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Serial communications interface that supports multiple interface standards

  • US 5,737,364 A
  • Filed: 02/18/1994
  • Issued: 04/07/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A DTE communications system coupled between a DTE and a DCE for supporting a plurality of interface communications standards, said DTE communications system comprising:

  • a DTE interface having a first connector and interface electronics comprising;

    at least two receivers, each of said at least two receivers having at least one input terminal in electrical communication with said first connector and each of said at least two receivers having an output terminal; and

    a selection circuit comprising a multiplexer having a control terminal, an output terminal coupled to said DTE, a first input terminal in electrical communication with said output terminal of one of said at least two receivers, and a second input terminal in electrical communication with said output terminal of the other of said at least two receivers and a comparator having a first input coupled to said first connector, a second input and an output coupled to said control terminal of said multiplexer and at which a selection signal is provided; and

    a DTE interface cable assembly comprising a second connector for mating with said first connector, and an identification device in electrical communication with said second connector,said identification device operative to provide a signal to said first input of said comparator to identify which of said plurality of interface standards is supported by said DTE interface cable assembly, wherein said selection signal is generated by said comparator in response to said signal provided by said identification device and coupled to said first input of said comparator as a result of the mating of said first and second connectors,said selection circuit operative to electrically connect the output terminal of a selected one of said at least two receivers to said output terminal of said multiplexer in response to said selection signal applied to said control terminal of said multiplexer.

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