SerDes Loopback Switch Fabric for Low Latency Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional signal processing apparatuses face significant signal latency in low latency operation modes due to the necessity of serial and parallel data conversions through serializer/deserializer circuits, which cannot be reduced without increasing complexity.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a high-speed serial switch fabric that directly switches and replicates serial signals between ports, utilizing internal loopback signal paths as low latency functional paths, bypassing the need for serial and parallel conversions in certain scenarios, thereby minimizing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If serializer/deserializer circuits are used for signal conversion between serial and parallel domains, then data processing capability is improved, but signal latency increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal conversion function from the main signal path by using dedicated loopback paths that bypass the serializer/deserializer circuits. The loopback paths allow signals to be redirected internally without undergoing serial-parallel conversion, effectively removing the latency-introducing conversion step from the critical low-latency path while preserving data processing capabilities in normal operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces loopback paths as intermediary channels that mediate between the reception port and transmission port. These intermediary paths provide an alternative route for signals that requires no conversion, thus reducing latency. The switch fabric acts as a mediator that can route signals through either the conventional SerDes path or the direct loopback path depending on the operational requirements.
2Loss of time
If internal loopback signal paths are used for low latency operation, then signal latency is reduced, but signal monitoring capability may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the incoming signal that can be routed through the loopback path for low-latency transmission. The original signal path through the serializer/deserializer circuits remains intact and can be used for monitoring and processing. This copying approach allows the system to maintain full monitoring capability while simultaneously providing a low-latency path for time-critical signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the loopback paths and switch fabric to serve multiple functions: they provide low-latency signal transmission when activated, while the same infrastructure allows monitoring signals to be tapped and routed to processing logic. The switch fabric can dynamically route signals for different purposes (low-latency forwarding, monitoring, processing) making the system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated paths for each function.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) comprising high speed ports (2) connected via an integrated high speed serial switch fabric (22) and serializer/deserializer circuits to an internal processing logic (6), wherein said high speed serial switch fabric is adapted to switch a serial reception signal received by a high speed port to at least one other high speed port of said apparatus and/or to the serializer/deserializer circuit of the receiving high speed port.