METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A MULTI-LEVEL ENCODED DATA PATH WITH DECODER
Methods and systems for a multi-level encoded data path with decoder are disclosed and may include, in a receiver on a chip: receiving a multi-level encoded signal, generating a plurality of copy signals offset from the multi-level encoded signal by a configurable offset voltage, comparing each copy signal against a different threshold level, and generating binary data based on the comparison. At least one of the plurality of copy signals may be compared using a clock data recovery module and/or using a retimer, which may comprise at least one D flip-flop. The multi-level encoded signal may comprise a pulse amplitude modulated-4 (PAM-4) signal. The multi-level encoded signal may be received from a photodiode on the chip. An optical signal may be communicated to the photodiode from a grating coupler on the chip.
1 . A method for communication, the method comprising:
in a receiver on a chip:
receiving a multi-level encoded signal;
generating a plurality of copy signals offset from the multi-level encoded signal by a configurable offset voltage;
comparing each copy signal against a different threshold level; and
generating binary data based on the comparing of each copy signal.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising comparing at least one of the plurality of copy signals using a clock data recovery module.
3 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising comparing at least one of the plurality of copy signals using a retimer.
4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the retimer comprises at least one D flip-flop.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the multi-level encoded signal comprises a pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) signal.
6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the PAM signal comprises a PAM-4 signal.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising receiving the multi-level encoded signal from a photodiode on the chip.
8 . The method according to claim 8 , comprising communicating an optical signal to the photodiode from a grating coupler on the chip.
9 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising generating offset voltages for said plurality of copy signals using a level shifter comprising parallel transistor/resistor current mirror branches.
10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor die comprises a silicon complementary-metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) photonics die.
11 . A system for communication, the system comprising:
a receiver on a chip, the receiver being operable to:
receive a multi-level encoded signal;
generate a plurality of copy signals offset from the multi-level encoded signal by a configurable offset voltage;
compare each copy signal against a different threshold level; and
generate binary data based on the comparing of each copy signal.
12 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the receiver is operable to compare at least one of the plurality of copy signals using a clock data recovery module.
13 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the receiver is operable to compare at least one of the plurality of copy signals using a retimer.
14 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein the retimer comprises at least one D flip-flop.
15 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the multi-level encoded signal comprises a pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) signal.
16 . The system according to claim 15 , wherein the PAM signal comprises a PAM-4 signal.
17 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the receiver is operable to receive the multi-level encoded signal from a photodiode on the chip.
18 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the receiver is operable to communicate an optical signal to the photodiode from a grating coupler on the chip.
19 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the receiver is operable to generate offset voltages for said plurality of copy signals using a level shifter comprising parallel transistor/resistor current mirror branches.
20 . A system for communication, the system comprising:
a receiver on a chip, the receiver being operable to:
receive a pulse amplitude modulated-4 (PAM-4) encoded signal;
generate two copy signals offset from the multi-level encoded signal by a configurable offset voltage;
compare each copy signal against a different threshold level; and
generate binary data based on the comparing of each copy signal.