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

• US 6,992,508 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Chow, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Anh Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/877,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20040233190A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 326 82- 83, 326/86, 326/90
• US Class Current: 326/86
• 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. A video display monitor system, comprising:

a video display monitor;

row drivers, electrically coupled to the video display monitor, for displaying image information across rows of the video display monitor;

column drivers, electrically coupled to the video display monitor, for displaying image information across columns of the video display monitor;

a timing controller, electrically coupled to the row drivers and the column drivers, for delivering image data to the row and column drivers;

a display link receiver, electrically coupled to the timing controller, for receiving image data in differential form and converting the image data to a single-ended form;

a display link driver, electrically coupled to the display link receiver, the display link driver 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; and

a graphics controller, electrically coupled to the display link driver, for generating image data.

2. The video display monitor system as defined in claim 1, wherein the row drivers comprise:

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.

3. The video display monitor system as defined in claim 1, wherein the column drivers comprise:

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.

4. The video display monitor system as defined in claim 1, wherein the video display monitor comprises an LCD flat panel monitor.

5. The video display monitor system as defined in claim 1, wherein the video display monitor comprises a cathode ray tube (CRT).