Apparatus and method for automatic polarity swap in a communications system
First Claim
1. A method of processing a data signal, comprising:
- receiving a differential data signal;
determining if said differential data signal represents a valid data word; and
if said differential data signal does not represent a valid data word, then inverting said differential data signal, producing an inverted differential data signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic polarity swap is implemented in a communications system. Two or more transceivers having differential inputs and outputs are coupled together through an interface, such as a backplane to form a communications system. In such a configuration, it is possible to cross-connect the differential data lines or signals at the interface, which will cause invalid data words to received at the second transceiver. Accordingly, the present invention includes an error check and correction module that detects invalid data words after parallel-to-serial conversion. More specifically, an error check determines if the parallel differential signal represents a valid data word. This can be done, for example, by storing and comparing valid data words in a memory such as RAM. If the received data word is valid, then no corrective action is taken. However, if the received data word is invalid, then the parallel differential signal is inverted using a logic circuit, which will correct the error if it is due to cross-connection of the differential lines at the interface or anywhere else.
45 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of processing a data signal, comprising:
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receiving a differential data signal;
determining if said differential data signal represents a valid data word; and
if said differential data signal does not represent a valid data word, then inverting said differential data signal, producing an inverted differential data signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of processing a data signal, comprising:
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receiving a differential data signal having a first component and a second component;
comparing a data word represented by said differential data signal with one or more valid data words;
if said data word of said differential data signal is not consistent with at least one of said one or more valid data words, then inverting said first component and said second component of said differential data signal, producing an inverted differential data signal. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A transceiver, comprising:
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a receiver input for receiving a serial data signal;
a serial-to-parallel converter coupled to an output of said receiver input;
an error check for determining if a differential output of said serial-to-parallel converter represents a valid data word; and
a logic circuit for inverting said differential output if said differential output does not represent a valid data word. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A communications system, comprising:
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a first transceiver;
a second transceiver; and
an interface coupled between said first transceiver and said second transceiver, said interface coupling a differential output of said first transceiver to a differential input of said second transceiver;
said second transceiver including a means for correcting said differential input of said second transceiver to compensating for a cross-connection of said differential output of said first transceiver to said differential input of said second transceiver at said interface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification