Communication driver

• US 7,280,060 B1
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Marvell International Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Sutardja, Sehat, Roo, Pierte
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, HOWARD L
• Application Number:
  US10/972,143
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 341/143, 341/144, 341/153, 375/259, 375/296, 375/297
• US Class Current: 341/144
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 1/661 Improving the reconstruction of the analogue output signal beyond the resolution of the digital input signal, e.g. by interpolation, by curve-fitting, by smoothing

Abstract

An Ethernet controller includes a plurality of sets of digital-to-analog converters (DACs). Each DAC receives an input signal and provides an output signal. Each of the plurality of sets of DACs includes a plurality of sets of replica current circuits. Each DAC includes current sources. Each current source includes a respective control input. The output signal provided by each DAC includes a sum of outputs of the current sources. Each DAC also includes delay elements. An input of a first one of the delay elements receives the input signal. An mth one of the delay elements includes an input in communication with an m-1th one of the delay elements. An output of one of the delay elements controls a corresponding control input of one of the current sources. A sum of each output signal from a respective one of the plurality of sets of DACs forms an accumulated output signal.

Claims

1. A gigabit Ethernet controller, comprising:

sixteen sets of digital-to-analog converters (DACs),

wherein the sixteen sets of DACs are arranged in parallel,

wherein each DAC within a set of DACs is configured to receive an input signal and to provide an output signal,

wherein each of the sixteen sets of DACs comprises a corresponding replica current circuit and

wherein each of the sixteen sets of DACs comprises;

N current sources arranged in parallel,

wherein each of the N current sources includes a respective control input, and

wherein the output signal provided by each DAC comprises a sum of outputs of the N current sources; and

M delay elements,

wherein an input of a first one of the M delay elements receives the input signal,

wherein an mth one of the M delay elements includes an input in communication with an m−

1th one of the M delay elements,

wherein an output of one of the M delay elements controls a corresponding control input of one of the N current sources, and

wherein a sum of each output signal from a respective one of the sixteen sets of DACs forms an accumulated output signal.

2. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, comprising:

a first sub-circuit including a first input configured to receive a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components, a second input configured to receive a differential replica transmission signal, and an output configured to provide a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

a second sub-circuit configured to produce first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

a third sub-circuit, coupled to the first and second sub-circuits, configured to produce the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

3. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, wherein each of the replica current circuits comprises N replica current sources.

4. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 3, wherein outputs of the N replica current sources are summed together.

5. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, wherein outputs of the replica current circuits are summed together.

6. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 3, wherein outputs of the N replica current sources are summed to form a replica output signal.

7. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, wherein the gigabit Ethernet controller is arranged to receive a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the accumulated output signal.

8. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 7, comprising a replica circuit,

wherein output of the replica circuit is combined with the composite signal.

9. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, wherein N is equal to ten.

10. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, comprising:

a summer for summing each output signal from the respective one of the sixteen sets of DACs.

11. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, wherein each of the N current sources of each DAC is arranged in a differential configuration.

12. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, wherein the M delay elements of each DAC comprise at least one delay lock loop.

13. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a Class B signal.

14. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 1, wherein a first set of the sixteen sets of DACs is configured to produce a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the DACs of the first set, and configured to produce a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the DACs of the first set.

15. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 14, wherein the first set comprises five of the sixteen sets of DACS.

16. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 14, wherein a second set of the sixteen sets of DACs is configured to produce a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the DACs of the second set, and configured to produce a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the DACs of the second set.

17. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 16, wherein the second set comprises five of the sixteen sets of DACs.

18. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 16, wherein a difference signal is produced comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

19. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 18, wherein the difference signal comprises a receive signal.

