Versatile RSDS-LVDS-miniLVDS-BLVDS differential signal interface circuit

• US 6,836,149 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2002
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Chow, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Anh Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/121,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20030193350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 326/37, 326/82, 326/83, 326/86, 326/90, 327/108, 327/543
• US Class Current: 326/83
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 19/018585 programmable
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/0272 Arrangements for coupling to multiple lines, e.g. for differential transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/028 Arrangements specific to the transmitter end
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones

Abstract

An electronic circuit includes a selectively configurable differential signal interface and a selection control input for selecting one of a plurality of standard differential signal interfaces for configuration of the differential signal interface. The selection control input selects one of the following plurality of standard differential signal interfaces: reduced swing differential signaling (RSDS), low voltage differential signaling (LVDS), mini low voltage differential signaling (mini-LVDS), and bussed low voltage differential signaling (BLVDS), for configuration of the differential signal interface. The electronic circuit may also include a plurality of selectable voltage sources (611, 612, 613) and a plurality of selectable current sources (614, 615, 616, 617), for selecting, in response to an input signal at the selection control input, at least one of an operating D.C. voltage, a standard differential signal voltage, and a standard differential signal current for the differential signal interface.

Claims

1. An electronic circuit comprising:

a selectively configurable differential signal interface;

a selection control input for selecting one of a plurality of standard differential signal interfaces for configuration of the selectively configurable differential signal interface; and

a plurality of selectable voltage sources and a plurality of selectable current sources, electrically coupled to the selection control input and to the selectively configurable differential signal interface, for selecting, in response to an input signal at the selection control input, at least one of an operating D.C. voltage, a standard differential signal voltage, and a standard differential signal current for the selectively configurable differential signal interface.

2. An electronic circuit comprising:

a selectively configurable differential signal interface;

a selection control input for selecting one of a plurality of standard differential signal interfaces for configuration of the selectively configurable differential signal interface; and

a selectable voltage control circuit, electrically coupled to the selection control input and to the selectively configurable differential sign interface, for selecting at least one of an operating D.C. voltage and a standard differential signal voltage for the selectively configurable differential signal interface.

3. The electronic circuit of claim 2, wherein the at least one of an operating D.C. voltage and a standard differential signal voltage is selectable for configuring the selectively configurable differential sign interface from the following plurality of standard differential signal interfaces:

reduced swing differential signaling (RSDS),

low voltage differential signaling (LVDS),

mini low voltage differential signaling (mini-LVDS), and

bussed low voltage differential signaling (BLVDS).

4. The electronic circuit of claim 2, further comprising:

a selectable current control circuit, electrically coupled to the selection control input and to the selectively configurable differential signal interface, for selecting at least one standard differential signal current for the selectively configurable differential signal interface.

5. An electronic circuit comprising:

at least two control lines for selecting a standard differential interface from at least two choices;

at least two selectable voltage sources, electrically coupled to the control lines, for supplying a voltage reference according to a selected standard differential interface;

at least two selectable current mirrors, electrically coupled to the control lines, for supplying current according to a selected standard differential interface;

an operational amplifier, electrically coupled to the at least two selectable current mirrors and the at least two selectable voltage sources, for comparing the voltage reference of one of the at least two selectable voltage sources to a second voltage; and

a current steering circuit, electrically coupled to the operational amplifier and the at least two selectable current mirrors, for receiving a first and second input signals and providing a pair of differential signals in accordance with selected standard differential interface.

6. The electronic circuit of claim 5, wherein the standard differential interface is any one of the following plurality of standard differential signal interfaces:

reduced swing differential signaling (RSDS), low voltage differential signaling (LVDS), mini low voltage differential signaling (mini-LVDS), and bussed low voltage differential signaling (BLVDS).

7. A circuit supporting substrate comprising an electronic line driver circuit comprising:

at least two control lines for selecting a standard differential interface from at least two choices;

at least two selectable voltage sources, electrically coupled to the control lines, for supplying a voltage reference according to a standard differential interface;

at least two selectable current mirrors, electrically coupled to the control lines, for supplying current according to a standard differential interface;

an operational amplifier, electrically coupled to the at least two selectable current mirrors and the at least two selectable voltage sources, for comparing the voltage reference of one of the at least two selectable voltage sources to a second voltage; and

a current steering circuit, electrically coupled to the operational amplifier and the at least two selectable current mirrors, for receiving a first and second input signals and providing a pair of differential signals in accordance with a selected standard differential interface.

8. The circuit supporting substrate of claim 7, wherein the standard differential interface is selected from any one of the following:

reduced swing differential signaling (RSDS),

low voltage differential signaling (LVDS),

mini low voltage differential signaling (mini-LVDS), and

bussed low voltage differential signaling (BLVDS).