Serial Link Channel Alignment via Synchronization Headers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional serial data transmission protocols require significant resources and power for initialization and alignment, particularly in high-speed serial communication links between integrated circuit devices, due to the need for control word decoding and parallel byte boundary alignment.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a circuit and method that generates synchronization headers to enable channel alignment in serial communication links, eliminating the need for control word decoding and using synchronization headers (SH bits) for word boundary alignment and channel verification, thereby reducing resource and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional control word decoding is used during initialization, then parallel byte boundary alignment and channel alignment can be achieved, but significant resources and power are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel alignmentVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the control word decoding stage from the initialization protocol. Instead of decoding control words to determine byte boundaries and channel alignment, the system directly uses synchronization headers (SH bits) embedded in the data stream to achieve alignment, removing the resource-intensive decoding operation entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not decoding control words to find synchronization information, but instead embedding synchronization headers directly in the data stream and using those headers to drive alignment. The system works backwards from the problem by placing the alignment information directly where it is needed, rather than extracting it through decoding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If control word decoding is performed during initialization, then byte boundary alignment can be established, but circuit area and resource utilization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebyte boundary alignmentVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the control word decoding functionality from the circuit architecture. By embedding synchronization headers directly in the transmitted data stream and using those headers for boundary detection, the system eliminates the need for complex decoding circuits that would increase device area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses synchronization headers that are embedded copies of alignment information within the data stream itself. These SH bits serve as direct copies of the boundary information that would otherwise require decoding, allowing receivers to align without complex decoding logic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If conventional initialization protocols are used, then link initialization status and errors can be communicated, but initialization time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink initialization status communicationVSAvoidinitialization time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by embedding synchronization headers and alignment information directly in the initial data stream before full communication begins. The SH bits are prepared and transmitted in advance within the data blocks, allowing the receiver to immediately establish alignment without waiting for separate decoding and interpretation of control words

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by integrating synchronization information directly into the data transmission stream. Rather than pausing for separate initialization handshaking and control word exchange, the system continuously transmits data with embedded alignment information, allowing parallel processing and reducing initialization delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10417171B1Circuits for and methods of enabling the communication of serialized data in a communication link associated with a communication network

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 XILINX INC

AI summary

A circuit for enabling the communication of data in a communication link associated with a data communication network is described. The circuit comprises a data generation circuit configured to receive a plurality of data streams and generate an output data stream; a control signal generator configured to generate synchronization headers; a serializer circuit configured to receive the output data stream from the data generation circuit and the synchronization headers from the control signal generator, wherein the serializer circuit generates, at an output, an output data signal having data of the output data stream and the synchronization headers; and a control circuit configured to control the data generation circuit and the control signal generator, wherein the control circuit enables a selection of the synchronization headers of the output data signal to enable channel alignment of the communication link.