Time-Sharing Signal Detection for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods to reduce power consumption in signal detection for high-speed, serial data transmissions compromise the accuracy of signal loss detection at the physical layer, as they often rely on comparing data transmissions with a single reference voltage, leading to issues such as inability to detect logical zeroes and potential hardware problems going undetected.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a time-sharing method between reference voltages, where a first reference voltage is compared with the data transmission during one period and a second reference voltage during another, with a controller disabling comparisons to alternate between them to conserve power while maintaining detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If both positive and negative reference voltage detectors are continuously enabled to maintain accurate signal loss detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between enabling the positive reference voltage detector and the negative reference voltage detector in time-sharing fashion. Instead of continuously enabling both detectors, the system periodically switches between them based on whether the current data period expects a logical one or zero, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy through periodic sampling of both reference voltages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the detector enablement state changeable and adaptive. The system dynamically adjusts which detector is enabled based on the expected data pattern (logical one or zero) in each data period. This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize power consumption in real-time while maintaining the capability to detect signal loss accurately by having both detectors available when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a single reference voltage is used for power savings, then power consumption is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to inability to detect both logical ones and zeroes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing periodic action through time-sharing between the positive and negative reference voltage detectors. The system periodically enables the appropriate detector based on the expected data pattern, ensuring that both logical ones and zeroes can be detected over time while reducing instantaneous power consumption compared to having both detectors continuously enabled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between using the positive reference voltage detector and the negative reference voltage detector based on the data pattern. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain detection accuracy for both logical one and zero by having the correct detector active when its corresponding data type is expected, while consuming less power than continuously operating both detectors.
3Reliability
If both detectors are continuously enabled to detect signal loss, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by implementing periodic action with a systematic alternating pattern between the two detectors. Instead of requiring complex control logic to manage both detectors continuously, the system uses a simpler time-sharing approach where detectors are enabled in an alternating fashion based on data period expectations. This periodic pattern simplifies the control mechanism while maintaining reliability through periodic verification by both detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic switching between detectors based on data period expectations simplifies the control architecture compared to continuously managing both detectors. The system adaptively enables only the necessary detector for each data period, reducing the complexity of detector management while maintaining reliable signal loss detection through the dynamic availability of both detectors when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and media to time-share the signal detection between reference voltages for a data transmission are contemplated. Embodiments include a time-sharing detector that is designed to enable comparison of a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage against the serial data transmission in a specified pattern. In many embodiments, the pattern is pre-defined and, in some embodiments, the pattern includes an overlap period. During the overlap period both the first and the second reference voltages are compared with the data transmission to determine if valid data can be detected. Upon detecting a valid bit based upon one of the reference voltages, an output signal is generated to indicate that the data transmission includes a valid data signal. Advantageously, alternating between the comparisons can reduce power consumption. In many embodiments, the power reduction can be, for example, 50%, depending upon the specified pattern.