Patent · US Expired

Selectable low power signal line and method of operation

US5939923A · kind A · utility

2Cited by
5References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 17, 1997
Grant dateAug 17, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 17, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K19/018585
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A selectable low power signal line (10) is provided that includes a driver circuit (12) connected to receive an input signal for transmission and to receive a mode select signal (SELECT). The driver circuit (12) has a low power mode and a full power mode selectable responsive to the mode select signal (SELECT). The driver circuit (12) is operable, when in the full power mode, to drive an output signal at a full swing of the input signal. When in the low power mode, the driver circuit (12) is operable to drive the output signal at a fraction of the full swing of the input signal. A physical signal line (14) is connected to receive the output signal of the driver circuit (12) and to carry the output signal. A receiver circuit (16) is connected to receive the signal on the physical signal line (14) and is also connected to receive the mode select signal (SELECT). The receiver circuit (16) has a low power and full power mode selectable responsive to the mode select signal (SELECT). The receiver circuit (16) is operable, when in the full power mode, to drive an output signal at a full swing of the signal on the physical signal line (14). When in the low power mode, the receiver circuit …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.