Tunable Current Integrator Peaking for High-Data-Rate Receivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

High data rate receivers face challenges in maintaining optimal signal-to-noise ratio due to increased noise bandwidth and bandwidth variation from process, voltage, and temperature variations, as well as inefficiencies in power and area usage, particularly in implementing decision-feedback equalization functions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of analog signal current integrators with tunable peaking functions, utilizing adjustable circuit elements such as degeneration capacitors or bias current sources, to dynamically adjust the peaking response based on data rate and channel characteristics, thereby compensating for data rate-dependent losses and stabilizing noise bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If non-integrating DFE summer circuits are used, then implementation simplicity is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional non-integrating DFE summer circuits with a sampled current integrator architecture that uses switched-capacitor integration. This substitution achieves both power efficiency through selective sampling and integration operations, and maintains implementation feasibility through standard integrated circuit building blocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If sampled current integration DFE summer circuits are used, then power efficiency is improved, but noise suppression performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidnoise suppression

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic peaking control that adjusts the frequency response of the current integrator based on operating conditions. By dynamically tuning the peaking function, the system optimizes noise suppression at critical frequencies while maintaining power efficiency through selective sampling and integration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency response parameters of the current integrator by adjusting peaking control signals. This allows optimization of noise suppression characteristics without changing the fundamental sampled current integration architecture, thereby maintaining power efficiency while improving noise performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed peaking response is used, then circuit stability is improved, but adaptability to different data rates deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to data rates

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic peaking control that adjusts the frequency response of the current integrator based on operating conditions. By dynamically tuning the peaking function, the system optimizes noise suppression at critical frequencies while maintaining power efficiency through selective sampling and integration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Speed

If bandwidth is increased to handle high data rates, then data rate capability is improved, but noise bandwidth variation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rate capabilityVSAvoidnoise bandwidth variation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8964825B2Analog signal current integrators with tunable peaking function

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 GLOBALFOUNDRIES US INC

AI summary

Analog signal current integrators are provided having tunable peaking functions. Analog signal current integrators with tunable peaking functions enable data rate dependent loss compensation for applications in high data rate receiver integrated circuits incorporating advanced equalization functions, such as decision-feedback equalizers. For instance, a current integrator circuit includes a current integrating amplifier circuit comprising an adjustable circuit element to tune a peaking response of the current integrator circuit, and a peaking control circuit to generate a control signal to adjust a value of the adjustable circuit element as a function of an operating condition of the current integrator circuit. The operating condition may be a specified data rate or a communication channel characteristic or both. The adjustable circuit element may be a degeneration capacitor or a bias current source.