Strobe Signal Equalizer Control for Lower ISI Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed signal transmission paths, intersymbol interference (ISI) affects strobe signals during the initial period of data transmission, leading to unnecessary power consumption in equalizers as they boost high-frequency components throughout the entire transmission period, even after the ISI effect diminishes.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor integrated circuit with a reception circuit for strobe signals that extracts low-frequency components and outputs a first signal, using a comparison circuit to adjust the boost amount of high-frequency components based on signal level thresholds, reducing power consumption by lowering the boost only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the equalizer boosts the high frequency component of the strobe signal over the entire data transmission period, then the intersymbol interference is suppressed, but the power consumption of the equalizer becomes greater than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The equalizer dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on the data transmission state. During the initial period when ISI occurs, the equalizer operates in a first mode to suppress ISI. After the initial period when ISI diminishes, the equalizer switches to a second mode with reduced or stopped high-frequency boosting, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining signal quality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The equalizer applies high-frequency boosting only during the initial period of data transmission when ISI is present, rather than continuously. This periodic action pattern matches the actual ISI characteristics, suppressing interference when it occurs and reducing power consumption when it does not.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the equalizer operates continuously to maintain signal quality, then the strobe signal remains stable, but unnecessary power is consumed after ISI effect subsides
Solution Approach 1:
The equalizer transitions between different operational states based on transmission timing. In the first mode during initial transmission, it provides full equalization for stability. In the second mode after the initial period, it reduces or stops equalization operation, maintaining adequate signal stability while eliminating energy waste from continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The equalizer changes its operational parameters (boost amount, gain) based on the transmission phase. During the initial period, parameters are set for maximum equalization performance. After the initial period, parameters are adjusted to reduce boosting levels, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient signal stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor integrated circuit has a reception circuit configured to receive a strobe signal of which a logic is intermittently switched in synchronization with a data signal, an output circuit configured to extract a low frequency component including at least a DC component of the strobe signal received by the reception circuit and to output a first signal, and a comparison circuit configured to compare a signal level of the first signal with a threshold level. The reception circuit is configured to change a boost amount of a high frequency component different from the low frequency component of the strobe signal based on a comparison result obtained by the comparison circuit.