Optimization of throughput performance for low-power VLSI interconnects

The technique of optimal voltage scaling and repeater insertion is analyzed in this paper to reduce power dissipation on global interconnects. An analytical model for the maximum bit-rate of a very large scale integration interconnect with repeaters has been derived and results are compared with HSPICE simulations. The analytical model is also used to study the effects of interconnect length and scaling on throughput. The throughput-per-bit-energy is analyzed to determine an optimum combination of supply voltage and repeaters for a low-power global interconnect with 250 nm /spl times/ 250 nm cross-sectional dimensions implemented with the 180 nm micro-optical silicon system technology node. It is shown that the optimal supply voltage is approximately equal to twice the threshold voltage. A case study illustrates that a combination of 1 V supply along with one repeater per millimeter increases the throughput-per-bit-energy to over three times that of a latency-centric interconnect of 2 V, which results in a 70% reduction in power dissipation without any loss of throughput performance.     

移动通信直放站的种类、选型与工程安装

移动通信直放站是解决基站覆盖不足而存在信号盲区的一种方式。根据直放站系列产品的特点和移动通信网络的需求,不同的地理环境及应用场合,系统的解决方案是不同的。文中对移动通信直放站的种类、选型和安装三个方面进行了详细的论述,旨在对建设一个性能优良、经济可靠的移动通信直放站提供参考。     

Optical Fiber Transmission System Demonstration Over 32 km with Repeaters Data Rate Transparent Up to 2.3 Mbits/s

An initial optical fiber transmission system under development for Army long haul tactical communications is described and evaluated. The system interfaces with the 2.304 Mbit/s data input and output of an Army inventory multiplexer and its orderwire. The system includes transmitter and receiver end terminals, three data rate transparent repeaters, 8 km of graded index optical fiber, plus three optical attenuators and various optical connectors for simulating transmission up to 32 km. Long repeater spacing is achieved using low loss fiber, semiconductor lasers stabilized using optical feedback, and avalanche photodiodes. The system met all of the specified requirements and shows that optical fiber transmission systems have excellent prospects of meeting full military specifications. The versatility of data rate transparent repeaters is achievable even for transmission up to the 64 km distance desired for Army long haul tactical communications.     

Analytical Model for Initialization of Single Hop Packet Radio Networks

Recent studies have shown that packet radio networks (PRNET) can easily be saturated and become unstable unless efficient routing and flow control algorithms are used. To enable point-to-point packet transportation, network stations assign a code (label) to each repeater; the process of assigning such labels is referred to as "network initialization." The initialization procedure assumes that the network topology is not known a priori and is changing with time. Thus, the initialization procedure involves mapping of network topology, determining network structure (labels for repeaters), and transmitting labels to the repeaters. Although many authors have developed analytical models to study channel access schemes, no one has yet addressed directly the initialization issue. In this paper we present two models which enable one to estimate the optimal rates at which repeaters and stations must transmit connectivity information to minimize the network initialization time in a one-hop network. The first model assumes complete interference (all repeaters can communicate directly with each other), while the second (but more complex) model can provide initialization time under partial interference pattern. With these models we illustrate the effects of varying repeater and station transmission rates for small networks. Our most important results are that the network initialization time is relatively insensitive to the station transmission rate, but the repeater transmission rate must be carefully chosen to achieve rapid initialization.     

Information raining and optimal link-layer design for mobile hotspots

In this paper, we propose a link layer design for mobile hotspots. We design a novel system architecture that enables high-speed Internet access in railway systems. The proposed design uses a number of repeaters placed along the track and multiple antennas installed on the roof of a vehicle. Each packet is decomposed into smaller fragments and relayed to the vehicle via adjacent repeaters. We also use erasure coding to add parity fragments to original data. This approach is called information raining since fragments are rained upon the vehicle from adjacent repeaters. We investigate two instances of information raining. In blind information raining, all repeaters awaken when they sense the presence of the vehicle. The fragments are then blindly transmitted via awakened repeaters. A vehicle station installed inside the train is responsible for aggregating a large enough number of fragments. In the throughput-optimized information raining, the vehicle station selects a bipartite matching between repeaters and roof-top antennas and activates only a subset of the repeaters. It also dictates the amount of transmission power of each activated repeater. Both the bipartite matching and power allocations are individually shown to be NP-complete. Matching heuristics based on the Hungarian algorithm and Gale-Shapley algorithm are proposed. A simplex-type algorithm is proposed as the power allocation heuristics.     

