Continuous Receiver Sampler Voltage Offset Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed data communication systems face accuracy issues due to sampler voltage offset variations caused by manufacturing tolerances and dynamic changes in the operating environment, such as temperature and supply voltage fluctuations, which cannot be dynamically calibrated during receiver operation, leading to errors in signal recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for continuous calibration of receiver sampler voltage offset, where two samplers are used to establish boundary voltage offset values by adjusting the voltage offset until error rates meet specific thresholds, allowing for real-time adjustment of the sampler voltage offset without disconnecting the receiver, thereby maintaining accurate signal recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional calibration method is used during start-up phase, then sampler offset can be calibrated, but receiver must be disconnected from circuit and offset cannot be modified during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic offset calibration by enabling the calibration process to occur during receiver operation rather than requiring disconnection. The calibration module continuously adjusts the sampler offset in real-time based on measured error rates, transforming the static calibration process into a dynamic one that adapts to changing operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous calibration capability throughout the receiver's operation. The calibration module operates continuously or periodically to keep the sampler offset accurate under varying conditions such as temperature changes and supply voltage fluctuations, ensuring uninterrupted useful action during both calibration and normal operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If calibrated offset is determined from initial calibration, then system operates with fixed offset, but cannot dynamically respond to offset variation during receiver operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the calibration module measures the error rate between sampler outputs and uses this information to adjust the offset. The measured error rate feeds back to the calibration module, which then adjusts the sampler offset to minimize errors, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accuracy under dynamic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the sampler offset parameter in response to varying operating conditions. The calibration module adjusts the offset value based on measured error rates and environmental factors such as temperature and supply voltage, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions rather than relying on a fixed calibrated offset.
3Productivity
If sampler offset is not calibrated during operation, then receiver remains connected and operational, but temperature variation causes significant error in signal recovery resulting in failed transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous calibration action during receiver operation. The calibration module operates continuously or periodically to maintain accurate sampling despite temperature variations, ensuring that the useful action of data recovery continues uninterrupted while simultaneously correcting for environmental drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from error rate measurements to correct transmission errors caused by temperature-induced offset drift. The calibration module continuously monitors the error rate and adjusts the sampler offset accordingly, providing feedback control that prevents transmission failures before they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for calibrating voltage offset of receiver data samplers in mission mode are described. The operating conditions, including the sampling threshold, of a first sampler are matched with those of a second sampler by adjusting the voltage offset of the second sampler. The voltage offset of the first sampler is adjusted in a first voltage direction until an error rate between the two samplers meets a threshold error value at a first threshold voltage offset value. The voltage offset of the first sampler is further adjusted in a second voltage direction, opposite of the first voltage direction, until the error rate between the two samplers meets the threshold error value at a second threshold voltage offset value. The voltage offset of the first sampler is adjusted to be an average value between the first threshold voltage offset value and the second threshold voltage offset value.