Adaptive Data-Transition Decision Feedback Equalizers For High-Speed Serial Links

Abstract

This dissertation investigates adaptive decision feedback equalizers for high-speed serial data links.<div>An adaptive data-transition decision feedback equalizer (DT-DFE) was developed. The DT-DFE boosts the eye-opening of the high-frequency components of data without attenuating their low-frequency counterparts. Reference voltages were obtained by transmitting consecutive 1s and 0s and measuring the output of the continuous-time linear equalizer using a pair of successive approximation register analog-to-digital converters in a training phase. It uses loop unrolling to detect data transitions, activate tap-tuning, launch DFE, and combat timing constraints. The performance of the DT-DFE and its advantages over commonly used data-state DFE were validated using the schematic-level simulation results of 5 Gbps backplane links.<br></div><div>A new adaptive DT-DFE with edge-emphasis (EE) taps and raised references was developed. Loop-unrolling was further developed for DT-DFE with EE-taps. The reference voltages were raised beyond that set by the low-frequency components of data to increase vertical eye-opening. Clock and data recovery was performed using 4x oversampling. The DT-DFE was validated using the schematiclevel simulation results of 10 Gbps backplane links.<br></div><div>A pre-skewed bi-directional gated delay line (BDGDL) bang-bang frequency difference-to-digital converter and a BDGDL integrating frequency difference-todigital converter (iFDDC) were proposed for clock and data recovery. Both frequency difference detectors feature all-digital realization, low power consumption, and high-speed operation. The built-in integration of iFDDC results in a zero static frequency error and the first-order noise-shaping of the quantization errors of the BDGDL and digitally-controlled oscillators. Their effectiveness was validated using schematic-level simulation results of 5-GHz frequency-locked loops.<br></div><div>All systems validating the proposed adaptive DFE and frequency-difference detectors were designed in TSMC’s 65 nm CMOS technology and analyzed using Spectre from Cadence Design Systems. <br></div>