Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the scrambling of control symbols. In one embodiment, the control symbols are associated with an HDMI interface, and the methods and apparatus are configured to scramble the symbols to as to mitigate the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) created by the transmission of otherwise unscrambled sequences of symbols which may contain significant “clock pattern” or other undesirable artifact.

Abstract: Video data and auxiliary data may be sent between a processor and a display device via a single cable using a link aggregator. As such, the link aggregator may receive a first parallel signal that may include the video data and a second parallel signal that may include auxiliary data from the processor. The link aggregator may then send the first parallel signal and the second parallel signal as an aggregated signal to the display device. Upon receiving the aggregated signal at the display device, the link aggregator may de-aggregate the aggregated signal into the first parallel signal and the second parallel signal. The link aggregator may then send the first parallel signal and the second parallel signal to a timing controller of the display device, such that the timing controller may display the video data using the display device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scrambling symbols over multi-lane serial interfaces in order to improve undesired electromagnetic emissions. In one embodiment the scrambling is based on a seed value associated with each lane. In a second embodiment, the scrambling values are selected from various taps of a scrambling component, where the selection is based on the associated lane. In still a third embodiment, each lane is associated with a distinct scrambling component.

Abstract: Video data and auxiliary data may be sent between a processor and a display device via a single cable using a link aggregator. As such, the link aggregator may receive a first parallel signal that may include the video data and a second parallel signal that may include auxiliary data from the processor. The link aggregator may then send the first parallel signal and the second parallel signal as an aggregated signal to the display device. Upon receiving the aggregated signal at the display device, the link aggregator may de-aggregate the aggregated signal into the first parallel signal and the second parallel signal. The link aggregator may then send the first parallel signal and the second parallel signal to a timing controller of the display device, such that the timing controller may display the video data using the display device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating received error rates. In one embodiment, the estimation of received error rates is conducted in relation to a bus interface such as a high-speed High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface, and the method utilizes corrupted symbols that violate TMDS symbol rules, the corrupted symbols being easily detected and counted. In one exemplary implementation, a symbol error rate (SER) can be estimated from the number of detected invalid symbols. The SER can be used to diagnose the performance of the HDMI interface, and optionally as a basis for selecting or implementing corrective action(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the intelligent association of control symbols with special symbols that are transmitted over a network. In one embodiment, the association is utilized to improve DC-balance on a transmission medium. In an exemplary variant, the special symbols originate from line codes such as the 8B/10B line code, which format a digital signal so that is optimized for transmission over a given physical channel. These control symbols are divided up according to a first criterion, while the special symbols are further divided up according to a second criterion. The divided control symbols are then allocated to the divided special symbols using a pre-designated allocation algorithm, which may or may not include a scrambling algorithm. The allocation of the control symbols improves signal characteristics and electromagnetic interference (EMI) when various ones of control symbols are ultimately transmitted over a given transmission medium.

Abstract: Methods, structures, and apparatus that limit the amount of dendritic growth and metal migration between contacts in order to prevent an erroneous detection of a connection and/or functional failure. One example may reduce dendritic growth and metal migration by limiting an amount of time that a connection detection voltage is applied to CC contacts of a USB Type-C connector when an electronic device is detecting a connection. This and other examples may further limit dendritic growth by not applying the connection detection voltage to the CC contacts for a first duration following a detection of a disconnection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the selection and/or configuration of scrambling operations to accommodate e.g., both scrambling and non-scrambling connections (such as to e.g., legacy type devices). In one embodiment, media interface devices (such as e.g., HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)) devices may provide enhanced scrambling capabilities; solutions disclosed herein provide, among other things, support for both enhanced scrambling capable devices and legacy devices, and enable a device to determine the scrambling capabilities of a connected device.

