Retimer Transmitter Power Switching for Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retimer devices in data communication systems face challenges in controlling power consumption, particularly when operating in low power states due to high leakage currents from submicron transistors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a driver device with a transmitter circuit that switches off its power interface when in a low power state, effectively reducing power consumption below a threshold level (e.g., 1 mW) despite high leakage currents from submicron MOSFET transistors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If submicron transistors are used in the retimer to provide high speed switching, then the data transmission speed is improved, but the leakage current increases causing power consumption to exceed the limit even in low power state
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply to the transmitter circuit is segmented into multiple controllable power interfaces, allowing selective powering of different circuit blocks. This enables the retimer to maintain high-speed transmitters when needed while isolating and powering down unused segments to eliminate leakage current, directly resolving the contradiction between speed capability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The power consumption of the transmitter circuit is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors data transmission activity and dynamically adjusts the power supply state of the transmitter circuit accordingly. When data transmission is active, full power is supplied for high-speed operation; when idle, power is reduced or cut off to minimize leakage, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to actual performance requirements.
2Loss of time
If the transmitter circuit remains powered to maintain readiness for data transmission, then the response time is improved, but the power consumption in low power state exceeds the threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining selective power supply states based on predicted or required operational modes. The power management circuit proactively powers up specific transmitter circuits before data transmission begins and powers them down when transmission completes, rather than keeping all circuits continuously powered. This preliminary action approach reduces idle power consumption while maintaining readiness for required functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different power management strategies are applied to different parts of the transmitter circuit based on their specific functional requirements and activity patterns. Critical high-speed paths maintain power for quick response, while less critical or idle paths are powered down to reduce leakage. This localized quality approach allows the system to optimize the balance between response time and power consumption for each circuit block individually.
Data Source
AI summary
A driver device of a data interface includes an input/output (I/O) interface, a power interface, a transmitter circuit, and a switching unit. The I/O interface is configured to couple to a load device. The power interface is configured to provide a power supply for transmitting data via the I/O interface. The transmitter circuit is coupled to the I/O interface and to the power interface and is configured to be powered by the power supply and provide an output signal to the load device via the I/O interface in a transmitter mode. The switching unit is coupled to the power interface and is configured to switch off the power interface for the transmitter circuit when the transmitter circuit is operating in a low power state. The transmitter circuit has a power consumption level below a threshold power level in the low power state.