Power analysis and optimization for high-speed I/O transceivers

This paper analytically optimizes the overall power consumption of the signaling path of a high-speed link utilizing a source-series terminated (SST) transmitter, either a receive continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) or transmit pre-emphasis, and operating over a simple single-pole channel. The analysis derives the optimal allocation between transmit swing and receive gain as well as the allocation of power consumption between the two sides. The analysis also shows that the pre-driver overheads inherent in implementing programmable transmit pre-emphasis make the receive CTLE a substantially more power-efficient solution.