20. A gigabit Ethernet controller, comprising:

sixteen sets of means for converting digital-to-analog signals,

wherein the sixteen sets of digital-to-analog signal converting means are arranged in parallel,

wherein each digital-to-analog signal converting means within a set of digital-to-analog signal converting means is configured to receive an input signal and to provide an output signal,

wherein each of the sixteen sets of digital-to-analog signal converting means comprises a corresponding replica current means, and

wherein each of the sixteen sets of digital-to-analog signal converting means comprises;

N means for generating current arranged in parallel,

wherein each of the N current generating means includes a respective means for control inputting, and

wherein the output signal provided by each digital-to-analog signal converting means comprises a sum of outputs of the N current generating means; and

M means for delaying signals,

wherein a means for inputting of a first one of the M signal delaying means receives the input signal,

wherein an mth one of the M signal delaying means includes means for inputting in communication with an m−

1th one of the M signal delaying means,

wherein a means for outputting of one of the M signal delaying means controls a corresponding control inputting means of one of the N current generating means, and

wherein a sum of each output signal from a respective one of the sixteen sets of digital-to-analog signal converting means forms an accumulated output signal.

21. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, comprising:

a first circuit means including a first input means configured to receive a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components, a second input means configured to receive a differential replica transmission signal, and an output means configured to provide a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

a second circuit means configured to produce first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

a third circuit means, coupled to the first and second circuit means, configured to produce the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

22. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, wherein each of the replica current means comprises N means for generating a replica current.

23. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 22, wherein outputs of the N replica current generating means are summed together.

24. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, wherein outputs of the replica current means are summed together.

25. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 22, wherein outputs of the N replica current generating means are summed to form a replica output signal.

26. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, wherein the gigabit Ethernet controller is arranged to receive a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the accumulated output signal.

27. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 26, comprising a replica means,

wherein output of the replica means is combined with the composite signal.

28. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, wherein N is equal to ten.

29. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, comprising:

means for summing each output signal from the respective one of the sixteen sets of digital-to-analog signal converting means.

30. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, wherein each of the N current generating means of each digital-to-analog signal converting means is arranged in a differential configuration.

31. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, wherein the M signal delaying means of each digital-to-analog signal converting means comprise at least one delay lock loop means.

32. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a Class B signal.

33. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 20, wherein a first set of the sixteen sets of digital-to-analog signal converting means is configured to produce a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the digital-to-analog signal converting means of the first set, and configured to produce a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the digital-to-analog signal converting means of the first set.

34. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 33, wherein the first set comprises five of the sixteen sets of digital-to-analog signal converting means.

35. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 33, wherein a second set of the sixteen sets of digital-to-analog signal converting means is configured to produce a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the digital-to-analog signal converting means of the second set, and configured to produce a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the digital-to-analog signal converting means of the second set.

36. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 35, wherein the second set comprises five of the sixteen sets of digital-to-analog signal converting means.

37. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 35, wherein a difference signal is produced comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

38. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 37, wherein the difference signal comprises a receive signal.

39. A gigabit Ethernet controller, comprising:

sixteen sets of transmitters,

wherein the sixteen sets of transmitters are arranged in parallel,

wherein each transmitter within a set of transmitters is configured to receive an input signal and to provide an output signal,

wherein each of the sixteen sets of transmitters comprises a corresponding replica current circuit, and

wherein each transmitter comprises;

N current sources arranged in parallel,

wherein each of the N current sources includes a respective control input, and

wherein the output signal provided by each transmitter comprises a sum of outputs of the N current sources; and

M delay elements,

wherein an input of a first one of the M delay elements receives the input signal,

wherein an mth one of the M delay elements includes an input in communication with an m−

1th one of the M delay elements,

wherein an output of one of the M delay elements controls a corresponding control input of one of the N current sources, and

wherein a sum of each output signal from a respective one of the sixteen sets of transmitters forms an accumulated output signal.

40. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, comprising:

a first sub-circuit including a first input configured to receive a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components, a second input configured to receive a differential replica transmission signal, and an output configured to provide a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

a second sub-circuit configured to produce first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

a third sub-circuit, coupled 10 the first and second sub-circuits, configured to produce the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

41. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, wherein each of the replica current circuits comprises N replica current sources.

42. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 41, wherein outputs of the N replica current sources are summed together.

43. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, wherein outputs of the replica current circuits are summed together.

44. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 41, wherein outputs of the N replica current sources are summed to form a replica output signal.

45. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, wherein the gigabit Ethernet controller is arranged to receive a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the accumulated output signal.

46. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 45, comprising a replica circuit,

wherein output of the replica circuit is combined with the composite signal.

47. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, wherein N is equal to ten.

48. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, comprising:

a summer for summing each output signal from the respective one of the sixteen sets of transmitters.

49. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, wherein each of the N current sources of each transmitter is arranged in a differential configuration.

50. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, wherein the M delay elements of each transmitter comprise at least one delay lock loop.

51. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a Class B signal.

52. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 39, wherein a first set of the sixteen sets of transmitters is configured to produce a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the transmitters of the first set, and configured to produce a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the transmitters of the first set.

53. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 52, wherein the first set comprises five of the sixteen sets of transmitters.

54. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 52, wherein a second set of the sixteen sets of transmitters is configured to produce a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the transmitters of the second set, and configured to produce a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the transmitters of the second set.

55. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 54, wherein the second set comprises five of the sixteen sets of transmitters.

56. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 54, wherein a difference signal is produced comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

57. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 56, wherein the difference signal comprises a receive signal.

58. A gigabit Ethernet controller, comprising:

sixteen sets of means for transmitting signals,

wherein the sixteen sets of signal transmitting means are arranged in parallel,

wherein each signal transmitting means within a set of signal transmitting means is configured to receive an input signal and to provide an output signal,

wherein each of the sixteen sets of signal transmitting means comprises a corresponding replica current means, and

wherein each signal transmitting means comprises;

N means for generating current arranged in parallel,

wherein each of the N current generating means includes a respective means for control inputting, and

wherein the output signal provided by each signal transmitting means comprises a sum of outputs of the N current generating means; and

M means for delaying signals,

wherein a means for inputting of a first one of the M signal delaying means receives the input signal,

wherein an mth one of the M signal delaying means includes means for inputting in communication with an m−

1th one of the M signal delaying means,

wherein means for outputting of one of the M signal delaying means controls a corresponding control inputting means of one of the N current generating means, and

wherein a sum of each output signal from a respective one of the sixteen sets of signal transmitting means forms an accumulated output signal.

59. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, comprising:

a first circuit means including a first input means configured to receive a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components, a second input means configured to receive a differential replica transmission signal, and an output means configured to provide a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

a second circuit means configured to produce first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

a third circuit means, coupled to the first and second circuit means, configured to produce the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

60. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, wherein each of the replica current means comprises N means for generating a replica current.

61. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 60, wherein outputs of the N replica current generating means are summed together.

62. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, wherein outputs each of the replica current means are summed together.

63. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 60, wherein outputs of the N replica current generating means are summed to form a replica output signal.

64. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, wherein the gigabit Ethernet controller is arranged to receive a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the accumulated output signal.

65. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 64, comprising a replica means,

wherein output of the replica means is combined with the composite signal.

66. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, wherein N is equal to ten.

67. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, comprising:

means for summing each output signal from the respective one of the sixteen sets of signal transmitting means.

68. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, wherein each of the N current generating means of each signal transmitting means is arranged in a differential configuration.

69. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, wherein the M signal delaying means of each signal transmitting means comprise at least one delay lock loop means.

70. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a Class B signal.

71. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 58, wherein a first set of the sixteen sets of signal transmitting means is configured to produce a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the signal transmitting means of the first set, and configured to produce a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the signal transmitting means of the first set.

72. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 71, wherein the first set comprises five of the sixteen sets of signal transmitting means.

73. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 71, wherein a second set of the sixteen sets of signal transmitting means is configured to produce a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the signal transmitting means of the second set, and configured to produce a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the signal transmitting means of the second set.

74. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 73, wherein the second set comprises five of the sixteen sets of signal transmitting means.

75. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 73, wherein a difference signal is produced comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

76. The gigabit Ethernet controller of claim 75, wherein the difference signal comprises a receive signal.

77. A communication method, comprising the steps of:

a.) receiving sixteen input signals;

b.) providing sixteen transmit signal components in accordance with the sixteen input signals,

wherein for each transmit signal component, step (b) comprises the steps of;

c.) supplying N sources of current;

d.) controlling the supply of current from each of the N sources of current;

e.) delaying current from M of the N sources of current,

wherein an input of a first one of the M delaying steps receives an input signal,

wherein an input of the mth one of the M delaying steps receives a signal from an m−

1th one of the M delaying steps, and

wherein an output of one of the M delaying steps controls a corresponding one of the N sources of current; and

f.) summing the delayed currents;

g.) providing sixteen replica current signals in accordance with the sixteen input signals; and

h.) combining the sixteen transmit signal components to produce a multilevel output signal.

78. The method of claim 77, comprising the steps of:

i.) receiving a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components;

j.) receiving a differential replica transmission signal;

k.) providing a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

l.) producing first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

m.) generating the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein for each replica current signal, step (h) comprises the step of:

i.) supplying N sources of replica current.

80. The method of claim 79, comprising the step of:

j.) summing outputs of the N sources of replica current.

81. The method of claim 77, comprising the step of:

k.) summing the sixteen replica current signals.

82. The method of claim 79, comprising the step of:

j.) summing outputs of the N sources of replica current to form a replica output signal.

83. The method of claim 77, comprising the step of:

i.) receiving a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the multi-level output signal.

84. The method of claim 83, comprising the step of:

j.) combining a replica output signal with the composite signal.

85. The method of claim 77, wherein N is equal to ten.

86. The method of claim 77, wherein the output signal comprises a Class B signal.

87. The method of claim 77, comprising the steps of:

i.) receiving a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components in accordance with the sixteen input signals; and

j.) receiving a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components in accordance with the sixteen input signals.

88. The method of claim 87, comprising the steps of:

k.) receiving a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components in accordance with the sixteen input signals; and

l.) receiving a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components in accordance with the sixteen input signals.

89. The method of claim 88, comprising the step of:

m.) producing a difference signal comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the difference signal comprises a receive signal.

91. A communication circuit, comprising:

a plurality of sets of digital-to-analog converters (DACs),

wherein the plurality of sets of DACs are arranged in parallel,

wherein each DAC within a set of DACs is configured to receive an input signal and to provide an output signal,

wherein each of the plurality of sets of DACs comprises a corresponding replica current circuit, and

wherein each DAC comprises;

N current sources arranged in parallel,

wherein each of the N current sources includes a respective control input, and

wherein the output signal provided by each DAC comprises a sum of outputs of the N current sources; and

M delay elements,

wherein an mth one of the M delay elements includes an input in communication with an m−

1th one of the M delay elements,

wherein an output of one of the M delay elements controls a corresponding control input of one of the N current sources,

wherein the input of a first one of the M delay elements receives the input signal, and

wherein a sum of each output signal from a respective one of the plurality of sets of DACs forms an accumulated output signal.

92. The communication circuit of claim 91, comprising:

a first sub-circuit including a first input configured to receive a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components, a second input configured to receive a differential replica transmission signal, and an output configured to provide a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

a second sub-circuit configured to produce first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

a third sub-circuit, coupled to the first and second sub-circuits, configured to produce the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

93. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein each of the replica current circuits comprises N replica current sources.

94. The communication circuit of claim 93, wherein outputs of the N replica current sources are summed together.

95. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein outputs of the replica current circuits are summed together.

96. The communication circuit of claim 93, wherein outputs of the N replica current sources are summed to form a replica output signal.

97. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein the communication circuit is arranged to receive a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the accumulated output signal.

98. The communication circuit of claim 97, comprising a replica circuit,

wherein output of the replica circuit is combined with the composite signal.

99. The communication circuit of claim 91, comprising:

a summer for summing each output signal from the respective one of the plurality of sets of DACs.

100. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein the plurality of sets of DACs comprises K sets of DACs, and

wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a multi-level output signal.

101. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein each of the N current sources of each DAC is arranged in a differential configuration.

102. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein the M delay elements of each DAC comprise at least one delay lock loop.

103. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a Class B signal.

104. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein a first set of the plurality of sets of DACs is configured to produce a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the DACs of the first set, and configured to produce a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the DACs of the first set.

105. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein a second set of the plurality of sets of DACs is configured to produce a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the DACs of the second set, and configured to produce a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the DACs of the second set.

106. The communication circuit of claim 105, wherein a differential difference signal is produced comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

107. The communication circuit of claim 106, wherein the differential difference signal comprises a receive signal.

108. The communication circuit of claim 91, wherein the communication circuit operates at up to gigabit speeds.

109. A communication circuit, comprising:

a plurality of sets of digital-to-analog converter (DAC) means,

wherein the plurality of sets of DAC means are arranged in parallel,

wherein each DAC means within a set of DAC means is configured to receive an input signal and to provide an output signal,

wherein each of the plurality of sets of DAC means comprises a corresponding replica current means, and

wherein each DAC means comprises;

N current source means arranged in parallel,

wherein each of the N current source means includes a respective means for control inputting, and

wherein the output signal provided by each DAC means comprises a sum of outputs of the N current source means; and

M delay means,

wherein an mth one of the M delay means includes a means for inputting in communication with an m−

1th one of the M delay means,

wherein means for outputting of one of the M delay means controls a corresponding control inputting means of one of the N current source means, and

wherein a sum of each output signal from a respective one of the plurality of sets of DAC means forms an accumulated output signal.

110. The communication circuit of claim 109, comprising:

a first circuit means including a first input means configured to receive a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components, a second input means configured to receive a differential replica transmission signal, and an output means configured to provide a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

a second circuit means configured to produce first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

a third circuit means, coupled to the first and second circuit means, configured to produce the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

111. The communication circuit of claim 109, wherein each of the replica current means comprises N means for generating a replica current.

112. The communication circuit of claim 111, wherein outputs of the N replica current generating means are summed together.

113. The communication circuit of claim 109, wherein outputs of replica current means are summed together.

114. The communication circuit of claim 111, wherein outputs of the N replica current generating means are summed to form a replica output signal.

115. The communication circuit of claim 109, wherein the communication circuit is arranged to receive a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the accumulated output signal.

116. The communication circuit of claim 115, comprising a replica means,

wherein output of the replica means is combined with the composite signal.

117. The communication circuit of claim 109, comprising:

means for summing each output signal from the respective one of the plurality of sets of DAC means.

118. The communication circuit of claim 109, wherein the plurality of sets of DAC means comprises K sets of DAC means, and

wherein the accumulated signal comprises a multi-level output signal.

119. The communication circuit of claim 109, wherein each of the N current source means of each DAC means is arranged in a differential configuration.

120. The communication circuit of claim 109, wherein the M delay means of each DAC means comprise at least one delay lock loop means.

121. The communication circuit of claim 109, wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a Class B signal.

122. The communication circuit of claim 109, wherein a first set of the plurality of sets of DAC means is configured to produce a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the DAC means of the first set, and configured to produce a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the DAC means of the first set.

123. The communication circuit of claim 122, wherein a second set of the plurality of sets of DAC means is configured to produce a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the DAC means of the second set, and configured to produce a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the DAC means of the second set.

124. The communication circuit of claim 123, wherein a differential difference signal is produced comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

125. The communication circuit of claim 124, wherein the differential difference signal comprises a receive signal.

126. The communication circuit of claim 109, wherein the communication circuit operates at up to gigabit speeds.

127. An Ethernet controller, comprising:

a plurality of sets of transmitters,

wherein the plurality of sets of transmitters are arranged in parallel,

wherein each transmitter within a set of transmitters is configured to receive an input signal and to provide an output signal,

wherein each of the plurality of sets of transmitters comprises a corresponding replica current circuit, and

wherein each transmitter comprises;

N current sources arranged in parallel,

wherein each of the N current sources includes a respective control input, and

wherein the output signal provided by each transmitter comprises a sum of outputs of the N current sources; and

M delay elements,

wherein an mth one of the M delay elements includes an input in communication with an m−

1th one of the M delay elements,

wherein an output of one of the M delay elements controls a corresponding control input of one of the N current sources,

wherein an input of a first one of the M delay elements receives the input signal, and

wherein a sum of each output signal from a respective one of the plurality of sets of transmitters forms an accumulated output signal.

128. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, comprising:

a first sub-circuit including a first input configured to receive a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components, a second input configured to receive a differential replica transmission signal, and an output configured to provide a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

a second sub-circuit configured to produce first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

a third sub-circuit, coupled to the first and second sub-circuits, configured to produce the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

129. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, wherein each of the replica current circuits comprises N replica current sources.

130. The Ethernet controller of claim 129, wherein outputs of the N replica current sources are summed together.

131. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, wherein outputs of the replica current circuits are summed together.

132. The Ethernet controller of claim 129, wherein outputs of the N replica current sources are summed to form a replica output signal.

133. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, wherein the communication circuit is arranged to receive a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the accumulated output signal.

134. The Ethernet controller of claim 133, comprising a replica circuit,

wherein output of the replica circuit is combined with the composite signal.

135. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, comprising:

a summer for summing each output signal from the respective one of the plurality of sets of transmitters.

136. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, wherein the plurality of sets of transmitters comprises K sets of transmitters, and

wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a multi-level output signal.

137. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, wherein each of the N current sources of each transmitter is arranged in a differential configuration.

138. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, wherein the M delay elements of each transmitter comprise at least one delay lock loop.

139. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a Class B signal.

140. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, wherein a first set of the plurality of sets of transmitters is configured to produce a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the transmitters of the first set, and configured to produce a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the transmitters of the first set.

141. The Ethernet controller of claim 140, wherein a second set of the plurality of sets of transmitters is configured to produce a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the transmitters of the second set, and configured to produce a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the transmitters of the second set.

142. The Ethernet controller of claim 141, wherein a differential difference signal is produced comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

143. The Ethernet controller of claim 142, wherein the differential difference signal comprises a receive signal.

144. The Ethernet controller of claim 127, wherein the Ethernet controller operates at up to gigabit speeds.

145. An Ethernet controller, comprising:

a plurality of sets of transmitting means,

wherein the plurality of sets of transmitting means are arranged in parallel,

wherein each transmitting means within a set of transmitting means is configured to receive an input signal and to provide an output signal,

wherein each of the plurality of sets of transmitting means comprises a corresponding replica current means, and

wherein each transmitting means comprises;

N current source means arranged in parallel,

wherein each of the N current source means includes a respective means for control inputting, and

wherein the output signal provided by each transmitting means comprises a sum of outputs of the N current source means; and

M delay means,

wherein an mth one of the M delay means includes a means for inputting in communication with an m−

1th one of the M delay means,

wherein means for outputting of one of the M delay means controls a corresponding control inputting means of one of the N current source means, and

wherein a sum of each output signal from a respective one of the plurality of sets of transmitting means forms a transmit signal.

146. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, comprising:

a first circuit means including a first input means configured to receive a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components, a second input means configured to receive a differential replica transmission signal, and an output means configured to provide a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

a second circuit means configured to produce first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

a third circuit means, coupled to the first and second circuit means, configured to produce the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

147. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, wherein each of the replica current means comprises N means for generating a replica current.

148. The Ethernet controller of claim 147, wherein outputs of the N replica current generating means are summed together.

149. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, wherein outputs of the replica current means are summed together.

150. The Ethernet controller of claim 147, wherein outputs of the N replica current generating means are summed to form a replica output signal.

151. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, wherein the communication circuit is arranged to receive a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the accumulated output signal.

152. The Ethernet controller of claim 151, comprising a replica means,

wherein output of the replica means is combined with the composite signal.

153. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, comprising:

means for summing each output signal from the respective one of the plurality of sets of transmitting means.

154. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, wherein the plurality of sets of transmitting means comprises K sets of transmitting means, and

wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a multi-level output signal.

155. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, wherein each of the N current source means of each transmitting means is arranged in a differential configuration.

156. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, wherein the M delay means of each transmitting means comprise at least one delay lock loop means.

157. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, wherein the accumulated output signal comprises a Class B signal.

158. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, wherein a first set of the plurality of sets of transmitting means is configured to produce a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the transmitting means of the first set, and configured to produce a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the transmitting means of the first set.

159. The Ethernet controller of claim 158, wherein a second set of the plurality of sets of transmitting means is configured to produce a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components output by the transmitting means of the second set, and configured to produce a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components output by the transmitting means of the second set.

160. The Ethernet controller of claim 159, wherein a differential difference signal is produced comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

161. The Ethernet controller of claim 160, wherein the differential difference signal comprises a receive signal.

162. The Ethernet controller of claim 145, wherein the Ethernet controller operates at up to gigabit speeds.

163. A communication method, comprising the steps of:

a.) receiving K input signals;

b.) providing K corresponding transmit signal components in accordance with each of the K input signals,

wherein for each transmit signal component, step (b) comprises the steps of;

b1.) supplying N sources of current;

b2.) controlling the supply of current from each of the N sources of current;

b3.) delaying current from M of the N sources of current,

wherein an input of a first one of the M delaying steps receives an input signal,

wherein an input of the mth one of the M delaying steps receives a signal from an m−

1th one of the M delaying steps, and

wherein an output of one of the M delaying steps controls a corresponding one of the N sources of current; and

b4.) summing the delayed currents;

c.) providing K replica current signals in accordance with the K input signals; and

d.) combining the K corresponding transmit signal components to produce a multi-level output signal.

164. The communication method of claim 163, comprising the steps of:

e.) receiving a composite differential signal including first and second differential signal components;

f.) receiving a differential replica transmission signal;

g.) providing a differential receive signal comprising the composite differential signal minus the differential replica transmission signal;

h.) producing first and second single-ended replica transmission signals that together substantially comprise a replica of the first differential signal component of the composite differential signal; and

i.) generating the differential replica transmission signal from the first and second single-ended replica transmission signals.

165. The communication method of claim 163, wherein for each replica current signal, step (c) comprises the step of:

e.) supplying N sources of replica current.

166. The communication method of claim 165, comprising the step of:

f.) summing outputs of the N sources of replica current.

167. The communication method of claim 163, comprising the step of:

e.) summing the K replica current signals.

168. The communication method of claim 165, comprising the step of:

f.) summing outputs of the N sources of replica current to form a replica output signal.

169. The communication method of claim 163, comprising the step of:

e.) receiving a composite signal,

wherein the composite signal comprises a received far end signal and the multi-level output signal.

170. The communication method of claim 169, comprising the step of:

f.) combining a replica output signal with the composite signal.

171. The method of claim 163, wherein the output signal comprises a Class B signal.

172. The method of claim 163, comprising the steps of:

(e.) receiving a first polarity of a differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components in accordance with the K input signals; and

(f.) receiving a first polarity of a differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components in accordance with the K input signals.

173. The method of claim 172, comprising the steps of:

(g.) receiving a second polarity of the differential composite signal comprising transmit signal components in accordance with the K input signals; and

(h.) receiving a second polarity of the differential replica signal comprising replicas of the transmit signal components in accordance with the K input signals.

174. The method of claim 173, comprising the step of:

(i) producing a differential difference signal comprising a difference between the differential composite signal and the differential replica signal.

175. The method of claim 174, wherein the differential difference signal comprises a receive signal.