Spread spectrum clock converter

A converter that comprises:

• a deserializer to receive a data stream with an unmodulated clock;
• a memory coupled to the deserializer to buffer the data stream;
• a serializer coupled to the memory to retransmit the data stream with a spread spectrum clock;
• a phase locked loop that supplies a clock signal to the serializer, the clock signal being frequency modulated in accordance with a modulation signal;
• a second deserializer to receive a second data stream with a spread spectrum clock;
• a second memory coupled to the second deserializer to buffer the second data stream;
• and
• a second serializer coupled to the memory to retransmit the data stream with an unmodulated clock.

A conversion method that comprises, in a monolithic integrated circuit:

• receiving a data stream from an external transmitter in an unmodulated clock domain;
• storing the data stream in a buffer;
• retransmitting the data stream using a spread spectrum clock;
• receiving a second data stream with spread spectrum clocking;
• storing the second data stream in a second buffer;
• and
• retransmitting the second data stream with an unmodulated clock.

A system that comprises:

• a test module to generate test data streams and to analyze result data streams for verifying operation of one or more devices under test in a spread spectrum clock domain, the test module operating in an unmodulated clock domain;
• and
• a converter coupled to the test module to retime the test data streams with a spread spectrum clock and to retime the result data streams with an unmodulated clock, the converter comprising:
• a receiver to receive a data stream with an unmodulated clock;
• a memory coupled to the receiver to buffer the data stream;
• a transmitter coupled to the memory to retransmit the data stream using a spread spectrum clock;
• a second receiver to receive a second data stream with a spread spectrum clock;
• a second memory coupled to the second receiver to buffer the second data stream;
• and
• a second transmitter coupled to the memory to retransmit the data stream with an unmodulated clock.