Signal Integrity Enhancement via Channel-Specific Filter Transfer Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face signal integrity issues due to varying loss profiles across different signal transmission channels, which can degrade and attenuate data signals, and existing techniques like transmitter pre-emphasis can negatively affect signal integrity when applied to channels with different loss characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that identify a preferred loss profile for signal transmission channels and generate filter transfer functions to produce filtered signals with approximately equal loss profiles, using either digital or analog filters to equalize signal loss across channels, thereby enhancing signal integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmitter pre-emphasis is used to compensate for channel loss, then signal strength at receiver is improved, but signal integrity deteriorates due to varying loss profiles across channels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidchannel loss profile variation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by generating unique filter transfer functions tailored to each specific transmission channel's loss profile. Each channel receives a customized filter configuration that matches its characteristics, rather than applying a uniform pre-emphasis setting across all channels. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the signal processing to local channel conditions, improving signal integrity for each channel individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the filter parameters (transfer function coefficients) based on the measured loss profile of each channel. By dynamically adjusting the filter parameters to match channel characteristics, the system compensates for varying loss profiles without compromising signal integrity. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining signal integrity and handling channel variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If uniform pre-emphasis is applied across all channels, then implementation complexity is reduced, but signal quality deteriorates due to mismatched loss compensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter configuration simplicityVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of each channel's loss profile before signal transmission and pre-generates the appropriate filter transfer functions. This preliminary characterization allows the system to have compensation strategies ready for each channel, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments during operation. The upfront work simplifies the actual transmission process while maintaining high signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-characterization by measuring its own channel loss profiles and automatically generating the appropriate filter configurations without external intervention. This self-service capability allows the system to adapt to each channel's characteristics autonomously, achieving high signal quality without requiring complex manual configuration or external calibration equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If channel-specific filter transfer functions are generated, then signal integrity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidfilter generation and management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal filter generation mechanism that can handle multiple channels with different characteristics using a single system architecture. The same filter generation logic and measurement procedures are applied across all channels, making the system multi-functional rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each channel. This universality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining channel-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from channel loss profile measurements to automatically adjust and generate appropriate filter transfer functions for each channel. This closed-loop approach allows the system to adapt to channel variations without requiring complex manual configuration. The feedback mechanism automates the complexity, making the system manageable while achieving high signal integrity through channel-specific filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9178626B2System and method of enhancing signal integrity

Publication Date: 2015.11.03 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A signal processing method is disclosed. The method includes identifying a preferred loss profile for a plurality of signal transmission channels and generating a filter transfer function corresponding to each of the plurality of signal transmission channels, where each filter transfer function is configured to produce a filtered signal with a loss profile approximately equal to the preferred loss profile. The method further includes generating a plurality of filtered signals by filtering a plurality of signals using the filter transfer function corresponding to each of the plurality of signal transmission channels. and transmitting the plurality of filtered signals to a plurality of receivers via the plurality of signal transmission channels.