SERDES Transceiver Bypass Channel for Low-Latency Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-gigabit SERDES transceivers experience high latency due to the need for multiple stages of de-serialization to reduce high-speed analog serial data rates for digital processing, which becomes a significant issue as data rates increase.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a low latency communication channel as a bypass for the high latency channel, utilizing a demultiplexor and FIFO with programmable depth to buffer and delay parallel signals, and employing a delay-locked loop to phase align transmitter and receiver clocks, thereby reducing the need for extensive de-serialization and serialization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-gigabit SERDES transceiver de-serializes high-speed analog serial data to reduce data rate for digital processing, then digital processing capability is improved, but latency increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication channel into two distinct paths: a high-latency channel that performs full de-serialization for comprehensive digital processing, and a low-latency bypass channel that maintains higher data rates with minimal processing. This segmentation allows the system to select the appropriate path based on whether low latency or complete processing is the priority.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary switching mechanism that directs data packets through either the high-latency processing channel or the low-latency bypass channel. This intermediary allows the system to mediate between the conflicting requirements of complete digital processing and low latency by dynamically selecting the appropriate path for each data transmission.
2Speed
If de-serialization ratio is increased to handle higher data rates, then data rate capability is improved, but latency increases due to more processing stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism that adapts the data processing path based on latency requirements. When low latency is required, the system dynamically routes data through the bypass channel regardless of the de-serialization ratio configured for the main processing channel. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high data rate capability while providing low-latency paths when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal communication infrastructure where the same transceiver can handle both high-latency comprehensive processing modes and low-latency bypass modes. The low-latency channel serves as a multi-functional path that can handle various data rates without requiring the full de-serialization pipeline, making the system versatile in handling different performance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for reducing the latency in a transceiver. A transceiver includes a high latency communication channel and a low latency communication channel that is configured to be a bypass channel for the high latency communication channel. The low latency communication channel may be utilized when implementing the transceiver is used in low latency applications. By bypassing the high latency communication channel, the high latency that is introduced therein (due to the many stages of de-serialization used to reduce the data rate for digital processing) can be avoided. An increase in data rate is realized when the low latency communication channel is used to pass data. A delay-locked loop (DLL) may be used to phase align the transmitter clock of the transceiver with the receiver clock of the transceiver to compensate for a limited tolerance of phase offset between these clocks.