Single-signal receiver including active inductor continuous time linear equalizer and reference voltage selection equalizer, and method for operating the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-signal receivers face signal distortion and performance limitations when applying differential structures, as they require amplifiers to convert single signals into differential signals, leading to asymmetrical outputs and increased current consumption.
Innovation Solution
A single-signal receiver incorporating an active inductor continuous time linear equalizer and a reference voltage selection equalizer, which compensates for signal distortion by amplifying high-frequency gains and selecting appropriate reference voltages based on previous outputs, allowing for symmetrical signal processing without the need for differential amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an amplifier is installed to convert single signal to differential signal before continuous time linear equalizer, then the equalizer can process the signal, but signal distortion occurs due to asymmetrical output
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of converting single signal to differential signal before equalization (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using a single-signal continuous time linear equalizer that directly processes the single input signal without differential conversion, thereby eliminating the asymmetrical output problem and signal distortion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of signal representation from differential to single-signal mode in the continuous time linear equalizer, modifying the equalizer's internal structure to accommodate single-signal input and produce symmetrical output directly, thus resolving the distortion issue
2Reliability
If differential decision feedback equalizer is used to remove inter-symbol interference, then ISI can be compensated, but constant current is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the constant current consumption of differential decision feedback equalizer with periodic action by using a single-signal decision feedback equalizer that operates only when data transitions occur, thereby removing ISI while consuming current only periodically rather than constantly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the constant current source component from the equalizer structure, replacing it with a single-signal decision feedback mechanism that consumes current only during necessary operations, thus eliminating unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining ISI removal capability
3Reliability
If differential structure is applied to equalizer for single signal processing, then signal can be processed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the amplifier component from the signal path by designing a single-signal continuous time linear equalizer that can directly process single input signals without requiring prior differential conversion, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining signal processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single-signal continuous time linear equalizer is designed to perform multiple functions including signal equalization, distortion compensation, and symmetrical output generation all in a single structure, eliminating the need for separate amplifier and equalizer components and reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A single-signal receiver including an active inductor continuous time linear equalizer and a reference voltage selection equalizer is provided. The single-signal receiver includes a continuous time linear equalizing unit to receive a single signal, and compensate for distortion of the single signal to generate an output, and a reference voltage selection equalizing unit to select one of a first reference voltage value and a second reference voltage value based on a previous output from a comparator, and sample the output from the continuous time linear equalizing unit, based on the one of the first reference voltage value and the second reference voltage value.