Abstract: A data communication system includes a transmitter, a channel, and a receiver includes a Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) phase detector that is configured to: calculate an overall pulse response of the data communication system; obtain a function value for each of a plurality of phases, the plurality of phases corresponding to a resolution per symbol; set a crossing phase to be a phase at which this value is minimum among the plurality of phase; and set the CDR locking phase to be the crossing phase plus a midpoint from among the plurality of phases.

Abstract: In a method for transmitting video for a display panel between a transmitter in electronic communication with a receiver over a wireless communication channel, the method includes: receiving, by a transmitter, a data signal from a data source; receiving, by the transmitter, a return signal from a receiver; selecting, by the transmitter based on at least one of channel quality, video quality, codec requirements, or data rate requirements, a profile from among a plurality of profiles each comprising one or more parameters for transmitting the data signal to the receiver, the plurality of profiles comprising one or more profiles corresponding to transmission of uncompressed video data and one or more profiles corresponding to transmission of compressed video data; and transmitting, by the transmitter, the data signal to the receiver according to the selected profile for display on the display panel.

Abstract: A method for designing a PLL or CDR circuit, either of which may contain a loop with a voltage controlled oscillator or other frequency controlled source. For each of a set of values of a gain parameter and a first capacitor of the loop filter of this loop, an analytic solution is employed to find a value for a resistor and a second capacitor of the loop filter. Values of the resistor and second capacitor that meet a design criterion are selected from among the calculated values.

Abstract: In a method for transmitting video for a display panel between a transmitter in electronic communication with a receiver over a wireless communication channel, the method includes: receiving, by a transmitter, a frame of video data from a data source; reorganizing, by the transmitter, the frame of video data into a plurality of packets according to levels of importance of bits of the frame of video data; generating, by the transmitter, a tag for each of the packets, the tags corresponding to different relatively levels of importance of the packets; performing, by the transmitter, different protection techniques for each of the packets based on the tag corresponding to each of the packets; and transmitting, by the transmitter, the packets and the tags to the receiver for display on the display panel such that each packet is transmitted according to the different protection techniques based on their corresponding tagging.

Abstract: In a method for transmitting video for a display panel between a transmitter in electronic communication with a receiver over a wireless communication channel, the method includes: receiving, by a transmitter, a data signal from a data source; receiving, by the transmitter, a return signal from a receiver; selecting, by the transmitter based on at least one of channel quality, video quality, codec requirements, or data rate requirements, a profile from among a plurality of profiles each comprising one or more parameters for transmitting the data signal to the receiver, the plurality of profiles comprising one or more profiles corresponding to transmission of uncompressed video data and one or more profiles corresponding to transmission of compressed video data; and transmitting, by the transmitter, the data signal to the receiver according to the selected profile for display on the display panel.

Abstract: A transmitter is configured to: receive a frame of video data from a data source; group bits corresponding to the frame of video data into a plurality of groups each corresponding to a plurality of levels of importance; reorganize the groups in order of importance to generate a reorganized frame of data with a group corresponding to a plurality of packet headers having a highest level of importance and arranged to be first among the groups; insert a value indicating a length of data bits corresponding to each packet header before each packet header; and transmit the bits corresponding to the frame of video data to the receiver for display on the display panel such that each group from among the plurality of groups is transmitted according to different protection techniques based on their corresponding levels of importance.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting video. Each frame of video is divided into a number of regions, that are transmitted in order beginning with a region of most importance. The region of most importance may be different from one frame to the next. When the video is transmitted over a channel with limited channel capacity, so that some frames are not transmitted completely, the region of most importance in a current frame may be selected to be the first region not transmitted in the previous frame. The system and method may be useful for the transmission of video data over a wireless link having variable or limited channel capacity.

Abstract: A method for estimating performance of a serial communication channel using processing circuits. The channel is configured to transmit a binary input stream from a transmitting end to an output stream at a receiving end. The method includes modeling by the processing circuits the channel at the receiving end as a first finite impulse response (FIR) system. The modeling includes estimating a cursor pulse response of the first FIR system by analyzing the output stream received at the receiving end, and estimating one or more pre-cursor or post-cursor pulse responses of the first FIR system from the received output stream using the estimated cursor pulse response. The method further includes determining by the processing circuits a performance metric by using the estimated one or more pre-cursor or post-cursor pulse responses.

