Data converter with reduced component count for padded-protocol interface
AssigneeAltera Corporation
InventorsNing Xue, Chong H. Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A data converter, or “gearbox,” for a padded protocol interface uses a reduced number of components by processing a narrower intermediate data stream, while at the same time multiplying the clock speed of its intermediate input and output so that it processes more data per clock cycle. The data streams can be narrowed to any integer factor of the original width (other than the original width).
Claims17
A data converter for accepting input data at a first data width and a first data rate, and outputting padded data at a second data width different from said first data width and at a second data rate, said data converter comprising:
- a first rate converter receiving said input data at said first data rate and outputting said input data at a first intermediate data rate;
- a first number of data register units each of a register width receiving said input data at said first intermediate data rate;
- a second number of data selector units each of a selection width and each connected to a transmission conductor, for routing each bit received at said register units to one of said transmission conductors, said transmission conductors transmitting said padded data at a second intermediate data rate;
- and
- a second rate converter receiving said data at said second intermediate data rate and outputting said padded data at said second data rate;
- wherein:
- said second number is equal to an integer factor of said second data width other than said second data width.
A data conversion method for accepting input data at a first data width and a first data rate, and outputting padded data at a second data width wider than said first data width and at a second data rate, said method comprising:
- receiving said input data at said first data rate and said first data width, and outputting said input data as first intermediate data at a first intermediate data rate and a first intermediate data width;
- selecting data bits from said first intermediate data and routing each selected bit to one of a plurality of transmission conductors as intermediate padded data at a second intermediate rate, said plurality of transmission conductors defining a second intermediate data width;
- and
- receiving said intermediate padded data at said second intermediate rate and said second intermediate data width, and outputting said padded data at said second data rate and said second data width;
- wherein:
- said second intermediate data width is equal to an integer factor of said second data width other than said second data width.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.