SerDes Data Modulator Using Low-Rate Multiplexing for High-Speed Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current SerDes IP transmitter designs face challenges in achieving high-speed data transmission while minimizing power consumption, often resulting in bandwidth limitations and non-compliance with industry regulations due to the need for high-rate data and clock paths.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a K-input data modulator (KDM) that uses low-rate data and clock multiplexing to generate full-rate signals passively, eliminating the need for active devices at the full rate of output data, thereby reducing power consumption and increasing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-rate data and clock paths are used to achieve high-speed data transmission, then transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases and bandwidth limitations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The data stream is segmented into multiple parallel lower-rate data streams (e.g., dividing a 200Gb/s stream into four 50Gb/s streams). Each stream is processed separately by identical DAC channels operating at lower speeds, which consume less power. The parallel channels are then combined to achieve the overall high transmission rate without requiring any single component to operate at the full high rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single high-rate serial path to a multi-dimensional parallel architecture. By introducing temporal and spatial dimensions through parallel channels that operate simultaneously at lower rates, the system achieves high aggregate throughput while each individual component operates at reduced power-consuming speeds.
2Productivity
If active devices operate at full rate to generate high-speed output signals, then transmission rate is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex task of generating high-rate output signals is segmented across multiple simpler active devices operating in parallel at lower rates. Each DAC channel contains identical circuitry operating at a fraction of the final output rate, reducing the complexity burden on any single active device while collectively achieving the high productivity goal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a single complex active device operating at full rate, the patent uses multiple copies of simpler identical DAC channels. Each channel is a replicated version operating at lower rate, and their combined output achieves the desired high data rate through parallel operation rather than through complexity in a single device.
3Reliability
If traditional DAC designs are used to convert digital data to analog signals, then conversion functionality is achieved, but bandwidth limitations and power consumption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The digital-to-analog conversion function is segmented into multiple parallel conversion channels, each handling a portion of the total data stream at lower rates. This allows each conversion channel to operate within its reliable bandwidth while the aggregate of all channels achieves the higher overall transmission rate required for modern communication standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A data modulator for a transmitter includes a multiplexer configured to receive, at a first rate, a first data stream including a plurality of first symbols and a second data stream including a plurality of second symbols. The multiplexer is configured to selectively output, based on a first clock signal, the plurality of first symbols and the plurality of second symbols to form a third data stream that achieves a second rate greater than the first rate for transmission of the third data stream by the transmitter.