Adjacent Signal Line Delay Compensation for Jitter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices with closely adjacent signal lines, variations in propagation velocities cause jitter in digital signals, leading to timing issues and potential data errors as devices operate at higher speeds.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that identifies signal transitions to determine delay values for each signal line, using delay circuits to ensure consistent propagation time and reduce jitter by adjusting signal timing based on whether signals transition in the same or opposite directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If signals are coupled through closely adjacent microstrip conductors to increase integration density, then device compactness is improved, but signal jitter increases due to variations in propagation velocities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the propagation time of signals through the adjacent microstrip conductors before the actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary measurement allows the system to determine the actual propagation time difference between the two conductors, which is then used to pre-adjust the delay values stored in lookup tables. When data transmission occurs, the pre-calculated delay values are immediately applied to compensate for the propagation time difference, ensuring accurate timing without adding real-time computational overhead. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the compensation mechanism in advance, maintaining both compactness and timing accuracy.
2Productivity
If operating speeds are increased to improve productivity, then data transmission rate is improved, but timing errors increase due to signal jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the delay values based on the actual propagation time measurements. The system measures the propagation time at different operating conditions and stores multiple sets of delay values corresponding to different propagation time ranges. When the operating speed changes, the system selects the appropriate delay values from the lookup tables that match the current propagation time characteristics. This allows the system to maintain accurate timing compensation across a wide range of operating speeds, resolving the contradiction between high productivity and timing accuracy.
3Reliability
If delay circuits are added to compensate for propagation time differences, then timing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by using lookup tables that store pre-calculated delay values instead of implementing complex real-time calculation circuits. The system measures the propagation time difference once, stores the resulting delay values in lookup tables, and then uses these stored values for all subsequent data transmissions. This approach copies the compensation information into a simple, fast-access format that requires minimal additional circuitry. The lookup tables can be implemented as simple memory structures, avoiding the need for complex real-time measurement and calculation circuits during data transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between timing accuracy and device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach substantially reduces jitter, allowing electronic devices to operate at higher speeds without data errors by ensuring signals arrive at the receiver at the same time, even when signal lines are closely adjacent.
Implementation Method 1
the velocity at which signals propagate through the signal lines 70, 72 is proportional to the reciprocal of the square root of the dielectric constant of the signal lines 70, 72
Implementation Method 2
signals are coupled through parallel signal lines that are positioned closely adjacent each other
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for coupling digital signals from a first location to a second location through respective signal lines includes a mode detector that detects each of the transitions of the digital signals. The mode detector determines respective propagation times of the signals through the signal lines based on the relative transitions of the signals. The mode detector then applies delay values to delay circuits that couple the signals to the signal lines with respective delays corresponding to the delay values. The delay values may be determined by coupling a predetermined pattern of test signals through the signal lines and determining which delay values allow the signals to be most accurately captured at the second location.