Serial Link Receiver Offset Correction via Signal Distribution Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional serial link receiver circuits face issues due to offset errors, which affect the accurate interpretation of incoming signals, necessitating a method to determine and correct for these errors.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for tuning a serial link by receiving an offset correction pattern, sampling it based on an offset correction parameter, computing its distribution, and adjusting the parameter to ensure accurate signal interpretation, involving a receiver circuit and an offset correction unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If offset correction is implemented in receiver circuits, then signal interpretation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal interpretation accuracyVSAvoidreceiver circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting an offset correction pattern before normal data transmission. The receiver circuit uses this pre-transmitted pattern to determine offset errors and calculate correction values in advance, so that when actual data is received, the correction is already applied. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the correction mechanism beforehand, improving accuracy without requiring complex real-time correction circuitry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver circuit performs self-correction by autonomously determining its own offset errors using the transmitted correction pattern. The circuit calculates correction values based on comparing the received pattern against expected values, and applies these corrections to subsequent signal interpretations. This self-service approach improves measurement precision while avoiding the need for external calibration equipment or overly complex circuitry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If offset correction patterns are transmitted over serial link, then receiver accuracy is improved, but loss of time occurs during tuning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiver accuracyVSAvoidtuning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by transmitting offset correction patterns at regular intervals or at the beginning of communication sessions. Rather than continuous tuning, the system periodically refreshes the offset correction data, allowing the receiver to maintain accuracy while minimizing the time spent on correction activities. This resolves the contradiction by making the time-consuming correction process periodic rather than continuous.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The offset correction pattern is transmitted preliminarily before actual data communication begins. By completing the correction tuning phase beforehand, the system establishes accurate reception parameters in advance, allowing subsequent data transmission to proceed without interruption for correction. This preliminary action concentrates the time loss into a brief initial phase rather than ongoing delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If distribution computation is performed on sampled signal, then offset correction accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffset correction accuracyVSAvoiddata processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by computing the distribution of only the essential characteristics of the sampled offset correction pattern, rather than performing exhaustive analysis on all signal parameters. The system calculates correction values based on the distribution of key sampled points that are sufficient to determine offset errors accurately. This partial computation approach maintains adequate correction accuracy while reducing the processing burden and preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9100094B2System and method for tuning a serial link
Publication Date: 2015.08.04 NVIDIA CORP
  • US9100094B2 patent drawing
  • US9100094B2 patent drawing
  • US9100094B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method are provided for tuning a serial link. The method includes receiving, by a receiver circuit, an offset correction pattern transmitted over a serial link and sampling the received offset correction pattern based on an offset correction parameter to generate a sampled signal. A distribution of the sampled signal is computed and the offset correction parameter is set based on the distribution. The system includes a receiver circuit that is coupled to the serial link and an offset correction unit that is coupled to the receiver circuit. The receiver circuit is configured to receive the offset correction pattern and sample the received offset correction pattern based on the offset correction parameter to generate the sampled signal. The offset correction unit is configured to compute the distribution of the sampled signal and set the offset correction parameter based on the distribution.