is adjusted according to signal power changes, then the signal reception quality is improved, but the coefficients of the crosstalk suppressing unit and equalizer must be re-converged, leading to connection instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the gain control into two independent segments: analog gain control (AAGC) for signal power adaptation and digital gain control (DAGC) for coefficient stability. By dividing the gain adjustment function between analog and digital domains, the system can adjust signal levels without triggering re-convergence of the equalizer and crosstalk suppressing coefficients, thus maintaining connection stability while preserving signal reception quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a digital gain controller (DAGC) as an intermediary component between the analog front-end and the data processing units. This intermediary handles the gain adjustment in the digital domain, allowing the analog gain to remain fixed during connection establishment while still achieving signal power adaptation, thereby preventing coefficient re-convergence and connection drops.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If frequent signal power adjustments are made during connection establishment, then excessive signal power and crosstalk are avoided, but disconnection and re-connection problems occur due to coefficient re-converging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary gain mapping table generation during manufacturing or initialization, storing the relationship between analog gain levels and corresponding digital gain values. This pre-established mapping allows the system to quickly determine the appropriate digital gain adjustment without real-time calculation or coefficient re-convergence, enabling frequent signal power adjustments during connection establishment without causing connection drops.
3Device complexity
If the receiver uses only analog gain control, then the system complexity is low, but the coefficients must be re-converged whenever signal power changes, causing connection instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the purely mechanical/analog gain control system with a hybrid approach that incorporates digital signal processing. By substituting the need for analog re-adjustment with digital gain compensation, the system eliminates the requirement for coefficient re-convergence while maintaining connection stability. The digital domain substitution allows for more precise and stable gain control without the side effects of analog adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
An analog and digital auto-gain control method includes the steps of: providing a gain-mapping table; determining an analog gain level according to a power of a far-end transmitted signal; obtaining a gain-mapping value from the gain-mapping table according to the analog gain level; obtaining a digital gain value according to the gain-mapping value; and adjusting a gain of a digital signal according to the digital gain value. A receiver that performs the auto-gain control method is also disclosed.