Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a programmable transmitter which includes a set of drivers and one or more chains of configuration registers. Each driver is capable of being configured to perform a transmission function from a predetermined set of transmission functions. Each configuration register can correspond to a driver, and can store configuration data which is used to configure the corresponding driver. The programmable transmitter can include configuration circuitry which serially shifts configuration data into the one or more chains of configuration registers. The programmable transmitter can also include programming circuitry which can determine configuration data for each driver based partly or solely on a desired transmitter behavior.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs adaptive or adjustable equalization circuitry and techniques in the transmitter and/or receiver to enhance the system performance of, for example, a system using the PAM-4 coding.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs a variable rate back channel, incorporated within an existing communication that does not increase or adversely impact the transmission rate of data on the communication channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs crosstalk management techniques and structures that increase the system performance in channel communications.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs variable delay FIR equalizer in the transmitter module to increase the system performance in channel communications.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a technique of, and circuitry and system for enhancing the performance of data communication systems using receiver based decision feedback equalization circuitry. In one embodiment, the equalization circuitry and technique employs a plurality of data slicers (for example, two) to receive an analog input and output a binary value based on the reference or slicer level. The output of the data slicers is provided to logic circuitry to determine whether the analog input was a binary high or binary low. In those instances where the data slicers “agree” and both indicate either a high or a low, the logic circuitry outputs the corresponding binary value. In those instances where the data slicer do not “agree”—that is, where one data slicer indicates the input to be a binary or logic high value and the other data slicer indicates the input to be a binary or logic low value, in one embodiment, the logic circuitry outputs the complement of the previous binary value.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system and technique that provides for the systematic development or implementation of codes that increase the robustness of systems employing, for example, PAM-n transmission techniques. The system and technique of this aspect of the invention eliminate, minimize, reduce or limit transitions between extreme signaling levels. As a result, the slew rate employed and/or required by the transmitter may reduce crosstalk and intersymbol interference, and provide for wider “eye” openings from the perspective of the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs adaptive or adjustable equalization circuitry and techniques in the transmitter and/or receiver to enhance the system performance of, for example, a system using the PAM-4 coding.

Abstract: A technique is presented for minimizing crosstalk between adjacent differential signal pairs in communications. A backplane embodiment wherein the backplane includes a plurality of differential signal line pairs, is presented. A first differential signal line pair can include a first differential signal line and a second differential signal line. The backplane can have the first differential signal line connected between first and second vias. The second differential signal line can be connected between third and fourth vias. A third signal line can be connected between fifth and sixth vias. The first via can be spatially adjacent to the fifth via such that a signal on the third signal line is coupled to the first differential signal line and the fourth via can be spatially located adjacent to the sixth via such that a signal on the third signal line is coupled to the second differential signal line.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs a variable rate back channel, incorporated within an existing communication that does not increase or adversely impact the transmission rate of data on the communication channel.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a technique of, and a system and sensor for measuring, inspecting, characterizing and/or evaluating the performance of high-speed data communication systems, and components used therein. In one embodiment, the present invention measures, inspects, characterizes and/or evaluates the performance, for example the ER, of such systems and/or components in situ—that is, in the environment and/or in the configuration in which the system and/or components are used during normal or typical operation (for example, when the system and/or component is transmitting and receiving user data). In this way, a more accurate representation of the performance of the system (and components thereof) may be measured, detected, determined and/or obtained.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a technique of, and a system and sensor for measuring, inspecting, characterizing and/or evaluating the performance of high-speed data communication systems, and components used therein. In one embodiment, the present invention measures, inspects, characterizes and/or evaluates the performance, for example the ER, of such systems and/or components in situ—that is, in the environment and/or in the configuration in which the system and/or components are used during normal or typical operation (for example, when the system and/or component is transmitting and receiving user data). In this way, a more accurate representation of the performance of the system (and components thereof) may be measured, detected, determined and/or obtained.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a technique of, and a system and sensor for measuring, inspecting, characterizing and/or evaluating the performance of high-speed data communication systems, and components used therein. In one embodiment, the present invention measures, inspects, characterizes and/or evaluates the performance, for example the ER, of such systems and/or components in situ—that is, in the environment and/or in the configuration in which the system and/or components are used during normal or typical operation (for example, when the system and/or component is transmitting and receiving user data). In this way, a more accurate representation of the performance of the system (and components thereof) may be measured, detected, determined and/or obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs a variable rate back channel, incorporated within an existing communication that does not increase or adversely impact the transmission rate of data on the communication channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs adaptive or adjustable equalization circuitry and techniques in the transmitter and/or receiver to enhance the system performance of, for example, a system using the PAM-4 coding.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs adaptive or adjustable equalization circuitry and techniques in the transmitter and/or receiver to enhance the system performance of, for example, a system using the PAM-4 coding.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs a variable rate back channel, incorporated within an existing communication that does not increase or adversely impact the transmission rate of data on the communication channel.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system and technique that provides for the systematic development or implementation of codes that increase the robustness of systems employing, for example, PAM-n transmission techniques. The system and technique of this aspect of the invention eliminate, minimize, reduce or limit transitions between extreme signaling levels. As a result, the slew rate employed and/or required by the transmitter may reduce crosstalk and intersymbol interference, and provide for wider “eye” openings from the perspective of the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs variable delay FIR equalizer in the transmitter module to increase the system performance in channel communications.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs crosstalk management techniques and structures that increase the system performance in channel communications.