Patent Abstract:
A signal processing method is disclosed. The method includes identifying a preferred loss profile for a plurality of signal transmission channels and generating a filter transfer function corresponding to each of the plurality of signal transmission channels, where each filter transfer function is configured to produce a filtered signal with a loss profile approximately equal to the preferred loss profile. The method further includes generating a plurality of filtered signals by filtering a plurality of signals using the filter transfer function corresponding to each of the plurality of signal transmission channels. and transmitting the plurality of filtered signals to a plurality of receivers via the plurality of signal transmission channels.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems and more particularly to signal transmission among components of an information handling system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. For example, an information handling system may be a tablet computer or mobile device (e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone) configured to transmit data on a wireless communications network. Information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
         [0003]    Many different types of channels and signal transmission methods may be used to transmit data between components of an information handling system. The channels over which the signals are transmitted may negatively affect signal integrity. For example, certain channels may be prone to frequency loss and/or high reflectivity, both of which may degrade and/or attenuate the data signal. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a signal processing method is disclosed. The method includes identifying a preferred loss profile for a plurality of signal transmission channels and generating a filter transfer function corresponding to each of the plurality of signal transmission channels, where each filter transfer function is configured to produce a filtered signal with a loss profile approximately equal to the preferred loss profile. The method further includes generating a plurality of filtered signals by filtering a plurality of signals using the filter transfer function corresponding to each of the plurality of signal transmission channels. and transmitting the plurality of filtered signals to a plurality of receivers via the plurality of signal transmission channels. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment of the present disclosure, an information handling system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of receivers, a plurality of signal transmission channels, and a plurality of transmitters. Each transmitter is communicatively coupled to one of the plurality of receivers via one of the plurality of signal transmission channels. Each transmitter is configured to generate a filter transfer function configured to produce a filtered signal with a loss profile approximately equal to a preferred loss profile of the plurality of signal transmission channels. Each transmitter is further configured to generate a filtered signal using the filter transfer function, and transmit the filtered signal to one of the plurality of receivers via one of the plurality of signal transmission channels. 
         [0006]    In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer readable storage medium including computer-executable instructions carried on the computer readable medium is disclosed. The instructions are readable by a processor and, when read and executed, configured to cause the processor to generate a filter transfer function configured to produce a filtered signal with a loss profile approximately equal to a preferred loss profile of a plurality of signal transmission channels. The instructions, when read and executed, are further configured to generate a filtered signal using the filter transfer function, and transmit the filtered signal to a receiver via one of the plurality of signal transmission channels. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    A more complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example information handling system including a digital filter, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a graph of the waveform of a signal that has been digitally filtered in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure compared to the waveform of an unfiltered signal; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an example information handling system including an analog filter, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a graph of the waveform of a signal that has been filtered using an analog filter in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure compared to the waveform of an unfiltered signal; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of an example method of signal processing, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts. 
         [0014]    For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, communicate, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer (e.g., desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device (e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g., blade server or rack server), a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreen and/or a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components. 
         [0015]    For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing. 
         [0016]    The various channels on which signals are transmitted in an information handling system may have different loss profiles. The loss profile of a particular channel may be characterized by the level and type of frequency loss experienced by a signal transmitted on the channel, as well as the reflectivity of the channel. The high-speed signals used to transmit data between components of an information handling system may be subject to high-frequency losses, which may degrade and attenuate the high-frequency content of the signal. High-frequency losses may increase as the length of the transmission channel increases. Techniques, such as transmitter pre-emphasis and linear equalization, have been developed to improve signal integrity by boosting the high-frequency component of the signal to compensate for high-frequency losses. When these equalization techniques are applied to signals transmitted on channels with different loss profiles, however, they may negatively affect signal integrity. Consider, for example, a highly reflective transmission channel with low levels of high-frequency loss. If transmitter pre-emphasis is used to boost the high-frequency component of a signal transmitted on such a channel, the effect of reflections in the transmission channel may be amplified. 
         [0017]    The teachings of the present disclosure may be used to enhance signal integrity by equalizing the loss profiles of the various channels on which signals are transmitted in an information handling system. For example, signals may be filtered such that the signal loss of the resulting signal approximates a preferred loss-profile, which may be equalized across the various channels of an information handling system. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example information handling system  100  including a digital filter, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Information handling system  100  may include a transmitter  110  communicatively coupled to a receiver  120  via a transmission channel  130 . 