Error Margin Estimating in Repeaters

In this paper a new method of estimating error margin inTcarrier repeaters is proposed. This estimate is based on two sets of data: (a) measurements from a commonly used test wherein bipolar violations are inserted into the line at an audio rate, and (b) the crosstalk environment in which the repeater is operating. An audio component due to violations in the bipolar signal causes a shift in the eye pattern resulting in a change of repeater error rate. This in turn changes the regenerated audio signal power by an amount depending on the initial undisturbed error rate of the repeater. This then gives a basis for extrapolating the operating error rate of a repeater from a test measurement. This error rate combined with a knowledge of the cable crosstalk parameters and number of operating systems during the test, is then used to estimate the error margin or eye opening of the repeater, assuming a Gaussian distribution for the interference. A method of ranking repeaters in a repeatered line to indicate their relative margin is proposed wherein the effect of errors on the audio signal to an intermediate test repeater is taken into account. Results presented are quite general and valid at any line rate and repeater spacing, and hence applicable for differentT-carriers such asT1, T1C, T2, etc.     

Reception Power Estimation Using Transmitter Identification Signal for Single Frequency Network

In a single frequency network (SFN) based on the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) terrestrial digital television (DTV) system, receivers inevitably suffer from the interference generated by using the same frequency among multiple transmitters or repeaters. The amount of the interference can be handled by adjusting transmit power and time of each transmitter and repeater. Hence, it is crucial to estimate the individual reception power from each transmitter or repeater at the given point of interest. This paper presents an efficient method to estimate the individual reception power from each transmitter or repeater. The field test results are provided to evaluate the proposed method. The proposed method exploits the transmitter identification (TxID) signals which are embedded in existing 8-VSB signals.      

UMTS直放站对定位业务支持的研究

文章提出了一种支持直放站覆盖区域内移动台定位的观测到达时间差(OTDOA)方法.该方法首先在直放站中配置直放站相关信息,导入服务无线网络控制器(SRNC)侧定位实体数据库,并以OTDOA定位算法获得一个移动台的位置估计;然后利用除参考基站或直放站之外的两个基站或直放站之间的双曲线验证获得另外一个位置估计,并记两次位置估计距离为误差;取所有假设通路方式误差的最小值为实际误差,此时的估计位置即为最终的移动台位置.通过该方法可提高直放站范围内移动台的定位精度.     

A Digital Hybrid Transmission System for 280 Mbits/s and 560 Mbits/s

This paper presents the development of repeaters and line equipment for an experimental digital long-haul transmission system using coaxial cable. A comparison, of different types of digital transmission systems indicates that the digital repeater hybrid system with binary transmission code is the most desirable. This development has resulted in digital pulse reshaping repeaters with very small dimensions, low cost, and good reliability. Both digital repeaters that are without timing and regenerators that include timing have been developed. Their circuitry and the corresponding signal shapes are described. The dc power-feeding system and the fault-location system are also discussed. An experimental field trial with the Deutsche Bundespost was performed over 10-repeater sections of the International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee (CCITT) normal coaxial tube with a section length of 1/2 mi, The experiments confirmed that a long-haul digital transmission system of 560 Mbits/s, and later of 1100 Mbits/s using the described system concept and technology, can be established with relatively low cost and good reliability.     

Distributed space-time coding for multihop transmission in power line communication networks

In this paper, we consider transmission in relatively wide-stretched power line communication (PLC) networks, where repeaters are required to bridge the source-to-destination distance. In particular, it is assumed that each network node is a potential repeater and that multihop transmission is accomplished in an ad hoc fashion without the need for complex routing protocols. In such a scenario, due to the broadcasting nature of the power line channel, multiple repeater nodes may receive and retransmit the source message simultaneously. It is shown that, if no further signal processing is applied at the transmitter, simultaneous retransmission often deteriorates performance compared with single-node retransmission. We therefore advocate the application of distributed space-time block codes (DSTBCs) to the problem at hand. More specifically, we propose that each network node is assigned a unique signature sequence, which allows efficient combining at the receiver. Most notably, DSTBC-based retransmission does not require explicit collaboration among network nodes for multihop transmission and detection complexity is not increased compared with single-node retransmission. Numerical results for multihop transmission over PLC networks show that DSTBC-based retransmission achieves a considerably improved performance in terms of required transmit power and multihop delay compared with alternative retransmission strategies.     

