Abstract:
Methods and circuits are presented for providing equalization, including decision feedback equalization (DFE), to high data-rate signals. Half-rate delay-chain circuitry produces delayed samples of an input signal using two or more delay-chain circuits operating at a fraction of the input signal data-rate. Two delay-chain circuits operating at one-half the input signal data-rate may be used. More generally, n delay-chain circuits operating at 1/n the input signal data-rate may be used. Multiplexer circuitry combines the outputs of the delay-chain circuits to produce an output signal including samples of the input signal at the input signal data-rate. Duplicate path DFE circuitry includes two paths used to provide DFE equalization while reducing the load of the DFE circuitry on the circuitry that precedes it. A first path produces delayed samples of a DFE signal, while a second path produces the DFE output signal from the delayed samples.
Abstract:
High-speed serial interface or transceiver circuitry on a programmable logic device integrated circuit (“PLD”) includes features that permit the PLD to satisfy a wide range of possible user needs or applications. This range includes both high-performance applications and applications in which reduced power consumption by the PLD is important. In the latter case, any one or more of various features can be used to help reduce power consumption.
Abstract:
In high speed receiver circuitry (e.g., on a programmable logic device (PLD) or the like), decision feedback equalization (DFE) circuitry is used to at least partly cancel unwanted offset (e.g., from other elements of the receiver). The data input to the receiver is tristated; and then each DFE tap coefficient is varied in turn to find coefficient values that are associated with transitions between oscillation and non-oscillation of the receiver output signal. The coefficient values found in this way are used to select trial values. If the output signal of the receiver does not oscillate when these trial values are used, the process is repeated starting from these (or subsequent) trial values until a final set of trial values does allow oscillation of the receiver output signal.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for varying the bandwidth of a loop filter in a loop circuit (e.g., a phase-locked loop circuit). The loop filter can include first and second resistor circuitries coupled to a capacitor. One of the resistor circuitries can be coupled to an output of the loop circuit in response to selection of a mode of operation. The resistor circuitries can each include a plurality of resistors that can be selectively coupled in series to the capacitor or bypassed. In addition, the output of the loop circuit can be coupled to a second capacitor. Either or both of the capacitors can be programmable.
Abstract:
High-speed serial interface or transceiver circuitry on a programmable logic device integrated circuit (“PLD”) includes features that permit the PLD to satisfy a wide range of possible user needs or applications. This range includes both high-performance applications and applications in which reduced power consumption by the PLD is important. In the latter case, any one or more of various features can be used to help reduce power consumption.
Abstract:
Circuitry for distributing signals such as reference clock signals among blocks of transceiver circuitry on an integrated circuit such as a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) employs bidirectional buffers rather than unidirectional buffers. This allows all buffers to have the same construction regardless of physical location, which facilitates construction of the circuitry using identical or substantially identical modules. The same approach may be used for distributing other types of signals among the transceiver blocks. For example, this approach may be used for distributing calibration control signals.
Abstract:
Circuitry for distributing clock signals (e.g., reference clock signals) among a plurality of blocks of circuitry. Each block may include reference clock source circuitry and reference clock utilization circuitry. Each block also preferably includes an identical or substantially identical module of clock signal distribution circuitry that can (1) accept a signal from the source circuitry in that block, (2) apply any of several clock signals to the utilization circuitry in that block, and (3) connect to the similar module(s) of one or more adjacent blocks.
Abstract:
An equalizer circuitry that includes both inductor based and non-inductor based equalizer stages is provided. In one implementation, the equalizer circuitry includes a first equalizer circuitry including a first inductor based equalizer stage and a first non-inductor based equalizer stage coupled to the first inductor based equalizer stage. In one implementation, the equalizer circuitry further includes a second equalizer circuitry including a plurality of inductor based equalizer stages, where the plurality of inductor based equalizer stages includes the first inductor based equalizer stage. In one implementation, the first equalizer circuitry further includes a second inductor based equalizer stage coupled to the first inductor based equalizer stage and the first non-inductor based equalize stage.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for serial loopback testing in an integrated circuit (IC) are provided. To implement loopback testing, an equalizer stage of a receiver of the IC is powered down. In addition, the common-mode voltage of the equalizer stage is reduced and/or a bulk node of the equalizer stage is connected to ground. Doing so may reduce the impact of capacitive coupling from the input pins of buffer, thereby improving the quality of the loopback output signal.