Single-Line Pulse Encoding for Low-Power Serial Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data transfer methods between devices consume increasing power as communication protocols support larger bandwidths, leading to inefficiencies in power management and data transmission.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where a transmitter encodes parallel multi-bit data into serial pulses and transmits them on a single data line, with a receiver decoding the pulses to recreate the original data, and using power management to deactivate data lines during idle periods, along with voltage headroom to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If parallel multi-bit data is transmitted using multiple data lines to achieve high bandwidth, then data transfer speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments parallel multi-bit data into multiple individual bits and transmits them sequentially over a single data line using pulse encoding, rather than transmitting all bits simultaneously over multiple lines. This segmentation approach maintains data transfer capability while reducing power consumption by using only one active data line.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pulse encoding where each bit of data is represented by a pulse transmitted at regular intervals over the single data line. This periodic transmission method enables efficient use of the single data line while maintaining the throughput needed for high-speed data transfer.
2Loss of time
If data lines remain active during idle periods to maintain readiness for data transmission, then response time is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the data line transitions between active and inactive states based on whether data transmission is occurring. The system activates the data line only when data needs to be transmitted and deactivates it during idle periods, optimizing the balance between response time and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses buffering to store data in advance before transmission is needed. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare data for transmission without keeping the data line continuously active, enabling quick response when data needs to be sent while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
3Reliability
If full voltage swing between ground and power supply levels is used for data transmission, then signal integrity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different voltage characteristics to different parts of the signal transmission. By using pulse encoding with controlled voltage levels rather than full voltage swings, the system maintains sufficient signal integrity for reliable detection while reducing the energy consumed during voltage transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for efficiently transferring data between devices. In various embodiments, a host computing device receives parallel data, encodes the parallel data as a count of pulses as serial data, and conveys the serial data to a peripheral device. The peripheral device decodes the received serial data to determine the parallel data, which is sent to processing logic. The devices send the encoded pluses on a bidirectional line, so the pulses are capable of being sent in both directions. The devices send the encoded pulses on the bidirectional line using a non-zero base voltage level. The devices are capable of using a voltage headroom when conveying encoded pulses between one another. Therefore, a full voltage swing between a ground reference voltage level and a power supply voltage level is not used when conveying the encoded pulses, which reduces power consumption.