Methods and apparatus for automated adaptation of transmitter equalizer tap settings
View Patent ↗One embodiment relates to a method of automated adaptation of a transmitter equalizer. A multi-dimensional search space of tap settings for the transmitter equalizer is divided into multiple single-dimensional search spaces, each single-dimensional search space being associated with a single tap of the transmitter equalizer. The multiple single-dimensional search spaces are searched in series, and a tap for a single-dimensional search space is set before searching a next single-dimensional search space. Another embodiment relates to a transceiver with adaptation circuitry configured to implement the above-described method. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.
1. A method of automated adaptation of a transmitter equalizer, the method comprising:
dividing a multi-dimensional search space of tap settings for the transmitter equalizer into multiple single-dimensional search spaces, each single-dimensional search space being associated with a single tap of the transmitter equalizer;
searching the multiple single-dimensional search spaces in series; and
setting a tap for a single-dimensional search space before searching a next single-dimensional search space,
wherein searching a single-dimensional search space comprises finding a tap value which corresponds to a minimum bit error rate, and
wherein finding the tap value which corresponds to the minimum bit error rate comprises:
decrementing a current tap value to a next lower value;
finding a current bit error count for the current tap value;
comparing the current bit error count for the current tap value with a saved bit error count stored in a register;
replacing the saved bit error count with the current bit error count if the current bit error count is less than the saved bit error count; and
incrementing a boundary count if the current bit error count is equal to the saved bit error count.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein finding the tap value which corresponds to the minimum bit error rate further comprises:
incrementing the current tap value by the boundary count divided by two if the current bit error count is greater than the saved bit error count.
3. A transceiver comprising:
a receiver circuit of the transceiver for receiving a data signal over a channel from a partner transceiver;
adaptation circuitry of the transceiver for determining a bit error rate from a known pattern of data received by the receiver circuit;
handshake circuitry of the transceiver for communicating equalizer tap values for a transmitter equalizer of the partner transceiver; and
a transmitter circuit arranged to communicate the equalizer tap values from the handshake circuitry of the transceiver to the partner transceiver;
wherein the adaptation circuitry is configured to
divide a multi-dimensional search space of equalizer tap values into multiple single-dimensional search spaces, each single-dimensional search space being associated with a single tap;
search a single-dimensional search space by finding a tap value which corresponds to a minimum bit error rate;
search the multiple single-dimensional search spaces in series; and
set a tap for a single-dimensional search space before searching a next single-dimensional search space,
wherein finding the tap value which corresponds to the minimum bit error rate comprises:
decrementing a current tap value to a next lower value;
finding a current bit error count for the current tap value;
comparing the current bit error count for the current tap value with a saved bit error count stored in a register;
replacing the saved bit error count with the current bit error count if the current bit error count is less than the saved bit error count;
incrementing a boundary count if the current bit error count is equal to the saved bit error count; and
incrementing the current tap value by the boundary count divided by two if the current bit error count is greater than the saved bit error count.