Patent 10877233

Derivative works

Defensive disclosure: derivative variations of each claim designed to render future incremental improvements obvious or non-novel.

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Derivative works

Defensive disclosure: derivative variations of each claim designed to render future incremental improvements obvious or non-novel.

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This Defensive Disclosure document outlines derivative variations of the core inventive concepts disclosed in US Patent 10877233, "Active Ethernet Cable with Preset Pre-Equalization." The aim is to defensively publish these concepts, rendering future incremental improvements by competitors obvious or non-novel by disclosing diverse implementations and applications. The core inventive concept across claims 1, 8, and 15 involves active electrical cables with Data Recovery and Re-modulation (DRR) devices at each end, where these DRR devices perform preset pre-equalization of electrical transit signals using transmit filter coefficient values stored in nonvolatile memories.

Combination Prior Art Scenarios

Here are at least three scenarios combining the principles of US10877233 with existing open-source standards, demonstrating how a skilled artisan could integrate and extend the invention.

  1. Integration with Open Compute Project (OCP) Networking Standards for Data Center Cabling:

    • Description: The active Ethernet cable with preset pre-equalization, as described in US10877233, is implemented within the mechanical and electrical specifications of Open Compute Project (OCP) network cabling, specifically adapting to OCP NIC (Network Interface Card) form factors and interconnect requirements. The nonvolatile memory within the DRR devices stores pre-equalization coefficients optimized not just for the cable length, but also for specific OCP rack topologies and server hardware, as determined by automated characterization processes compliant with OCP test specifications. The cable's embedded microcontroller (MCU 206) exposes management interfaces (e.g., I2C/MDIO as in US10877233, but potentially extended with OCP-defined telemetry protocols) to OCP-compliant switches or servers, allowing for querying of stored equalization profiles, error statistics, and cable health, all while leveraging the fundamental preset pre-equalization for optimal initial link performance upon power-on.
    • Relevance: OCP provides open standards for efficient data center hardware. Integrating active electrical cables with preset pre-equalization directly into this ecosystem would be an obvious step for a PHOSITA seeking to optimize inter-rack or intra-rack connectivity for performance and power efficiency within standardized OCP environments.

  2. Implementation with the Gen-Z Interconnect Standard for Memory-Semantic Systems:

    • Description: The active electrical cable, employing DRR devices with preset pre-equalization, is adapted for use as a physical layer interconnect in a Gen-Z fabric. Gen-Z is an open systems interconnect standard providing memory-semantic access to data and devices. The electrical conductors (106) carry Gen-Z packets, and the DRR devices (202, 204) perform the specified pre-equalization using coefficients stored in nonvolatile memory (207). This ensures reliable high-speed, low-latency data transfer across the Gen-Z interconnect, which is crucial for memory-semantic operations. The preset coefficients are determined during manufacturing specifically for the impedance and dispersion characteristics mandated by Gen-Z physical layer specifications over various cable lengths, ensuring plug-and-play operation in a Gen-Z environment without requiring extensive link training upon connection. The management interfaces (e.g., I2C/MDIO) within the DRR device are leveraged to report cable health and loaded pre-equalization profile to a Gen-Z fabric manager.
    • Relevance: Gen-Z demands extremely low latency and high bandwidth for memory-semantic communication. Applying active electrical cables with stable, preset pre-equalization to this standard is an obvious extension for ensuring signal integrity and performance without incurring overhead from dynamic equalization training, thereby meeting the stringent requirements of memory-semantic fabrics.

  3. Use with the CAN Bus (Controller Area Network) for Automotive Ethernet Backbones:

    • Description: An active electrical cable with DRR devices and preset pre-equalization, as per US10877233, is specifically engineered to carry Automotive Ethernet (e.g., IEEE 802.3ch, 802.3bp) traffic over a vehicle's high-speed backbone, while coexisting with or encapsulating traditional CAN bus management signals. The DRR devices (202, 204) are designed to operate within automotive environmental specifications (temperature, vibration). The nonvolatile memory (207) stores pre-equalization coefficients specifically tuned for automotive-grade shielded twisted-pair (or twin-axial) cables, accounting for the unique noise and impedance variations encountered in a vehicle. The preset nature of the equalization ensures rapid link-up and consistent performance in safety-critical applications, where predictable network behavior is paramount. The cable's management interface (e.g., I2C/MDIO) is configured to expose diagnostic information that can be accessed via a gateway to the vehicle's CAN bus for central diagnostics and maintenance.
    • Relevance: Automotive networks require robust, reliable, and often high-speed communication. Extending active electrical cable technology with preset pre-equalization to meet Automotive Ethernet standards and interact with existing CAN bus diagnostics is a natural and obvious application for enhancing in-vehicle networking performance, especially for ADAS and infotainment systems.

