Method and apparatus for determining a loss of signal condition
AssigneeSilicon Laboratories Inc.
InventorsPhilip David Steiner, Michael H. Perrott, Vadim Gutnik
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A loss-of-signal (LOS) condition is detected by sampling input data for a predetermined time period, comparing a magnitude of the sampled input data to a threshold signal strength level, and asserting a LOS indication if the number of samples that have signal strength less than the threshold signal strength level is less than a predetermined value.
Claims43
A method comprising:
- comparing signal strength of a plurality of data bits of an input data stream to a signal strength threshold level and generating an indication thereof;
- determining a count value according to the indication;
- and
- generating a loss-of-signal indication according to the count value,
- wherein the count value is a number of data bits having a signal strength above the signal strength threshold level.
A method comprising:
- comparing signal strength of a plurality of data bits of an input data stream to a signal strength threshold level and generating an indication thereof;
- determining a count value according to the indication;
- and
- generating a loss-of-signal indication according to the count value,
- wherein generating the loss-of-signal indication comprises comparing the count value to a threshold count,
- wherein the threshold count varies according to an indication of the signal strength threshold level.
A method for determining existence of a loss-of-signal condition, the method comprising:
- determining for a plurality of data bits of an input data stream whether a signal strength of each of the data bits is above or below a signal threshold level;
- and
- determining that the loss-of-signal condition exists if a predetermined number of the data bits have a signal strength below the signal threshold level.
A method comprising:
- sampling input data;
- comparing a magnitude of the sampled input data to a threshold signal strength level;
- and
- asserting a loss-of-signal indication if a number of samples, over a predetermined time period, having a signal strength less than the threshold signal strength level, is more than a predetermined value.
An integrated circuit comprising:
- a sample circuit coupled to sample input data and store a first value when signal strength magnitude of the sampled input data is above a signal strength threshold level and store a second value when the signal strength magnitude of the sampled input data is below the signal strength threshold level;
- and
- a counter circuit coupled to generate a count value according to an output of the sample circuit;
- wherein the count value is a number of input data samples having a signal strength magnitude above the signal strength threshold level.
The integrated circuit as recited in 30 further comprising:
- a decimator circuit coupled to the sample circuit, an output of the decimator circuit coupled as a count control signal for the counter circuit.
An apparatus detecting a loss-of-signal (LOS) condition comprising:
- means for determining for a plurality of data bits of an input data stream whether a signal strength magnitude of each of the data bits is above or below a signal threshold level;
- and
- means for determining that the loss-of-signal condition exists if a predetermined number of the data bits have a signal strength magnitude below the signal threshold level.
An apparatus comprising:
- means for sampling an input data stream;
- means for comparing signal strength magnitude of the sampled input data stream to a threshold signal strength level;
- and
- means for asserting a loss-of-signal indication if a number of samples having signal strength less than the threshold signal strength level is less than a predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.