Patent ID: 7400671

Claim:
A method for calibrating a parameter of a communication channel comprising a first device, a second device, and a bidirectional link that couples the first and second devices, the method comprising: the first device: establishing an operation value for the parameter using a first algorithm including a first calibration sequence, wherein the first calibration sequence comprises patterns that are transmitted from the first device to the second device via the bidirectional link; operating the bidirectional link using the operation value for communication of data; tracking adjustment information using a second algorithm including second calibration sequences executed two or more times interspersed during said operation of the bidirectional link, wherein the two or more second calibration sequences comprise patterns that are transmitted between the first and second devices via the bidirectional link and the first algorithm is different than the second algorithm; computing a drift value for the parameter using the adjustment information; and adjusting the operation value for the parameter using the drift value.