Abstract: Equalization circuitry for a data channel in an integrated circuit device includes an analog equalization stage coupled to the data channel, and a digital signal processing stage downstream of the analog equalization stage. The digital signal processing stage generates control signals to control the analog equalization stage, and includes a digital equalization stage that operates on output of the analog equalization stage. The analog equalization stage may further include an enhanced processing stage for optical signals, which may be selectably coupled to the analog equalization stage. The analog equalization stage may include at least one feed-forward or feedback equalization stage, and a decision stage that outputs decision signals at one of a first plurality of signal levels. The enhanced processing stage operates on the decision signals to output enhanced decision signals at one of a second plurality of signal levels of higher resolution than the first plurality of signal levels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a charge pump circuit with a bias section and a switch section. The switch section includes a first switch coupled to an early signal and a second switch coupled to a late signal. The charge pump additionally includes a low-pass filter. The switch section includes a first resistor and a second resistor. The first resistor is directly coupled to the first switch and the low-pass filter. The second resistor is directly coupled to the second switch and the first resistor. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: Equalization circuitry for a data channel in an integrated circuit device includes an analog equalization stage coupled to the data channel, and a digital signal processing stage downstream of the analog equalization stage. The digital signal processing stage generates control signals to control the analog equalization stage, and includes a digital equalization stage that operates on output of the analog equalization stage. The analog equalization stage may further include an enhanced processing stage for optical signals, which may be selectably coupled to the analog equalization stage. The analog equalization stage may include at least one feed-forward or feedback equalization stage, and a decision stage that outputs decision signals at one of a first plurality of signal levels. The enhanced processing stage operates on the decision signals to output enhanced decision signals at one of a second plurality of signal levels of higher resolution than the first plurality of signal levels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a charge pump circuit with a bias section and a switch section. The switch section includes a first switch coupled to an early signal and a second switch coupled to a late signal. The charge pump additionally includes a low-pass filter. The switch section includes a first resistor and a second resistor. The first resistor is directly coupled to the first switch and the low-pass filter. The second resistor is directly coupled to the second switch and the first resistor. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a charge pump, which can be utilized as a part of a clock data recovery device. Early and late signals are used as differential switching voltage signals in the charge pump. The first switch and a second switch are used for controlling the direction of the current flowing into the loop filter. Input differential voltages to the switches are being generated with an opamp negative feedback loop. The output voltage of the first switch and the second switch is used in conjunction with a resistor to generate a charge pump current. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to communication systems and electrical circuits. According to an embodiment, an input termination circuit includes a first attenuation resistor and a second attenuation resistor. The resistance values of these two resistors are adjusted in opposite directions to maintain a stable output impedance. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a variable gain amplifier architecture that includes a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) section and a variable gain amplifier (VGA) section. The CTLE section provides both a pair of equalized data signals and a common mode voltage. A DAC generates a control signal based on a control code. The VGA section amplifies the pair of equalized data signals by an amplification factor using a transistor whose resistance value is based on both the common mode voltage and the control signal. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a variable gain amplifier architecture that includes a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) section and a variable gain amplifier (VGA) section. The CTLE section provides both a pair of equalized data signals and a common mode voltage. A DAC generates a control signal based on a control code. The VGA section amplifies the pair of equalized data signals by an amplification factor using a transistor whose resistance value is based on both the common mode voltage and the control signal. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to communication systems and electrical circuits. According to an embodiment, an input termination circuit includes a first attenuation resistor and a second attenuation resistor. The resistance values of these two resistors are adjusted in opposite directions to maintain a stable output impedance. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a charge pump, which can be utilized as a part of a clock data recovery device. Early and late signals are used as differential switching voltage signals in the charge pump. The first switch and a second switch are used for controlling the direction of the current flowing into the loop filter. Input differential voltages to the switches are being generated with an opamp negative feedback loop. The output voltage of the first switch and the second switch is used in conjunction with a resistor to generate a charge pump current. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for duty cycle correction of clock signals. An input clock signal passes through a pair of output transistors, which provides an output clock signal based on the input clock signal. A duty cycle sensor generates a first correction signal based on the output clock signal. The first correction signal is at least partially opposite of the output clock signal. A duty cycle corrector generates a second correction signal based on the first correction signal. The duty cycle corrector includes two or more transistors for generating the second correction signal. The second correction signal is applied to the output clock signal. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to communication systems and electrical circuits. According to an embodiment, an input termination circuit includes a first attenuation resistor and a second attenuation resistor. The resistance values of these two resistors are adjusted in opposite directions to maintain a stable output impedance. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a variable gain amplifier architecture that includes a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) section and a variable gain amplifier (VGA) section. The CTLE section provides both a pair of equalized data signals and a common mode voltage. A DAC generates a control signal based on a control code. The VGA section amplifies the pair of equalized data signals by an amplification factor using a transistor whose resistance value is based on both the common mode voltage and the control signal. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a charge pump, which can be utilized as a part of a clock data recovery device. Early and late signals are used as differential switching voltage signals in the charge pump. The first switch and a second switch are used for controlling the direction of the current flowing into the loop filter. Input differential voltages to the switches are being generated with an opamp negative feedback loop. The output voltage of the first switch and the second switch is used in conjunction with a resistor to generate a charge pump current. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits. More specifically, embodiments of the presentation provide a CTLE module that includes a two compensation sections. A high-frequency zero RC section is in the source of the differential pair and close to the bias current source. A low-frequency zero section is coupled to an output terminal and configured outside the input signal path. A DC gain tuning section is coupled to the low-frequency zero section. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. According to a specific embodiment, the present invention provides technique for loss of signal detection. A loss-of-signal detection (LOSD) device determines an analog signal indicating signal strength by subtracting a threshold offset voltage from an incoming signal. The analog signal is then processed by a switch network of an output stage circuit, which provides a digital output of loss of signal indication at a low frequency (relative to the incoming signal frequency). There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention provides a technique for detecting loss of signal. An incoming data stream is sampled and a recovered clock signal is generated accordingly. An output clock signal of a higher frequency than the recovered clock signal is generated by a transmission PLL. The frequency of the recovered clock signal is compared to a divided frequency of the output clock signal. If a difference between the recovered clock signal and the output clock signal is greater than a threshold, a loss of signal indication is provided. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for duty cycle correction of clock signals. An input clock signal passes through a pair of output transistors, which provides an output clock signal based on the input clock signal. A duty cycle sensor generates a first correction signal based on the output clock signal. The first correction signal is at least partially opposite of the output clock signal. A duty cycle corrector generates a second correction signal based on the first correction signal. The duty cycle corrector includes two or more transistors for generating the second correction signal. The second correction signal is applied to the output clock signal. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention provides a line driver with transistors directly coupled to the ground, and a bias voltage is coupled common mode resistors of the line driver. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a differential amplifier that has a differential amplifier section, a current source, and a feedback section. The differential amplifier section comprises NMOS transistors that receives two voltage inputs and generate a differential output. The current source provides a long tail for the differential amplifier section. The feedback section generates a feedback voltage based on a reference bias voltage. The feedback voltage is used by an amplifier to control the current source and to keep the biasing and gain of the differential amplifier substantially constant. There are other embodiments as well.