         [0019]    Transmitter  110  may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). For example, transmitter  110  may be a processor, a memory, a network interface, or any other application-specific integrated circuit. Transmitter  110  may include a logic core  140  communicatively coupled to an I/O interface  150 . Logic core  140  may include any system, device, or apparatus operable to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. For example, logic core  140  may include a processor. I/O interface  150  may include any system, device, or apparatus operable to send and receive data. For example, I/O interface  150  may include a memory  152 , a digital filter  154 , and a driver  156 . Memory  152  may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable storage media). For example, memory  152  may include random access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing. Digital filter  154  may be a finite impulse response (FIR) filter and driver  156  may be a digital-to-analog converter operable to convert digital signal bit data into analog output voltages. In some embodiments, driver  156  may have an output impedance of approximately 50 ohms. 
         [0020]    Signal transmission channel  130  may include a signal trace on a printed circuit board (PCB), group of signal traces on a PCB, cable, flex circuit, wireharness, or any other communications media. Signal transmission channel  130  may have a unique loss profile, which may affect the signal integrity of signals transmitted on signal transmission channel  130 . For example, signals transmitted on signal transmission channel  130  may be subject to a particular level of high-frequency loss, which may degrade and attenuate the high-frequency content of the signal. High-frequency losses may increase as the length of signal transmission channel  130  increases. As another example, signals transmitted on signal transmission channel  130  may be subject to reflections (e.g., a portion of the signal power may be reflected back to the transmitter instead of continuing to the receiver). Reflections may occur due to imperfections in signal transmission channel  130  that cause an impedance mismatch and/or a non-linear change in the channel characteristics. Reflections may reduce signal power and/or cause an irregular time variation of period signal properties, which may be referred to as “jitter.” 
         [0021]    Like transmitter  110 , receiver  120  may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). For example, receiver  120  may be a processor, a memory, a network interface, or any other application-specific integrated circuit. Receiver  120  may include a logic core  160  communicatively coupled to an I/O interface  170 . Logic core  160  may include any system, device, or apparatus operable to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. For example, logic core  160  may include a processor. I/O interface  170  may include any system, device, or apparatus operable to send and receive data. 
         [0022]    A data signal may be transmitted from transmitter  110  to receiver  120  via signal transmission channel  130 . In some embodiments, a data signal may originate in transmitter  110  or in a component of information handling system  100  that is communicatively coupled to transmitter  110 . Digital filter  154  may receive a data signal from memory  152  and or logic core  140 . The data signal may be filtered by digital filter  154  such that the signal loss of the filtered signal approximates a preferred loss profile for signal transmission channel  130 . The filtered signal may be transmitted to receiver  120  via signal transmission channel  130 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a graph that compares the waveforms of an unfiltered signal transmitted on signal transmission channel  130  with the waveform of a signal that has been digitally-filtered in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Waveform  210  illustrates the waveform of an unfiltered signal transmitted on signal transmission channel  130 , waveform  220  illustrates the waveform of a signal that has been filtered by digital filter  154 , and waveform  230  illustrates the transfer function of digital filter  154 . Dotted line  240  illustrates the preferred loss profile of signal transmission channel  130 . 
         [0024]    The transfer function of digital filter  154 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as waveform  230 , may be represented by the following equation: H(f)=Σ n=0   N C n (j2πfT) −n , where C n  is the coefficient of the digital filter, f is the frequency of interest, T is the sampling period (which may also be expressed as 1/f), and j is √{square root over (−1)}. In some embodiments, f may be approximately equal to the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). Where f is the Nyquist frequency, T may be equal to 1/f, which may be equal to approximately 1.67×10 −10 . In some embodiments, digital filter  154  may be a three-tap filter. For a three-tap filter, the transfer function may be expressed as: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
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         [0000]    which reduces to 
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         [0000]    at the Nyquist frequency of 1/(2*T). The value of filter coefficients, C 0 , C 1 , C 2 , and C 3 , may be chosen based on the loss profile of signal transmission channel  130 . For example, the value of filter coefficients, C 0 , C 1 , C 2 , and C 3 , may be chosen such that the signal loss of waveform  220  of the filtered signal approximates preferred loss profile  240 . 