Construction and maintenance of virtual backbone in wireless networks

In ad hoc wireless networks, there is no predefined infrastructure and nodes communicate with each other via peer communications. In order to make routing efficient in such networks the connected dominating set (CDS) can act as virtual backbone for the network. A smaller virtual backbone suffers less from the interference problem and incurs less maintenance overhead. Computing minimum CDS backbone is proven to be NP-Hard, it is therefore desirable to use efficient heuristic algorithms to find a virtual backbone of small size. Diameter and average backbone path length (ABPL) are other major criteria for evaluation of the backbone produced by an algorithm. In this paper, after giving a brief survey of classical CDS algorithms, two new centralized algorithms are described for the construction of the virtual backbone and their performance has been compared with five recent algorithms (two centralized and three distributed) along the parameters: size, diameter, and ABPL. The new algorithms perform better on most of the criteria. The re-construction of entire CDS upon movement or failure of a few nodes is very costly in terms of processing power, battery utilization, bandwidth utilization etc., as compared to maintaining the CDS for the affected nodes, since the re-construction of the CDS is to be performed for the whole network while maintenance involves the affected nodes and their neighbours only. A new distributed algorithm is described that maintains the virtual backbone on movement or failure of a single node. The overhead of CDS maintenance with this algorithm compares very favourably against that of re-construction.     

Low-Noise Ultralinear Line Repeaters for the L5 Coaxial System

Two major characteristics of the coaxial cable that are of paramount importance in the design of coaxial line repeaters are the nominal cable loss and the variation in the cable loss due to seasonal variations in cable temperature. As a result, there are two types of line repeaters used to equalize for the cable loss characteristics. One is a low-noise ultralinear fixed-gain amplifier. It is designated the basic repeater and is used to equalize for the nominal loss of the coaxial cable. The second type, called the regulating repeater, includes a basic repeater plus additional circuitry which automatically corrects for dynamic variations in cable loss due to temperature. Some of the important design techniques that are used to achieve these low-noise ultralinear repeaters are described. In addition, an analysis of the steady-state response of a tandem string of regulating repeaters is included.     

Communication satellite processing repeaters

Two kinds of processing repeaters which may find application on communication satellites in the near future are described. The type I repeater allows access only if the transmitted signal contains a predetermined code structure. This serves three purposes: first, unauthorized users are excluded, second, co-channel interfering signals are not retransmitted on the downlink, so as not to waste a portion of the satellite transmitter power, and, third, removal of the interference signal at the satellite avoids having to do this at the ground receiving terminal. Thus such a repeater would find particular application where there are a large number of ground receiving stations. The type 2 repeater routes signals received at its N input terminals to be transmitted at N output terminals, thus acting as a "switchboard in the sky." Two purposes are served: first, the satellite capacity is more fully utilized in the presence of fluctuating traffic demands, and, second, single-frequency transmission and reception are possible for user ground stations, thus simplifying these stations and still allowing communication to any station in the network. It is established when the type 1 repeater is able to increase the satellite communication capability beyond that of a simple repeater and further that fairly simple filtering is sufficient on the satellite. For the type 2 repeater, a proposed frequency control plan minimizes the filtering required on the satellite where frequency division multiplex is used and reduces the amount of switching required on the satellite to N single-pole N-throw switches where time division multiplex is used without the requirement of any memory on the satellite. A summary of present-day translating repeaters, as used in the Intelsats III and IV and DSCS II satellites, is included.     

Automatic on-off switching repeater for DS/CDMA reverse linkcapacity improvement

We propose an automatic on-off switching (AOS) repeater that is switched off automatically when there is no active user within its coverage. With the AOS repeater, we can reduce the unnecessary noise enhancement. The reverse link capacity of a DS/CDMA system with AOS repeaters is analyzed mathematically and compared with that of a system with conventional repeaters. Also, the AOS circuit in a repeater can protect the reverse link capacity of a DS/CDMA system from excessive noise enhancement by abnormal repeaters. From the numerical results, noticeable improvement with the AOS repeaters is shown     

Optimal n-tier multilevel interconnect architectures for gigascaleintegration (GSI)

