Low-power low-voltage multi-level variable-resistor line driver
US7221196B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K2217/0036
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A low-power multi-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) line driver using variable resistors is disclosed for transmitting digital data over controlled-impedance transmission lines. This invention discloses the design of a multi-level PAM driver for high-speed wireline communication, with up to four times improvement in power efficiency over conventional drivers. Two key requirements for high-speed line drivers are first generating the target voltage level onto the controlled-impedance line, and second being impedance matched to the line itself to eliminate signal reflections from the transmitter back to the line. The driver in accordance with the present invention satisfies both of these requirements at very high power efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.