Derivative Variations for Core Claims (1, 8, 15)

The following derivative variations expand upon the core inventive concept of US Patent 10877233, particularly focusing on the "preset pre-equalization of electrical transit signals using transmit filter coefficient values stored in nonvolatile memories" within active cable DRR devices. These derivatives apply to the cable apparatus (Claim 1), the manufacturing method (Claim 8), and the communications method (Claim 15).

1. Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1: DRR Devices with On-Die Phase-Change Memory (PCM) and Carbon Nanotube Conductors

  • Enabling Description: The Data Recovery and Re-modulation (DRR) devices (202, 204) are fabricated as System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions, integrating the transmit and receive equalization filters, CDR circuits, and an embedded controller (228). Crucially, the nonvolatile memory (207) for storing transmit filter coefficient values is implemented as on-die Phase-Change Memory (PCM). PCM offers byte-addressability, high endurance, and faster read/write speeds than traditional Flash memory, enabling quicker retrieval and potential in-field updates of pre-equalization coefficients. The electrical conductors (106) comprising the cable are manufactured using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) or graphene flakes embedded in a polymer matrix, providing superior conductivity and reduced skin effect at high frequencies compared to traditional copper twinaxial wires, thereby extending effective transmission distances or supporting higher data rates with less pre-equalization effort.
classDiagram
    class DRR_SoC {
        +CDR_Circuit
        +Tx_Equalizer
        +Rx_Equalizer
        +Embedded_Controller
        +OnDie_PCM_Memory<FilterCoeffs>
    }
    class Cable {
        +MWCNT_Graphene_Conductors
    }
    DRR_SoC <--> Cable : Electrical Transit Signals
    DRR_SoC : Store/Retrieve FilterCoeffs

Derivative 1.2: Ferrite-Loaded Connectors with Thermoelectric DRR Cooling

  • Enabling Description: The end connector plugs (200, 201) are constructed with integrated ferrite beads or powdered iron cores surrounding the high-speed differential pairs near the DRR devices. These ferrite loads are strategically placed to provide broadband impedance matching and common-mode noise suppression at the connector-to-PCB interface, passively augmenting the pre-equalization by reducing reflected noise and improving signal integrity. Each DRR device (202, 204) is thermally coupled to a miniaturized solid-state thermoelectric cooler (TEC) module, powered by the cable's auxiliary power. The TEC actively manages the DRR device's junction temperature, ensuring stable operation of the high-speed SerDes circuits and consistent performance of the preset pre-equalization filters, particularly in environments with fluctuating ambient temperatures. The nonvolatile memory (207) for coefficients is a high-reliability Magnetic Random-Access Memory (MRAM).
graph TD
    A[Host Port] -- Plug 200 --> B{Ferrite-Loaded Connector}
    B -- PCB Traces --> C[DRR Device with MRAM]
    C -- TEC Module --> D[Heat Sink/Ambient]
    C -- Electrical Transit Signals --> E[Cable Conductors]
    E -- Electrical Transit Signals --> F[DRR Device with MRAM]
    F -- PCB Traces --> G{Ferrite-Loaded Connector}
    G -- Plug 201 --> H[Host Port]
    C -- Power --> TEC(Thermoelectric Cooler)
    F -- Power --> TEC

2. Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 2.1: Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Coaxial Active Cable for Sub-THz Bandwidths

