Serial Interface Delay Adjustment for Link Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-antenna wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining timing alignment between signal paths due to different signal path delays, which can lead to network quality degradation and performance issues during link failures, especially when conventional solutions require baseband modem re-alignment across the entire path.
Innovation Solution
A single chip digital front end processor performs independent delay adjustments at serial interface links with frame clock resolution, providing a power-efficient solution for network start-up and link failure recovery by keeping serial interfaces active through idle transmission modes, thereby isolating network communication from local link failures and allowing data re-alignment without requiring modem re-alignment across the entire path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If baseband modem performs data re-alignment for the entire path during link failure, then timing alignment between transmission paths is restored, but network quality degrades and base station performance is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the re-alignment function from the baseband modem to the serial interface level. Each serial interface independently performs re-alignment of its own data path using local delay elements, rather than requiring centralized baseband modem intervention. This segmentation allows localized recovery without disrupting overall network performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by maintaining standby delay element configurations that can be quickly activated during link failures. The system pre-configures multiple delay paths and can switch between them rapidly, enabling fast recovery without requiring complex real-time calculations from the baseband modem.
2Reliability
If serial interface link failure occurs, then data transmission is interrupted, but requiring baseband modem re-alignment degrades network quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into independent serial interface modules, each capable of autonomous failure detection and recovery. When a link failure occurs, only the affected serial interface enters recovery mode while other interfaces continue normal operation, isolating the impact and maintaining overall base station performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Each serial interface is equipped with self-service capabilities including automatic failure detection, local re-alignment using delay elements, and autonomous recovery procedures. This eliminates the need for baseband modem intervention in routine link failures, allowing rapid self-healing without degrading network quality.
3Reliability
If delay adjustments are performed at baseband modem level, then timing alignment is achieved, but power consumption increases and response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the delay adjustment function from the baseband modem to the serial interface level, creating distributed timing control. Each serial interface independently adjusts its own delay using local delay elements, enabling immediate response to timing mismatches without waiting for baseband modem processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures multiple delay element settings that can be rapidly switched based on detected timing conditions. This preliminary preparation of delay configurations allows the serial interface to immediately correct timing alignment issues without requiring complex real-time calculations from the baseband modem.
4Reliability
If multiple RF transmission paths are used to achieve diversity benefits, then signal throughput and reliability are improved, but signal path delay differences require complex delay adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns independent delay adjustment capabilities to each serial interface serving different RF transmission paths. Each interface independently measures and corrects its own path delay using local delay elements, eliminating the need for complex centralized delay coordination across multiple paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Each serial interface autonomously performs delay measurement and adjustment for its associated RF path. The interfaces self-calibrate their timing by monitoring signal arrival times and automatically adjusting their local delay elements, reducing the overall system complexity while supporting multiple diverse transmission paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus automatically maintains a JESD204 serial data link (252) as active by using an idle signal (254) and multiplexer selection circuit (247) to selectively switch signal data samples (246) and dummy samples (0, . . . 0) onto a serial interface input to a JESD module (248) for serialization into a plurality of symbols for transmission over the JESD204 serial data link (252) in response to a transmit clock signal (253) so that serialized symbols generated from signal data samples are transmitted when there are signal data samples available, and serialized symbols generated from dummy samples are transmitted when there are no signal data samples available.