Techniques For Determining Timestamp Inaccuracies In A Transceiver

A data transmission system comprising:

• a transceiver circuit that comprises stage circuits, wherein each of the stage circuits in the transceiver circuit performs at least one function according to a data transmission protocol, wherein each of the stage circuits in the transceiver circuit generates a timestamp in response to receiving a packet comprising a test pattern;
• a memory circuit that stores the timestamps generated by the stage circuits;
• and
• a post processor circuit that receives the timestamps from the memory circuit, wherein the post processor circuit analyzes the timestamps to determine which of the stage circuit are generating inaccuracies in the timestamps, and wherein the post processor circuit calculates values for the inaccuracies identified in the timestamps.

A method for determining inaccuracies in timestamps generated according to a data transmission protocol, the method comprising:

• receiving packets comprising test patterns at a transceiver circuit, wherein the transceiver circuit comprises stage circuits, and wherein each of the stage circuits in the transceiver circuit performs at least one function according to the data transmission protocol;
• generating a timestamp at each of the stage circuits in the transceiver circuit upon receipt of each of the packets;
• generating a trigger at each of the stage circuits in the transceiver circuit that indicates when each of the packets is received at a respective one of the stage circuits;
• and
• storing each of the timestamps generated by the stage circuits in a memory circuit in response to the trigger generated by the respective one of the stage circuits.