  • Enabling Description: The active electrical cable is designed for sub-Terahertz (sub-THz) frequency operation (e.g., 100-300 GHz), enabling multi-terabit-per-second (Tbps) data rates. Instead of traditional twinaxial conductors, the cable utilizes impedance-controlled coaxial lines with dielectric-filled waveguides or specialized micro-coaxial structures to minimize dispersion and attenuation at these extreme frequencies. The DRR devices (202, 204) employ direct RF sampling architectures and integrate custom-designed transmit-side Finite Impulse Response (FIR) pre-equalization filters capable of operating at symbol rates exceeding 100 Giga-Baud, possibly using higher-order PAM (e.g., PAM8 or PAM16) modulation. The preset transmit filter coefficient values are stored in high-density, radiation-hardened nonvolatile memory (e.g., e-Flash or FeRAM) within the DRR ASIC, and are determined during a rigorous manufacturing test phase involving vector network analyzer (VNA) characterization up to 300 GHz.
flowchart TD
    A[Host Device TX] --> B(RF Front End)
    B --> C(Digital Pre-Equalizer)
    C --> D{Tx FIR Filter <br> Coefficients from NVM}
    D --> E(RF Modulator)
    E --> F[UHF Coaxial Cable]
    F --> G(RF Demodulator)
    G --> H(Rx Equalizer)
    H --> I[Host Device RX]
    D -- Preset Coefficients --> J[Nonvolatile Memory]
    J -- Stored during --> K(Manufacturing VNA Test)

Derivative 2.2: Cryogenic Active Cable with Superconducting Interconnects

  • Enabling Description: The active electrical cable is engineered for operation within cryogenic environments, specifically at temperatures below 77K (liquid nitrogen) or 4K (liquid helium), for applications such as quantum computing interconnects or sensitive scientific instrumentation. The electrical conductors (106) are made from high-temperature superconducting (HTS) or low-temperature superconducting (LTS) materials, minimizing ohmic losses. The DRR devices (202, 204) are implemented using cryo-CMOS or superconducting electronics (e.g., Rapid Single Flux Quantum, RSFQ) that function reliably at these temperatures. The preset pre-equalization coefficients are stored in specialized cryogenic-compatible nonvolatile memory (e.g., superconducting memory cells) and are optimized to counteract subtle impedance mismatches and dispersion effects that become prominent at quantum scales, as characterized during a cryogenic assembly and test process. The goal is ultra-low power dissipation and maximum signal fidelity in the quantum domain.
stateDiagram
    state "Initialization" as Init
    state "Cryogenic Environment" as CryoEnv
    state "DRR Operating" as DRROp
    state "Coefficient Loading" as CoeffLoad

    Init --> CoeffLoad : Power-On
    CoeffLoad --> DRROp : Coefficients Loaded from CryoNVM
    DRROp --> CryoEnv : Stable Operation
    CryoEnv --> DRROp : Data Flow

    state "Cryogenic Nonvolatile Memory" as CryoNVM {
        [*] --> StoreCoeffs : Manufacturing
        StoreCoeffs --> ReadCoeffs : During Operation
    }

3. Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 3.1: Active Cable for High-Resolution Medical Imaging Data Transfer

  • Enabling Description: An active electrical cable (AEC) with preset pre-equalization is adapted for high-bandwidth, real-time data transfer from medical imaging modalities (e.g., 7T MRI scanners, high-resolution CT, PET-CT) to processing workstations or cloud infrastructure. The cable's electrical conductors (106) are designed for low electromagnetic interference (EMI) emission, crucial in sensitive medical environments. The DRR devices (202, 204) and their nonvolatile memories (207) are encapsulated in biocompatible, MRI-compatible shielding materials (e.g., non-ferrous, non-magnetic alloys). The preset transmit filter coefficient values are specifically characterized and stored to maintain maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and image fidelity over extended cable lengths, compensating for frequency-dependent losses induced by varying medical device interfaces and cable routing within clinical settings. This ensures artifact-free, high-throughput image reconstruction.
sequenceDiagram
    participant MRI_Scanner
    participant AEC_DRR1
    participant AEC_Cable
    participant AEC_DRR2
    participant Workstation

    MRI_Scanner->>AEC_DRR1: Multi-lane Data Stream (Electrical)
    AEC_DRR1->>AEC_DRR1: Convert & Preset Pre-Equalize (Coeffs from NVM)
    AEC_DRR1->>AEC_Cable: Electrical Transit Signals (Low EMI)
    AEC_Cable->>AEC_DRR2: Electrical Transit Signals (Low EMI)
    AEC_DRR2->>AEC_DRR2: Convert (De-Equalize Implicit)
    AEC_DRR2->>Workstation: Multi-lane Data Stream (Electrical)
    Note over AEC_DRR1,AEC_DRR2: Encapsulated in Biocompatible, MRI-Compatible Shielding

