Differential current mode driver
US5818269A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/6872
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A current mode driver capable of driving both 10 Base-T signalling and 100 Base-T signalling in a Local Area Network (LAN) includes two or four current sources. In a first embodiment, a differential signal generator drives four current sources. The generator outputs four signals, one of which is received by each current source. Using these signals, two of the current sources push or pull current across the load in one direction, while the other two current sources push or pull current across the load in the other direction, such that a full differential signal is generated across the load. In another embodiment, a signal generator drives two current sources which drive into the load one at a time. Two switches provide either high resistance or low resistance during half of a signal cycle such that current is pulled through the load in one direction, and prevented from flowing through the load in the other direction. When one current source turns on upon receipt of an input signal, one switch provides low resistance such that when the current source drives current into the load a voltage is generated across the load. At the same time, the other switch provides high resistance such t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.