Use of multi-level modulation signaling for short reach data communications

摘要

A short reach communication system includes a plurality of communication SERDES that communicate data over a short reach channel medium such as a backplane connection (e.g., PCB trace) between, for example, chips located on a common PCB. A multi-level modulated data signal is generated to transmit/receive data over the short reach channel medium. Multi-level modulated data signals, such as four-level PAM, reduce the data signal rate therefore reducing insertion loss, power, complexity of the circuits and required chip real estate.

主权项

1. A high speed communication system comprising:
a short reach communication channel; a high speed SERDES including a transceiver configured to be operative with the short reach communication channel; the high speed SERDES transmitting or receiving a multi-level(n) pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) data signal over the short reach communication channel through a communications channel medium; a converter to convert from the received multi-level(n) PAM data signal to a two-level non-return-to-zero (NRZ) data signal; and
wherein the multi-level(n) PAM data signal reduces a data signaling rate of the high speed communication system.