Derivative 3.2: Ruggedized Active Cable for Industrial Robotics and Automation

  • Enabling Description: The active electrical cable system is engineered for robust operation in harsh industrial environments, connecting robotic manipulators, vision systems, and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) at gigabit Ethernet speeds. The cable jacket (106) is reinforced with aramid fibers and thermoplastic elastomers for enhanced abrasion, chemical, and oil resistance, as well as continuous flex durability. The DRR devices (202, 204) are housed in industrial-grade, IP67-rated connectors (e.g., M12 or RJ45 variants) and operate across an extended temperature range (-40°C to +85°C). The nonvolatile memories (207) store preset pre-equalization coefficients specifically tuned to maintain signal integrity despite dynamic cable movement, electromagnetic interference from industrial machinery, and temperature fluctuations, ensuring reliable, low-latency communication critical for synchronized robotic operations.
graph TD
    A[Robot Arm Sensor] -- High-Speed Ethernet --> B{IP67 Connector + DRR1}
    B -- Harsh Environment <br> Ruggedized Cable --> C{IP67 Connector + DRR2}
    C -- High-Speed Ethernet --> D[Industrial Controller / PLC]
    DRR1 -- Load Coeffs --> NVM1(Nonvolatile Memory)
    DRR2 -- Load Coeffs --> NVM2(Nonvolatile Memory)
    subgraph Cable Segment
        B -- Electrical Transit Signals --> C
    end
    NVM1 --- Preset Coeffs
    NVM2 --- Preset Coeffs

4. Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 4.1: AI-Optimized Adaptive Preset Pre-Equalization with Edge-Based Inference

  • Enabling Description: The DRR devices (202, 204) incorporate a dedicated, ultra-low-power AI inference engine (e.g., a TinyML accelerator) alongside the embedded controller (228). The nonvolatile memories (207) not only store the initial factory-preset transmit filter coefficients but also multiple alternative coefficient profiles, or a compressed neural network model. The AI engine continuously monitors real-time channel characteristics (e.g., bit error rate, signal margin, eye height) via the DRR's internal SerDes diagnostic features (from registers 208) and uses an inferencing model to dynamically select or fine-tune the most appropriate preset coefficient profile for current environmental conditions (temperature, aging) or application demands. This extends the concept of "preset" to a library of presets, intelligently chosen or adapted at the edge, rather than a single static set, while still maintaining the power-on advantage of pre-stored values.
sequenceDiagram
    participant Cable_Factory
    participant ATE
    participant DRR_AI
    participant Cable_Deployment
    participant Host_Device

    Cable_Factory->>ATE: Characterize Cable
    ATE->>DRR_AI: Store Multiple Preset Profiles (NVM)
    DRR_AI->>DRR_AI: Train Edge AI Model (Offline/Factory)
    Cable_Deployment->>DRR_AI: Power-On
    DRR_AI->>DRR_AI: Load Initial Preset Coeffs from NVM
    loop Real-time Operation
        DRR_AI->>DRR_AI: Monitor Channel (BER, Eye)
        DRR_AI->>DRR_AI: AI Inference (Select/Fine-tune Profile)
        DRR_AI->>DRR_AI: Apply Optimized Preset Coeffs to Tx Filter
    end
    DRR_AI<->>Host_Device: Data Streams

Derivative 4.2: Active Cable with Integrated IoT Sensors and Blockchain for Lifecycle Management

