Real-time channel calibration method and arrangement

A parallel data communication arrangement including circuitry for calibrating data, comprising:

• a parallel arrangement of M paths for passing concurrently N bits of data in parallel from a first node to a second node, and including an additional calibration path for calibrating the data passed in parallel from the first node to the second node, where M is greater than N;
• M data drivers respectively coupled to the M paths at the first node;
• M data receivers respectively coupled to the M paths at the second node;
• a calibration circuit adapted to compare a sequence of data over a selected one of the M paths relative to a matched sequence of data being passed for one of the N bits of data, the calibration circuit also being adapted to adjust a transmission time in response to the comparison.

A parallel data communication arrangement including circuitry for calibrating data, comprising:

• a parallel arrangement of data paths for passing data in parallel between at least two nodes and an additional calibration path for data calibration;
• calibration mode circuitry adapted to compare a sequence of data over the calibration path relative to a matched sequence of data being passed on one of the multiple data paths, the calibration mode circuitry also being adapted to adjust a transmission time for the calibration path in response to the comparison;
• and
• control circuitry coupled to the calibration mode circuitry and the parallel arrangement of data paths, the control circuitry being adapted to alternatively rotate assignments for each of the parallel arrangement of data paths and the additional calibration path, wherein during each of the assignments, calibration data is passed on a selected one of the parallel arrangement of data paths and the additional calibration path.

A parallel data communication arrangement having a parallel arrangement of data paths for passing data in parallel between at least two nodes, comprising:

• a calibration path for data calibration;
• means for comparing a sequence of data over the calibration path relative to a matched sequence of data being passed on one of the multiple paths;
• and
• means, responsive to the comparison, for adjusting the transmission time for the calibration path.

A method of parallel data communication for a circuit arrangement including a parallel arrangement of data paths for passing data in parallel between at least two nodes, comprising:

• providing a calibration path for data calibration;
• comparing a sequence of data over the calibration path relative to a matched sequence of data being passed on one of the multiple paths;
• and
• adjusting the transmission time for the calibration path in response to the comparison.