Efficient Calibration of a Low Power Parallel Data Communications Channel

摘要

A calibratable communications link includes multiple parallel lines. Calibration is performed at dynamically variable and/or interruptible intervals determined by an automated mechanism. Calibration is preferably initiated responsive to a command generated by an executable software process, which initiates calibration responsive to detection of a probable impending need as indicated by, e.g., temperature change, calibrated parameter drift, error rate, etc. Calibration is also preferably initiated according to probable minimal disruption of device function, as indicated by low activity level. Furthermore, in one aspect calibration may be temporarily suspended to transmit data and then resumed.

主权项

1. A communications mechanism for communicating between digital data devices, comprising:
a first plurality of parallel lines supporting a parallel communications link for communicating data in a first direction from a first digital data device to a second digital data device; a calibration mechanism for recalibrating said parallel communications link at each of a plurality of discrete times each separated by a respective time interval, the parallel communications link being operable to transmit functional data during at least part of the time intervals separating the plurality of discrete times; and a control mechanism coupled to said calibration mechanism which determines the discrete times at which said calibration mechanism recalibrates said parallel communications link, said discrete times being determined responsive to at least one current state parameter indicating a current need for recalibration, said at least one current state parameter being other than a predetermined schedule.