Abstract: A method for estimating performance of a serial communication channel using processing circuits. The channel is configured to transmit a binary input stream from a transmitting end to an output stream at a receiving end. The method includes modeling by the processing circuits the channel at the receiving end as a first finite impulse response (FIR) system. The modeling includes estimating a cursor pulse response of the first FIR system by analyzing the output stream received at the receiving end, and estimating one or more pre-cursor or post-cursor pulse responses of the first FIR system from the received output stream using the estimated cursor pulse response. The method further includes determining by the processing circuits a performance metric by using the estimated one or more pre-cursor or post-cursor pulse responses.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop. The phase-locked loop includes a voltage-controlled oscillator having: a control input, and a clock output; and a phase frequency detector having: a reference clock input, a feedback clock input, an up output configured to be either in a set state or a reset state, and a down output configured to be either in a set state or a reset state. The up output and the down output are connected to the control input. The clock output is connected to the feedback clock input. The phase frequency detector includes an adjustable delay block configured to delay, by an adjustable delay time: a transition of the up output from the set state to the reset state, and a transition of the down output from the set state to the reset state.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop. The phase-locked loop includes a voltage-controlled oscillator having: a control input, and a clock output; and a phase frequency detector having: a reference clock input, a feedback clock input, an up output configured to be either in a set state or a reset state, and a down output configured to be either in a set state or a reset state. The up output and the down output are connected to the control input. The clock output is connected to the feedback clock input. The phase frequency detector includes an adjustable delay block configured to delay, by an adjustable delay time: a transition of the up output from the set state to the reset state, and a transition of the down output from the set state to the reset state.

Abstract: An encoder includes: an input configured to receive a plurality of data bits; a processor configured to encode the data bits utilizing a Hamming encoding operation to generate a plurality of coded bits; and an output configured to output the plurality of coded bits, wherein the processor is configured to reduce a maximum run length of the plurality of coded bits in comparison to coded bits corresponding to standard Hamming code.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a channel between a transmitter and a receiver (e.g., in a high-speed link) is presented. The method comprises: determining an overall intersymbol interference (ISI) probability density function (PDF) from eye monitor data obtained for a current equalizer setting, extracting a channel ISI PDF for the current equalizer setting from the overall ISI PDF, and generating an overall ISI PDF for a different equalizer setting by using the channel ISI PDF for the current equalizer setting and an impulse response at the different equalizer setting. Based on this characterization, an optimal equalizer setting may be selected among a plurality of equalizer settings on the basis of the channel ISI PDF and the equalizer response functions.

Abstract: A method for designing a PLL or CDR circuit, either of which may contain a loop with a voltage controlled oscillator or other frequency controlled source. For each of a set of values of a gain parameter and a first capacitor of the loop filter of this loop, an analytic solution is employed to find a value for a resistor and a second capacitor of the loop filter. Values of the resistor and second capacitor that meet a design criterion are selected from among the calculated values.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a channel between a transmitter and a receiver (e.g., in a high-speed link) is presented. The method comprises: determining an overall intersymbol interference (ISI) probability density function (PDF) from eye monitor data obtained for a current equalizer setting, extracting a channel ISI PDF for the current equalizer setting from the overall ISI PDF, and generating an overall ISI PDF for a different equalizer setting by using the channel ISI PDF for the current equalizer setting and an impulse response at the different equalizer setting. Based on this characterization, an optimal equalizer setting may be selected among a plurality of equalizer settings on the basis of the channel ISI PDF and the equalizer response functions.

Abstract: A method to transport forward error correction (FEC) codes in a symbol encoded transmission stream includes encoding a data stream from a data source into data symbols using computing circuits, generating first FEC codes from the data symbols using the computing circuits, encoding the first FEC codes into first FEC symbols using the computing circuits, merging the data symbols and the first FEC symbols into the transmission stream using the computing circuits, and transmitting the merged transmission stream to a sink device using the computing circuits. The encoding of the data stream into the data symbols and the encoding of the first FEC codes into the first FEC symbols may include the same encoding technique.

Abstract: An encoder includes: an input configured to receive a plurality of data bits; a processor configured to encode the data bits utilizing a Hamming encoding operation to generate a plurality of coded bits; and an output configured to output the plurality of coded bits, wherein the processor is configured to reduce a maximum run length of the plurality of coded bits in comparison to coded bits corresponding to standard Hamming code.

Abstract: Double-ended line probing (DELP) techniques are described herein that enable a loop configuration to be identified based on mathematically simple error functions, which are both time-efficient and less sensitive to measurement errors. A DELP algorithm uses readily available data about the channel that is generated prior to the modem operation (e.g., theoretical loop models) and other available data (e.g., that provided by loop diagnostic modules) to estimate the loop configuration including the line length and gauge, as well as the number of bridge taps and their gauges, lengths, and locations.

Abstract: Double-ended line probing (DELP) techniques are described herein that enable a loop configuration to be identified based on mathematically simple error functions, which are both time-efficient and less sensitive to measurement errors. A DELP algorithm uses readily available data about the channel that is generated prior to the modem operation (e.g., theoretical loop models) and other available data (e.g., that provided by loop diagnostic modules) to estimate the loop configuration including the line length and gauge, as well as the number of bridge taps and their gauges, lengths, and locations.

Abstract: SELP techniques that provide an accurate estimate of the length of a transmission medium (e.g., subscriber loop in a DSL system) are disclosed. A probe signal is transmitted over the transmission medium at one or more frequencies. A reflected version of the probe signal is then received. Transmission medium impedance is determined based on the ratio of the reflected version of the probe signal and the transmitted probe signal. An estimate of transmission medium length is determined by comparing its impedance to a plurality of predetermined impedances, each of which is associated with a transmission medium having known length. Thus, the length of the systems transmission medium is identified. The transmission medium impedance can also be used to identify the presence of load coils and short circuits in the transmission medium.