         [0025]    For example, waveform  210  illustrates that the signal loss on signal transmission channel  130  is approximately eleven decibels (11 dB) at the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). The preferred signal loss at this frequency, however, may be approximately twenty-four decibels (24 dB), which is illustrated by preferred loss profile  240 . Filter coefficients, C 0 , C 1 , C 2 , and C 3 , may be selected such that the signal loss on signal transmission channel  130  is approximately equal to that of preferred loss profile  240  at the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). In some embodiments, filter coefficients, C 0 , C 1 , C 2 , and C 3  may be equal to 0.5, 0.3, 0.1, and 0.1, respectively. Using these values for filter coefficients C 0 , C 1 , C 2 , and C 3 , waveform  220  illustrates that the signal loss of the filtered signal approximates preferred loss profile  240  at the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, a system administrator and/or system designer may identify and set the value of the filter coefficients of digital filter  154  at or before the time system  100  is initialized. In other embodiments, the value of the filter coefficients of digital filter  154  may be initially set by a system administrator and/or system designer and modified based on the performance of system  100 . For example, a system administrator and/or system designer may evaluate the signal integrity of a data signal received at receiver  120  and modify the value of the filter coefficients of digital filter  154  such that the signal loss of the filtered signal more closely approximates a preferred loss profile for signal transmission channel  130 . In still other embodiments, receiver  120  may be configured to transmit a waveform of the received signal to logic core  140  of transmitter  110 . Logic core  140  may be configured to evaluate the waveform and modify the value the filter coefficients of digital filter  154  such that the signal loss of the filtered signal more closely approximates a preferred loss profile for signal transmission channel  130 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an example information handling system  300  including an analog filter, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Information handling system  300  may include a transmitter  310  communicatively coupled to a receiver  120  via a transmission channel  130 . 
         [0028]    Transmitter  310  may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). For example, transmitter  310  may be a processor, a memory, a network interface, or any other application-specific integrated circuit. Transmitter  310  may include a logic core  140  communicatively coupled to an I/O interface  350 . As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 , logic core  140  may include any system, device, or apparatus operable to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. I/O interface  350  may include any system, device, or apparatus operable to send and receive data. For example, I/O interface  350  may include a memory  152 , a driver  156 , and an analog filter  354 . Analog filter  354  may be a passive linear filter or any other suitable type of analog filter. 
         [0029]    A data signal may be transmitted from transmitter  310  to receiver  120  via signal transmission channel  130 . In some embodiments, a data signal may originate in transmitter  310  or in a component of information handling system  300  that is communicatively coupled to transmitter  310 . Analog filter  354  may receive a data signal from memory  152  and or logic core  140 . The data signal may be filtered by analog filter  354  such that the signal loss of the filtered signal approximates a preferred loss profile for signal transmission channel  130 . The filtered signal may be transmitted to receiver  120  via signal transmission channel  130 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a graph that compares the waveforms of an unfiltered signal transmitted on signal transmission channel  130  with the waveform of a signal that has been filtered by analog filter  354  (shown in  FIG. 3 ), in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Waveform  410  illustrates the waveform of an unfiltered signal transmitted on signal transmission channel  130 , waveform  420  illustrates the waveform of a signal that has been filtered by analog filter  354 , and waveform  430  illustrates the transfer function of analog filter  354 . Dotted line  440  illustrates the preferred loss profile of signal transmission channel  130 . 
         [0031]    The transfer function of analog filter  354 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 4  as waveform  430 , may be represented by the following equation: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
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         [0000]    where f is the frequency of interest, f p1  and f p2  are the frequencies at the poles of the analog filter, and G is a gain constant. In some embodiments, f may be equal to the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). In some embodiments, the value of the gain constant, G, may be approximately equal to or less than one (1). Much like filter coefficients, C 0 , C 1 , C 2 , and C 3 , of digital filter  154  (discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 2 ), the values of pole frequencies f p1  and f p2  may be chosen based on the loss profile of signal transmission channel  130 . For example, the value of pole frequencies f p1  and f p2  may be chosen such the signal loss of waveform  420  of a filtered signal approximates preferred loss profile  240 . 
