Transition-Based Voltage Emphasis in Multi-Level Transmission Drivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face limitations in improving communication performance at high-speed interfaces, particularly in managing data transmission with multiple devices in electronic apparatuses, where existing techniques do not effectively utilize voltage states to enhance signal transmission and reception.

Innovation Solution

A transmission device and method that utilize three or more voltage states and set emphasis voltages based on transitions among these states to improve communication performance by optimizing signal transmission through a driver section and control section, enabling de-emphasis operations to enhance waveform quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-emphasis is performed to improve communication performance, then signal transmission quality is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the emphasis voltage level based on the transition type among multiple voltage states. Instead of using a fixed pre-emphasis level, the system changes the voltage parameter adaptively - using higher emphasis voltage for certain transitions and lower or zero emphasis for others - thereby improving communication performance while reducing overall power consumption compared to conventional constant pre-emphasis methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the emphasis voltage dynamic rather than static. The control section determines the emphasis voltage in real-time based on the current and previous voltage states of the data signal. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize communication performance for each transition while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during transitions that don't require strong emphasis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple voltage states are used to increase data transmission capacity, then communication efficiency is improved, but signal transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidsignal transmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the voltage signal into multiple discrete voltage states (e.g., three or more levels) rather than using a simple binary system. This segmentation of the voltage range allows the transmission of more data per signal unit, increasing transmission capacity. The control section processes each voltage state transition separately, managing the complexity through systematic state classification and transition detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If emphasis voltage is increased to improve waveform quality, then communication reliability is improved, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaveform qualityVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the emphasis voltage parameter according to the specific transition requirements. The control section analyzes the transition among multiple voltage states and selects appropriate emphasis voltage levels - using higher voltages only when necessary for waveform quality and reducing or eliminating emphasis when transitions are less demanding, thereby minimizing energy loss while maintaining communication reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3422649B1Transmission device, transmission method, and communication system
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3422649B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3422649B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3422649B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A transmission device according to the disclosure includes a driver section that is able to transmit a data signal by using three or more predetermined number of voltage states and set voltages in each of the voltage states; and a control section that sets an emphasis voltage that is based on a transition among the predetermined number of the voltage states, and thereby causes the driver section to perform emphasis.