Abstract: Methods, integrated circuits and computer-readable media for communicating back-channel data over a data link by modulating the phase or frequency of a clock signal of a data signal transmitted over the data link. Slow modulation of the clock signal allows it to be detected and extracted by a receiver without affecting the integrity or bit rate of the data signal. Some embodiments allow the functionality to be implemented without the use of extra hardware in the transmitter or receiver or either.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a method for controlling an ADC. The ADC includes a plurality of quantization levels for analog-to-digital conversion. The ADC is adapted for utilizing a subset of the plurality of quantization levels for analog-to-digital signal conversion. The subset is formed by selecting at least one level to be deactivated using a greedy search method and deactivating the at least one level. The method includes using a subset of the plurality of quantization levels for analog-to-digital signal conversion, the subset being formed by selecting at least one level to be deactivated using a greedy search method and deactivating the at least one level.

Abstract: Described herein is a termination circuit for a receiver receiving a single-ended signal. The termination circuit includes the first stage having a low-pass transfer function having a first pole/zero pair, and a second stage coupled to the first stage, where the second stage has a high-pass transfer function having a second pole/zero pair that cancels out the first pole/zero pair.

Abstract: Described herein is a termination circuit for a receiver receiving a single-ended signal. The termination circuit includes the first stage having a low-pass transfer function having a first pole/zero pair, and a second stage coupled to the first stage, where the second stage has a high-pass transfer function having a second pole/zero pair that cancels out the first pole/zero pair.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses featuring a multiplying injection-locked oscillator are described. Some embodiments include a pulse-generator-and-injector and one or more injection-locked oscillators. The outputs of the pulse-generator-and-injector can be injected into corresponding injection points of an injection-locked oscillator. In embodiments that include multiple injection-locked oscillators, the outputs of each injection-locked oscillator can be injected into the corresponding injection points of the next injection-locked oscillator. Some embodiments reduce deterministic jitter by dynamically modifying the loop length of an injection-locked oscillator, and/or by using a duty cycle corrector, and/or by multiplexing/blending the outputs from multiple delay elements of an injection-locked oscillator.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a photodetector for detecting incoming optical data signals and an amplifier for providing signal gain and current to voltage conversion. The detection signal generated by the photodetector may include a distortion component caused by an operating characteristic of the photodetector. A signal compensating circuit may reconstruct the received optical data signal by effectively canceling the distortion component. For this purpose, the signal compensating circuit may include a decision feedback equalizer implemented using at least one feedback filter matched to the operating characteristic of the photodetector causing the signal distortion so as to reproduce the distortion component for cancellation. Use of a control module may also configure the optical receiver in real time to account for other operating and environmental conditions of the optical receiver.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a photodetector for detecting incoming optical data signals and an amplifier for providing signal gain and current to voltage conversion. The detection signal generated by the photodetector may include a distortion component caused by an operating characteristic of the photodetector. A signal compensating circuit may reconstruct the received optical data signal by effectively canceling the distortion component. For this purpose, the signal compensating circuit may include a decision feedback equalizer implemented using at least one feedback filter matched to the operating characteristic of the photodetector causing the signal distortion so as to reproduce the distortion component for cancellation. Use of a control module may also configure the optical receiver in real time to account for other operating and environmental conditions of the optical receiver.