Abstract: A display system includes a host device that provides source data to a display. The source data includes one or more data-centric blocks free from a fixed-frame size imposition, fixed-frame rate imposition, or both from the display. Further, the source data includes presentation data. The display system includes a display that receives the source data, decodes the source data to discern a presentation time, a presentation positioning, or both for the presentation data. Further, the display presents the presentation data according to the presentation time, the presentation positioning, or both.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the flexible provision of control data within large data structures. In one exemplary embodiment, DisplayPort is modified from its existing 8B/10B line coding to 128B/130B (or 128B/132B). In one embodiment, the 128B/130B (or 128B/132B) block includes: sixteen (16) eight (8) bit command or data symbols and a two (2) bit (or four (4) bit) synchronization header. The synchronization header may provide a fixed reference to the next command symbol (for example, the symbol immediately following the synchronization header). In one variant, each command symbol is split into a first and a second portion, where the first portion identifies a control function (control symbol), and the second portion provides a reference to the next command symbol.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for training, initializing, and managing a unidirectional, sink-driven A/V interface of a consumer electronics device. Since camera sensors do not have significant processing capability, the disclosed embodiments couple the camera sensors to a simplified source node as a camera assembly. In the described embodiments, an intelligent receiver (e.g., a master “sink” node) trains, initializes, and manages one or more relatively low complexity camera sensor modules. Various other refinements and simplifications include: (i) where link training is managed by the receiver of the link, not by the transmitter, and (ii) where training multiple links in the network is managed by a single receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting data across a high-speed serial bus includes an IEEE 802.3-compliant PHY having a GMII interface; an IEEE 1394-compliant PHY in communication with the IEEE 802.3-compliant PHY via a switch; the switch determining whether data transmission is to be routed to the IEEE 802.3-compliant PHY or the IEEE 1394-compliant PHY; a first connection, the first connection for transmitting data between a device and the IEEE 802.3-compliant PHY; and a second connection, the second connection for transmitting data between a device and the IEEE 1394-compliant PHY.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the selection and/or configuration of scrambling operations to accommodate e.g., both scrambling and non-scrambling connections (such as to e.g., legacy type devices). In one embodiment, media interface devices (such as e.g., HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)) devices may provide enhanced scrambling capabilities; solutions disclosed herein provide, among other things, support for both enhanced scrambling capable devices and legacy devices, and enable a device to determine the scrambling capabilities of a connected device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating received error rates. In one embodiment, the estimation of received error rates is conducted in relation to a bus interface such as a high-speed High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface, and the method utilizes corrupted symbols that violate TMDS symbol rules, the corrupted symbols being easily detected and counted. In one exemplary implementation, a symbol error rate (SER) can be estimated from the number of detected invalid symbols. The SER can be used to diagnose the performance of the HDMI interface, and optionally as a basis for selecting or implementing corrective action(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scrambling symbols over multi-lane serial interfaces in order to improve undesired electromagnetic emissions. In one embodiment the scrambling is based on a seed value associated with each lane. In a second embodiment, the scrambling values are selected from various taps of a scrambling component, where the selection is based on the associated lane. In still a third embodiment, each lane is associated with a distinct scrambling component.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for training, initializing, and managing a unidirectional, sink-driven A/V interface of a consumer electronics device. Since camera sensors do not have significant processing capability, the disclosed embodiments couple the camera sensors to a simplified source node as a camera assembly. In the described embodiments, an intelligent receiver (e.g., a master “sink” node) trains, initializes, and manages one or more relatively low complexity camera sensor modules. Various other refinements and simplifications include: (i) where link training is managed by the receiver of the link, not by the transmitter, and (ii) where training multiple links in the network is managed by a single receiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for calibration of interface operation of a display device. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an embedded DisplayPort (eDP) source element (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU)) configures itself to support the minimum requirements necessary to support a sink element (such as a screen display). Unlike prior art solutions, minimum sink requirements are identified during a calibration process, and the source is configured accordingly. By tailoring the source to the specific requirements of the sink, the device can initialize faster, consume less power, etc. Moreover, in another aspect of the present invention, if a device does not initialize to an expected configuration based on prior calibration settings, the device can be flagged as having faulty or failing components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus intelligently switching between line coding schemes based on context. In one exemplary embodiment, an High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) system is configured to transmit control and video data according to an 8B/10B line coding protocol, and data island data according to TERC4 (TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) Error Reduction Coding 4-bit). Various elements of the disclosed HDMI devices are configured to determine when a context switch occurs, and thereafter seamlessly transition between the appropriate line code protocol.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating received error rates. In one embodiment, the estimation of received error rates is conducted in relation to a bus interface such as a high-speed High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface, and the method utilizes corrupted symbols that violate TMDS symbol rules, the corrupted symbols being easily detected and counted. In one exemplary implementation, a symbol error rate (SER) can be estimated from the number of detected invalid symbols. The SER can be used to diagnose the performance of the HDMI interface, and optionally as a basis for selecting or implementing corrective action(s).

Abstract: A data communications system is disclosed having at least one Legacy cloud coupled to at least one Beta cloud. The system further having at least one BOSS node and at least one border node. A method for ensuring compatibility is disclosed comprising determining when the BOSS node is idle, determining whether the last packet transmitted by any border node was an Alpha format packet if the BOSS node is idle, and unlocking the Legacy cloud if the last packet transmitted by the border node was not an Alpha format packet.