A multilevel interconnect architecture design methodology that optimizes the interconnect cross-sectional dimensions of each metal layer is introduced that reduces logic macrocell area, cycle time, power consumption or number of metal layers. The predictive capability of this methodology, which is based on a stochastic wiring distribution, provides insight into defining the process technology parameters for current and future generations of microprocessors and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Using this methodology on an ASIC logic macrocell case study for the 100 nm technology generation, the optimized n-tier multilevel interconnect architecture reduces macrocell area by 32%, cycle time by 16% or number of wiring tracks required on the topmost tier by 62% compared to a conventional design where pitches are doubled for every successive pair of levels. A new repeater insertion methodology is also described that further enhances gigascale integration (GSI) system performance. By using repeaters, a further reduction of 70% in macrocell area, 18% in cycle time, 25% in number of metal levels or 44% in power dissipation is achieved, when compared to an n-tier design without repeaters. The key distinguishing feature of the methodology is its comprehensive framework that simultaneously solves two distinct problems-optimal wire sizing and wiring layer assignment-using independent constraints on maximum repeater area for efficient design space exploration to optimize the area, power, frequency, and metal levels of a GSI logic megacell     

Regenerative feedback repeaters for programmable interconnections

The use of regenerative feedback repeaters to reduce the delay in programmable interconnections is described. A static, complementary regenerative feedback (CRF) repeater is proposed. This CRF repeater locally regenerates the new level for a fixed time after a transition has been detected. Design issues and limitations are discussed. It is shown that rising transitions can propagate faster than falling transitions through a chain of overdriven nMOS switches with CRF repeaters. Experimental results from a 1.2 μm CMOS implementation show that the loaded delay through 64 switches for static and dynamic repeaters can be reduced by a factor 1.4-2 over conventional repeaters     

The Organization of Computer Resources into a Packet Radio Network

Packet radio communications provides an effective way to interconnect fixed and mobile computer resources. The ALOHA System at the University of Hawaii first introduced this capability in the context of a single-hop system using off-the-shelf RF equipment with all terminals within line of sight of the central station. The packet radio network described in this paper is 1) an extension of the basic Hawaii work to a geographically distributed system involving the use of repeaters to achieve area coverage beyond line of sight, and 2) provides added capabilities for authentication, antijam protection, and coexistence with other possibly different systems in the same band. An overview of the packet radio system concept is given in this paper.     

S/N performance of an AlGaAs laser preamplifier and a linear repeater system

Baseband signal-to-noise-ratio characteristics in an AlGaAs laser preamplifier and a linear repeater system were studied theoretically and experimentally. The AlGaAs laser preamplifier improved the minimum detectable power by 1.6 dB over the level achieved by direct detection with an Si APD. 37 dB regenerative repeater gain was experimentally obtained in the system with two optical repeaters at 100 Mbit/s data rate.     

Optical transmission research

The availability of coherent sources producing usable amounts of power in the optical frequency range has stimulated considerable research in optical communications. Devices such as oscillators, modulators, detectors, and ancillary apparatus having desirable characteristics exist and are being used to design and build prototype terminals. Two possible media are being studied and means are being sought to improve their performance. They are 1) through-the-atmosphere propagation and 2) enclosed media with appropriate focusing and directing elements. Experimental optical transmission systems can readily be assembled with information capacities in a single RF channel comparable to those of microwave radio or millimeter waveguide. Such optical systems are not yet competitive for high reliability common carrier service because 1) long-distance transmission techniques of adequate reliability have not yet been advanced, and 2) optical repeater components are not yet competitive with their lower frequency counterparts. Some features characteristic of optical transmission systems are reviewed in this paper, along with a brief indication of the state-of-the-art for major components.     

Universal portable radio communications

In our highly mobile society, the provision of voice and data communications to people away from their wireline telephones has become a major communications frontier. Some emerging radio systems, e.g., cellular mobile radio, cordless telephone, and radio paging, have begun to penetrate this frontier. However, each of these approaches only partially satisfies portable communication needs. That is, the approaches do not provide overall portable communication service. Some of the problems involved and the technologies and system configurations needed for an advanced radio communications system are discussed. The goal for the system is to provide high quality ubiquitous service to low power portable radiotelephones and data terminals. Frequency reuse radio system configurations applicable to residential and large building environments will be described along with multipath and other 800 MHz radio propagation limitations. The system would use fixed radio ports attached to the telephone network and spaced about 2000 ft in residential areas. The residential ports would have antenna heights of less than 30 ft. The horizontal spacing of ports within large buildings would be 200 ft or more. In service areas, more than 99 percent radio link availability would be provided for 5 mW portable transmitters.