Method and apparatus for evaluating and optimizing a signaling system

摘要

A method and apparatus for evaluating and optimizing a signaling system is described. A pattern of test information is generated in a transmit circuit of the system and is transmitted to a receive circuit. A similar pattern of information is generated in the receive circuit and used as a reference. The receive circuit compares the patterns. Any differences between the patterns are observable. In one embodiment, a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) is implemented to produce patterns. An embodiment of the present disclosure may be practiced with various types of signaling systems, including those with single-ended signals and those with differential signals. An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to systems communicating a single bit of information on a single conductor at a given time and to systems communicating multiple bits of information on a single conductor simultaneously.

主权项

1. An integrated circuit, comprising:
circuitry to generate a repeating pattern signal during a test mode; and circuitry to serially transmit a signal to a receiver, the signal comprising a data signal during a normal mode and the repeating pattern signal during the test mode, where the circuitry is to serially transmit the repeating pattern signal to the receiver during the test mode using alternate values of at least one transmission parameter affecting proper reception of the repeating pattern signal by the receiver; and where the integrated circuit is during the normal mode to apply an operating value for the at least one parameter to transmit the data signal, the operating value selected in dependence on the evaluation of the repeating pattern signal serially transmitted during the test mode as received by the receiver.