Receiver Margin Mapping in ICs Without Dual Receiver Circuits

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integrated circuits for high-speed transmission interfaces face increased power consumption and capacitive load due to the configuration of two sets of receiver circuits, which are used to detect and report receiver margins, thereby reducing working performance.

Innovation Solution

An integrated circuit with a receiver circuit and processing circuit that processes communication signals based on setting threshold voltages and current operating parameters, using a parameter-to-eye height mapping relationship to determine and return receiver margins, eliminating the need for an additional receiver circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If two sets of receiver circuits are configured to detect and report receiver margins, then receiver margin detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases and capacitive load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver margin detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the two separate receiver circuits into a single receiver circuit. The first receiver circuit processes communication signals from the host while the second receiver circuit is eliminated. Instead, the processing circuit repurposes the first receiver circuit to detect and report receiver margins by processing communication signals and determining eye height data based on operating parameters, thereby eliminating the need for duplicate hardware while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first receiver circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes communication signals for data reception and simultaneously detects receiver margins by analyzing eye height data. The processing circuit enables this multi-functionality by configuring the receiver circuit to operate in different modes and by determining operating parameters that reflect both signal processing quality and margin status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If two sets of receiver circuits are configured to detect and report receiver margins, then receiver margin detection capability is improved, but capacitive load on transmission path increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver margin detection capabilityVSAvoidcapacitive load

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the two separate receiver circuits into a single receiver circuit. The first receiver circuit processes communication signals from the host while the second receiver circuit is eliminated. Instead, the processing circuit repurposes the first receiver circuit to detect and report receiver margins by processing communication signals and determining eye height data based on operating parameters, thereby eliminating the need for duplicate hardware while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If two sets of receiver circuits are configured to detect and report receiver margins, then receiver margin detection capability is improved, but working performance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver margin detection capabilityVSAvoidworking performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the two separate receiver circuits into a single receiver circuit. The first receiver circuit processes communication signals from the host while the second receiver circuit is eliminated. Instead, the processing circuit repurposes the first receiver circuit to detect and report receiver margins by processing communication signals and determining eye height data based on operating parameters, thereby eliminating the need for duplicate hardware while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing circuit periodically determines operating parameters of the receiver circuit and updates eye height data accordingly. This periodic action allows the system to maintain accurate receiver margin information without continuous complex processing, balancing detection accuracy with working performance by updating margins at appropriate intervals rather than requiring constant dual-circuit operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12498415B2Integrated circuit, testing system, and operating method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 VIA LABS INC

AI summary

An integrated circuit (IC), a testing system, and an operating method are provided. The IC includes a receiver circuit and a processing circuit. The receiver circuit processes a communication signal based on a setting threshold voltage and multiple current operating parameters. The processing circuit obtains at least one current parameter among the current operating parameters. When a host inquires the IC about a receiver margin for the communication signal, the processing circuit obtains eye height data corresponding to the current parameter from a parameter-to-eye height mapping relationship, and returns the receiver margin corresponding to the eye height data to the host. A testing device of the testing system calculates the eye height data based on a setting testing threshold voltage and a target parameter corresponding to a test signal, and generates the parameter-to-eye height mapping relationship based on the target parameter and the eye height data.