  • Enabling Description: The active electrical cable embeds an array of miniature IoT sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, bending radius, vibration accelerometers) along its length and within the connector bodies. A low-power microcontroller (part of MCU 206 or a dedicated sensor hub) periodically collects data from these sensors. This sensor data, along with critical DRR performance metrics (e.g., actual pre-equalization coefficients used, link training outcomes, error rates), is hashed and periodically appended to a distributed ledger on a private blockchain network accessible by authorized entities. The nonvolatile memory (207) within the DRR devices stores immutable hashes of the factory-programmed preset coefficient values and a unique cable ID, verifiable against the blockchain. This provides an auditable, tamper-evident record of the cable's manufacturing provenance, operational history, and ensures the integrity of its initial preset pre-equalization profile throughout its lifecycle, enhancing trustworthiness in critical infrastructure.
graph TD
    A[Cable Manufacturing] --> B(Store Factory Coeffs & Hash in DRR NVM)
    B --> C(Log Hash & Cable ID to Blockchain)
    subgraph Cable Operation
        D[DRR Device] -- Preset Coeffs --> NVM(Nonvolatile Memory)
        D -- Real-time Data --> E(IoT Sensors <br> (Temp, Bend, Vib))
        E --> F(Sensor Hub / MCU)
        F --> G(Collect & Hash Metrics <br> (Coeffs, BER, Sensor Data))
        G --> H(Append Hash to Blockchain)
    end
    C --- Blockchain[Blockchain Network]
    H --- Blockchain

5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 5.1: Graceful Degradation to "Basic Link" Mode with Reduced Pre-Equalization

  • Enabling Description: The DRR devices (202, 204) are designed to detect various failure modes, particularly related to the nonvolatile memory (207) containing the preset transmit filter coefficients (e.g., memory corruption, inaccessible partitions) or insufficient power supply for full DRR functionality. Upon detection of such a condition, or if a "low-power" or "safety" mode is commanded, the DRR device transitions to a "Basic Link" operational mode. In this mode, the transmit pre-equalization is either disabled entirely, or a pre-defined, minimal, generic set of "failsafe" coefficients (also stored in a separate, highly-redundant NVM segment) is loaded, supporting a reduced data rate (ee.g., 10Gbps instead of 100Gbps). This ensures that a communication link, albeit with limited performance, is maintained, preventing total link failure. An indicator (e.g., LED or management interface flag) signals the degraded mode to the host.
stateDiagram
    state "Power-Off" as Off
    state "Boot-Up" as Boot
    state "Full Performance Mode" as FullPerf
    state "Basic Link Mode" as BasicLink
    state "NVM Fault" as NVM_Fault
    state "Low Power Event" as Low_Power

    Off --> Boot : Power-On
    Boot --> FullPerf : NVM OK, Full Power, Load Preset Coeffs
    Boot --> BasicLink : NVM Fault OR Low Power, Load Failsafe Coeffs
    FullPerf --> BasicLink : Detect NVM Fault / Low Power Event
    FullPerf --> NVM_Fault : NVM Corruption Detected
    FullPerf --> Low_Power : Power Supply Dropout
    NVM_Fault --> BasicLink : Transition to Basic Link
    Low_Power --> BasicLink : Transition to Basic Link
    BasicLink --> FullPerf : Fault Cleared / Power Restored

Derivative 5.2: Self-Contained Diagnostic Loopback Mode for Isolated Debugging

  • Enabling Description: Each end connector (100, 101) incorporates a bypass switch (210) that, in a dedicated "Diagnostic Loopback Mode," electrically isolates its respective DRR device (202 or 204) from the host interface and simultaneously connects its center-facing transmitter outputs (set 222) directly to its center-facing receiver inputs (set 222) via on-paddle card traces. In this mode, the DRR device's embedded controller (228) can initiate internal pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) pattern generation and transmit it through its own pre-equalization filter (506), loop it back, and analyze the received signal with its receiver (400) without involving the main cable conductors or the remote DRR device. This allows for isolated verification of the preset transmit filter coefficients and overall SerDes functionality, enabling rapid diagnostics of a single connector/DRR unit even if the main cable or remote end is faulty, or if the NVM is suspected of storing incorrect coefficients. The results are stored in NVM (207) for later retrieval via the MCU (206) using a management interface.
graph TD
    A[DRR Device] --> B{Tx Filter 506}
    B -- CH_OUT --> C{Bypass Switch 210}
    C -- Loopback Trace --> D{Rx Filter 400}
    D -- CH_IN --> A
    A -- NVM Coeffs --> E[Nonvolatile Memory 207]
    A -- Internal PRBS Gen --> B
    A -- Internal Analyzer --> D
    C -- In Diagnostic Loopback Mode --> C

Generated 5/24/2026, 11:37:59 PM