Multiple-input, on-chip oscilloscope

Abstract

An integrated circuit that includes a receive data path is described. The receive data path: equalizes a received analog signal, converts the resulting equalized analog signal to digital data values based on a clock signal, and recovers the clock signal in the digital data values. The integrated circuit also includes an on-chip oscilloscope. The oscilloscope includes: two comparators, a phase rotator that outputs an oscilloscope clock signal whose phase can be varied relative to that of the recovered clock signal, and an offset circuit that outputs a voltage offset. Based on the voltage offset and the oscilloscope clock signal, the comparators output digital values which can be used to determine eye patterns that correspond to the analog signal before and after equalization. The eye patterns can then be correlated with an error rate associated with the received data.