Method and apparatus for deskewing parallel serial data channels using asynchronous elastic buffers
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsSusan Marie Cox, Mark Joseph Hickey, Jack Chris Randolph, Dale John Thomforde, Frederick Jacob Ziegler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of deskewing parallel data streams includes receiving the plurality of data streams and storing each of the received data streams in a respective buffer. Synchronization signals in the data streams are detected, and the buffers are controlled to read out the stored data streams on the basis of the detected synchronization signals. Numerous other methods and apparatus are provided.
Claims23
A method of deskewing parallel data streams, comprising:
- receiving a plurality of data streams;
- storing each of the received data streams in a respective buffer;
- detecting synchronization signals in the data streams;
- and
- controlling the buffers to read out the stored data streams on the basis of the detected synchronization signals.
A method of deskewing parallel data streams, comprising:
- receiving a plurality of data streams;
- storing each of the received data streams in a respective buffer;
- comparing respective timings of the received data streams;
- and
- controlling read pointers of the buffers on the basis of a result of the comparing step.
An apparatus adapted to deskew parallel data streams, comprising:
- a first port adapted to receive a first data stream;
- a second port adapted to receive a second data stream;
- a first buffer coupled to the first port and adapted to store the received first data stream;
- a second buffer coupled to the second port and adapted to store the received second data stream;
- and
- a deskew circuit coupled to the first and second buffers and operative to:
- detect synchronization signals in the first and second data streams;
- and
- control the first and second buffers to read out the stored first and second data streams on the basis of the detected synchronization signals.
An apparatus adapted to deskewing parallel data streams, comprising:
- a first port adapted to receive a first data stream;
- a second port adapted to receive a second data stream;
- a first buffer coupled to the first port and adapted to store the received first data stream;
- a second buffer coupled to the second port and adapted to store the received second data stream;
- and
- a deskew circuit coupled to the first and second buffers and operative to:
- compare respective timings of the received first and second data streams;
- and
- control read pointers of the buffers on the basis of a result of the comparison of the respective timings of the received first and second data streams.
A method of deskewing parallel data streams, comprising:
- providing a pair of buffers, each for storing a respective one of the data streams;
- reading out respective signals from at least one of the pair of buffers;
- determining that one of the signals read out from one of the buffers is a synchronization signal;
- and
- responsive to the determining step, holding a read pointer of the one of the buffers from which the synchronization signal was read out until a synchronization signal is read out from the other one of the buffers.
An apparatus for deskewing parallel data streams, comprising:
- a first port for receiving a first data stream;
- a second port for receiving a second data stream;
- a first buffer coupled to the first port for storing the received first data stream;
- a second buffer coupled to the second port for storing the received second data stream;
- and
- a deskew circuit coupled to the first and second buffers and operative to:
- read out respective signals from at least one of the first and second buffers;
- make a determination that one of the signals read out from one of the buffers is a synchronization signal;
- and
- respond to the determination by holding a read pointer of the one of the buffers from which the synchronization signal was read out until a synchronization signal is read out from the other one of the buffers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.