Multi-Level Signal Encoding with DBI Masking for Eye Margin
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-level signaling systems, maximum transitions and insufficient eye margins lead to increased power consumption and crosstalk, limiting communication bandwidth and reliability in data transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing method and semiconductor device that masks digital codes using a constraint vector to minimize maximum transitions, employing Data Bus Inversion (DBI) bits to select optimal masks and ensure secure eye margins, thereby reducing latency and crosstalk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-level signal transmission technique is used to increase communication bandwidth, then communication bandwidth is improved, but maximum transitions occur leading to increased power consumption and crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the mask selection based on transition detection. The system monitors signal transitions and changes the masking parameters (DBI bits) accordingly to minimize maximum transitions between consecutive codes, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining multi-level signaling bandwidth capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by making the mask selection adaptive rather than static. The encoder dynamically selects masks based on real-time detection of transitions in the previous code, allowing the system to optimize power consumption on-the-fly while maintaining the high bandwidth benefits of multi-level signaling
2Productivity
If multi-level signal transmission technique is used to increase communication bandwidth, then communication bandwidth is improved, but crosstalk increases due to maximum transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of mask selection based on transition detection. By detecting transitions in the previous code and adjusting the DBI mask bits accordingly, the system minimizes maximum transitions in the current code, thereby reducing crosstalk while preserving communication bandwidth
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback by using the previous code and its transition characteristics to inform the mask selection for the current code. This feedback mechanism allows the encoder to anticipate and prevent maximum transitions that would cause crosstalk, maintaining signal integrity in multi-level signaling
3Reliability
If eye margin is secured to improve reliability, then reliability is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and preparing multiple candidate masks before transmission. The receiver has these masks ready in advance, allowing for rapid selection and application without requiring complex real-time processing, thus securing eye margin while minimizing latency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using a predetermined set of masks that are sufficient to secure eye margin without requiring exhaustive search or processing. The system uses just enough masking capability (DBI bits) to achieve the required eye margin while avoiding excessive processing that would increase latency
Data Source
AI summary
A signal processing method of a semiconductor device, the method including: receiving a first digital code of a first digital signal; generating a constraint vector; masking the first digital code with a transmitting mask based on the constraint vector; and outputting the masked first digital code and a Data Bus Inversion (DBI) bit of the mask.