Redriver Equalizer Power Control via Auxiliary Channel Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed signal attenuation is severe when transmitted over long distances, leading to poor signal quality and difficulty in recovering the signal for remote receivers, with existing solutions like retimers being costly.
Innovation Solution
A redriver system with multiple equalizers, an auxiliary channel detector, and a control circuit that dynamically adjusts the equalizers' operation based on auxiliary channel connectivity and toggling events, entering a power-saving disconnection phase when the auxiliary channel is unconnected and activating the equalizers when the channel becomes connected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retimers are used to improve signal quality in high-speed signal transmission systems, then signal quality is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a redriver circuit instead of an expensive retimer. The redriver is a simpler, lower-cost component that can be disposed of or replaced more easily, achieving signal quality improvement without the high cost of retimers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for signal quality improvement (equalization) from the complex retimer device, implementing it through a simpler redriver circuit with equalizer components, thereby reducing cost while maintaining the core benefit.
2Reliability
If equalizers are continuously activated to maintain signal quality, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the equalizer circuit, adjusting its operation state based on real-time signal quality detection. The equalizer is activated only when signal degradation is detected and deactivated when signal quality is sufficient, optimizing the balance between signal quality and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the equalizer circuit based on detected signal conditions. By monitoring signal quality parameters and adjusting equalizer activation accordingly, the system maintains signal quality while minimizing power consumption during periods of good signal transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a redriver and an operation method thereof. The redriver includes an equalizer, an auxiliary channel detector, and a control circuit. The equalizer improves the signal quality of a main channel of a signal transmission system. The auxiliary channel detector detects level toggling of an auxiliary channel of the signal transmission system. When an auxiliary channel detection result indicates that the auxiliary channel is at an unconnected level, the control circuit controls the equalizer to enter a disconnection phase to save power. When the auxiliary channel detection result indicates that the auxiliary channel changes from the unconnected level to a connected level, and a command form toggling event occurs, the control circuit controls the equalizer to enter a connected phase from the disconnection phase. The equalizer is turned on in the connected phase.