Driver/receiver circuitry for enhanced PCI bus with differential signaling
First Claim
1. A system for supporting differential signalling circuitry in an enhanced PCI bus within a data processing system, the enhanced PCI bus comprising a plurality of differential signal conductor pairs, comprising:
- a system for providing each of the plurality of differential signal pairs over a first line and a second line, the first line having a front end and a back end, the second line having a front end and a back end;
a single-ended to differential driver for driving the first line and the second line with a small voltage change of equal amounts in opposite direction to change logic states;
a differential to single-ended receiver for sensing a voltage change between the first line and the second line; and
a termination network coupled to the first line and second line for terminating the first line and the second line;
wherein the differential to single-ended receiver and the single-ended to differential driver allow the enhanced PCI bus to be compatible with a legacy PCI bus.
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Abstract
A system of supporting differential signalling circuitry in an enhanced PCI bus within a data processing system is disclosed The enhanced PCI bus comprises a plurality of differential signal conductor pairs. A system and method in accordance with the present invention comprises a system for providing each of the plurality of differential signal pairs over a first line and a second line, the first line having a front end and a back end, the second line having a front end and a back end. The system and method includes a differential driver for driving the first line and the second line with a small voltage change of equal amounts in opposite direction to change logic states, a receiver for sensing a voltage change between the first line and the second line and a termination network coupled to the first line and second line for terminating the first line and the second line. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention provides for higher frequency capability and lower noise to signal ratio, thereby allowing the enhenced PCI bus to be compatible with a legacy PCI bus.
61 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for supporting differential signalling circuitry in an enhanced PCI bus within a data processing system, the enhanced PCI bus comprising a plurality of differential signal conductor pairs, comprising:
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a system for providing each of the plurality of differential signal pairs over a first line and a second line, the first line having a front end and a back end, the second line having a front end and a back end; a single-ended to differential driver for driving the first line and the second line with a small voltage change of equal amounts in opposite direction to change logic states; a differential to single-ended receiver for sensing a voltage change between the first line and the second line; and a termination network coupled to the first line and second line for terminating the first line and the second line; wherein the differential to single-ended receiver and the single-ended to differential driver allow the enhanced PCI bus to be compatible with a legacy PCI bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for supporting differential signalling circuitry in an enhanced PCI bus within a data processing system, the enhanced PCI bus comprising a plurality of differential signal conductor pairs, comprising:
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providing each of the plurality of differential signal pairs over a first line and a second line, the first line having a front end and a back end, the second line having a front end and a back end; providing a single-ended to differential driver for driving the first line and the second line with a small voltage change of equal amounts in opposite direction to change logic states; providing a differential to single-ended receiver for sensing a voltage change between the first line and the second line; and providing a termination network coupled to the first line and second line for terminating the first line and the second line; wherein the differential to single-ended receiver and the single-ended to differential driver allow the enhanced PCI bus to be compatible with a legacy PCI bus. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification