SERDES Equalizer Calibration Using Waveform-Based Link Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data communication systems, particularly serializer/deserializer (SERDES) devices, are inadequate for high-data applications due to limitations in sense amplifiers and conventional equalizer performance evaluation methods, which are costly and lack detailed information on channel losses and random noise errors.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that receive data through a communication link, equalize it using adjustable parameters, sample the output to generate waveforms, and evaluate these waveforms against a known data segment to determine optimal equalizer settings, allowing for efficient evaluation of equalizer performance and random noise error detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional equalizer performance evaluation methods are used, then equalizer calibration can be performed, but the process is costly and lacks detailed information on channel losses and random noise errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified model system comprising a transmitter, channel emulator, and receiver that replicates real-world communication conditions. This model allows equalizer performance evaluation without requiring complex expensive measurement equipment, providing detailed waveform information while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional expensive eye scan measurement systems with a computational waveform analysis approach. By capturing equalizer output waveforms and analyzing them through processing, the system substitutes physical measurement complexity with computational analysis, achieving higher precision at lower cost
2Productivity
If sense amplifiers are used in SERDES devices, then data reception is enabled, but they are inadequate for high-data applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic equalization by allowing equalizer parameters to be adjusted and optimized based on captured waveforms. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain reliable performance across varying data rates and channel conditions, overcoming the static limitations of conventional sense amplifiers in high-data applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where equalizer output waveforms are captured, analyzed, and used to optimize equalizer parameters. This closed-loop feedback system enables continuous performance optimization, allowing SERDES devices to reliably handle high-data applications by adapting to channel variations
3Loss of information
If equalizer output is captured as waveforms, then detailed information on channel losses and noise errors is obtained, but the sampling and evaluation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waveform analysis process into distinct functional modules: waveform capture, parameter extraction, and performance evaluation. This segmentation allows detailed information extraction while managing complexity through modular processing, where each module handles a specific aspect of the analysis independently
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to data communication. In a specific embodiment, a known data segment is received through a data communication link. The received data is equalized by an equalizer using an adjustable equalization parameter. The output of the equalizer is sampled, and a waveform is obtained by sweeping one or more sampler parameters. The waveform is evaluated by comparing it to the known data segment. Based on the quality of the waveform, equalizer parameter is determined. There are other embodiments as well.