Redriver Circuit Power Saving Modes Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed serial communication protocols like USB 3.0 face challenges in signal degradation due to long distances between IC chips and connectors, requiring redrivers to restore signal integrity, while also needing to manage power consumption for mobile devices, which existing solutions do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A redriver circuit that conditions data signals to correct for signal attenuation and noise, and includes a power-saving mechanism that disables current-drawing circuitry in response to enable signals, allowing for reduced power consumption during low-power states like U2 and U3 in USB 3.0 protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redriver circuitry is continuously enabled to maintain signal integrity, then signal quality is preserved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The redriver circuitry transitions between active and disabled states based on communication activity. The circuit is dynamically controlled by enable signals that are asserted during active communication and deasserted during idle periods, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to actual operational needs while maintaining signal integrity when required
Solution Approach 2:
The redriver operates in periodic cycles of activation and deactivation synchronized with communication protocols. Enable signals are periodically asserted during data transmission phases and deasserted during idle or low-power states (such as USB U2/U3 states), creating a rhythmic pattern of operation that balances signal quality with power savings
2Use of energy by moving object
If redriver circuitry is disabled to save power, then power consumption decreases, but signal degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses protocol-aware control logic that monitors communication state and protocol requirements to determine when redriver functionality is needed. This feedback mechanism ensures the redriver remains active during high-speed data transmission to maintain signal integrity while being disabled during idle periods when signal restoration is not required, thus optimizing the balance between power consumption and signal quality
3Adaptability or versatility
If IC chip is placed far from connectors to accommodate multiple ports, then device versatility increases, but signal degradation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The redriver circuit acts as an intermediary component between the remotely placed IC chip and the connectors. It receives degraded signals from the distant IC, conditions and restores them to valid signal levels, and retransmits them to the connectors, thereby enabling the IC to be positioned at optimal locations for multi-port connectivity without compromising signal integrity at the connector interfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
Consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure a redriver circuit is provided for a first and a second serial-unidirectional communications channel. The redriver circuit conditions received data signals by adjusting signal properties to correct for signal level attenuation and noise. The conditioned data signals are transmitted to corresponding outputs of the channels. The redriver circuit disables, in response to a first enable signal being inactive, current drawing circuitry of components for both channels on a common side of the redriver. The redriver circuit disables, in response to a second enable signal being inactive, current drawing circuitry of components for both channels on the other side of the redriver.