         [0032]    For example, waveform  410  illustrates that the signal loss on signal transmission channel  130  is approximately eleven decibels (11 dB) at the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). The preferred signal loss at this frequency, however, may be approximately twenty-four decibels (24 dB), which is illustrated by preferred loss profile  440 . Pole frequencies f p1  and f p2  may be selected such that the signal loss on signal transmission channel  130  is approximately equal to that of preferred loss profile  440  at the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). In some embodiments, the gain constant (G) may be equal to one (1) and pole frequencies f p1  and f p2  may be equal to 1.6 GHz and 300 GHz, respectively. Using these values for the gain constant and pole frequencies,  420  illustrates that the signal loss of the filtered signal approximates that of preferred loss profile  440  at the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, a system administrator and/or system designer may identify and set the value of pole frequencies f p1  and f p2  at or before the time system  300  is initialized. In other embodiments, the value of pole frequencies f p1  and f p2  may be initially set by a system administrator and/or system designer and modified based on the performance of system  300 . For example, a system administrator and/or system designer may evaluate the signal integrity of a data signal received at receiver  120  and modify the value of pole frequencies f p1  and f p2  such that the signal loss of the filtered signal more closely approximates a preferred loss profile for signal transmission channel  130 . In still other embodiments, receiver  120  may be configured to transmit a waveform of the received signal to logic core  140  of transmitter  310 . Logic core  140  may be configured to evaluate the waveform and modify the value of pole frequencies f p1  and f p2  such that the signal loss of the filtered signal more closely approximates the preferred loss profile for signal transmission channel  130 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of an example signal processing method, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Although  FIG. 5  discloses a particular number of steps to be taken with respect to example method  500 , method  500  may be executed with more or fewer steps than those depicted in  FIG. 5 . In addition, although  FIG. 5  discloses a certain order of steps to be taken with respect to method  500 , the steps comprising these methods may be completed in any suitable order. Method  500  may be implemented using the systems of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3 , and/or or any other suitable mechanism. In certain embodiments, method  500  may be implemented partially or fully in software embodied in computer-readable storage media. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, method  500  may begin at step  510 . At step  510 , a preferred loss profile may be identified for signal transmission channels in an information handling system. The signal transmission channels of an information handling system may have varying loss profiles. To enhance signal integrity, the loss profiles of the various channels on which signals are transmitted may be equalized such that the signal loss experienced by signals transmitted on each channel approximates a preferred loss profile for the information handling system. 
         [0036]    At step  520 , the loss profile of a particular signal transmission channel may be determined. In some embodiments, a signal may be transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver via the particular signal transmission channel. A graph of the waveform of the signal received at the receiver may be analyzed to determine the signal loss experienced at various frequencies. 
         [0037]    At step  530 , a determination may be made regarding whether the information handling system includes a digital filter or an analog filter. If the system includes a digital filter, the method may proceed to step  540 . At step  540 , the value of the filter coefficients may be selected. As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 2 , the transfer function of a three-tap digital filter may be expressed as: 
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         [0000]    where C 0 , C 1 , C 2 , and C 3  are the filter coefficients, f is the frequency of interest, T is the sampling period (which may also be expressed as 1/f), and j is √{square root over (−1)}. In some embodiments, f may be approximately equal to the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). Where f is the Nyquist frequency, T may be equal to 1/f, which may be equal to approximately 1.67×10 −10 . The values of the filter coefficients may be selected such that the signal loss on the signal transmission channel is approximately equal to that of the preferred loss profile. 
         [0038]    If, on the other hand, the system includes an analog filter, the method may proceed to step  545 . At step  545 , the value of pole frequencies f p1  and f p2  may be selected. As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 , the transfer function of an analog filter may be represented by the following equation: 
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         [0000]    where f is the frequency of interest, f p1  and f p2  are the frequencies at the poles of the analog filter, and G is a gain constant. In some embodiments, f may be equal to the Nyquist frequency (6 GHz). In some embodiments, the value of the gain constant, G, may be approximately equal to or less than one (1). The value of the pole frequencies may be selected such that the signal loss on the signal transmission channel is approximately equal to that of the preferred loss profile. 
         [0039]    At step  550 , the signal may be filtered and transmitted to the receiver. As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 , a digital or analog filter included in the transmitter may receive a data signal from a memory and/or logic core of the transmitter. The data signal may be filtered such that the signal loss of the filtered signal approximates a preferred loss profile. The filtered signal may then be transmitted to the receiver via the signal transmission channel. 
         [0040]    At step  560 , the signal received by the receiver may be compared to the preferred loss profile to determine whether the filter coefficients or pole frequencies should be refined. As discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , in some embodiments, a system administrator and/or system designer may evaluate the waveform of a data signal received at the receiver and modify the value of the filter coefficients or pole frequencies such that the signal loss of the filtered signal more closely approximates a preferred loss profile. In other embodiments, the receiver may be configured to transmit the waveform of the received signal to the logic core of the transmitter. The logic core may be configured to evaluate the waveform and modify the value of the filter coefficients or pole frequencies such that the signal loss of the filtered signal more closely approximates a preferred loss profile. 
         [0041]    If it is determined that the filter coefficients or pole frequencies do not warrant modification, the method may return to step  520  to be repeated for a different signal transmission channel of the information handling system. If, on the other hand, the filter coefficients or pole frequencies do warrant modification, the method may proceed to step  570 . At step  570 , the loss profile of the signal transmission channel with the existing signal coefficients or pole frequencies may be determined. As stated above with respect to step  520 , a signal may be transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver via the particular signal transmission channel and a graph of the waveform of the received signal may be analyzed to determine the signal loss experienced at various frequencies. When the loss profile the signal transmission channel with the existing signal coefficients or pole frequencies has been determined, the method may return to step  530 . 
         [0042]    Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7