Methods and systems for transmitting signals differentially and single-endedly across a pair of wires
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for use by a transmitter, for transmitting signals from the transmitter across a pair of wires to a receiver, comprising:
- (a) monitoring for the presence or absence of a predetermined signal that is indicative of whether or not video signals are being provided to the transmitter for transmission to the receiver;
(b) selecting one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on results of the monitoring for the presence or absence of the predetermined signal;
(c) transmitting differential signals across the pair of wires during a period of time when the first mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring, wherein the differential signals include video signals as well as Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) signals embedded with the video signals, wherein the I2C signals include a serial clock signal (SCL) and a serial data signal (SDA); and
(d) transmitting two single-ended signals across the same pair of wires during another period of time when the second mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring, wherein one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SCL I2C signal, the other one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SDA I2C signal, and neither of the two single-ended signals comprises a video signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided herein are systems and methods for transmitting signals across a pair of wires. In accordance with specific embodiments, a differential signal is transmitted across the pair of wires during one period of time, and two single-ended signals are transmitted across the same pair of wires during another period of time. Low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) can be used to transmit the differential signal across the pair of wires. In contrast, non-differential signaling can be used to transfer the two singled-ended signals across the same pair of wires.
125 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A method for use by a transmitter, for transmitting signals from the transmitter across a pair of wires to a receiver, comprising:
-
(a) monitoring for the presence or absence of a predetermined signal that is indicative of whether or not video signals are being provided to the transmitter for transmission to the receiver; (b) selecting one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on results of the monitoring for the presence or absence of the predetermined signal; (c) transmitting differential signals across the pair of wires during a period of time when the first mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring, wherein the differential signals include video signals as well as Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) signals embedded with the video signals, wherein the I2C signals include a serial clock signal (SCL) and a serial data signal (SDA); and (d) transmitting two single-ended signals across the same pair of wires during another period of time when the second mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring, wherein one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SCL I2C signal, the other one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SDA I2C signal, and neither of the two single-ended signals comprises a video signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 23)
-
-
7. A method for transmitting signals across a pair of wires, comprising:
-
(a) monitoring for the presence or absence of a predetermined signal; (b) selecting one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on results of the monitoring for the presence or absence of the predetermined signal; (c) transmitting differential signals across the pair of wires during a period of time when the first mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring; and (d) transmitting two single-ended signals across the same pair of wires during another period of time when the second mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring; wherein at step (c) the differential signals being transmitted across the pair of wires comprise high speed signals as well as first and second low speed signals embedded with the high speed signals, wherein the high speed signals are transferred at a speed that is at least 1 MHz, and wherein the low speed signals are transferred at a speed of no more than 400 KHz; and wherein at step (d) one of the two single-ended signals being transmitted across one of the wires comprises the first low speed signal, and the other one of the two single-ended signals being transmitted across the other one of the wires comprises the second low speed signal, and neither of the two single-ended signals comprise the high speed signals.
-
-
8. A method for transmitting signals across a pair of wires, comprising:
-
(a) monitoring for at least one of a data enable signal (DATAEN) and a processor clock signal (PCLK); (b) selecting one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on results of the monitoring; (c) transmitting differential signals across the pair of wires during a period of time when the first mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring; and (d) transmitting two single-ended signals across the same pair of wires during another period of time when the second mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring; wherein at step (c) the differential signals being transmitted across the pair of wires comprise high speed signals as well as first and second low speed signals embedded with the high speed signals, wherein the high speed signals are transferred at a speed that is at least 1 MHz, and wherein the low speed signals are transferred at a speed of no more than 400 KHz; and wherein at step (d) one of the two single-ended signals being transmitted across one of the wires comprises the first low speed signal, and the other one of the two single-ended signals being transmitted across the other one of the wires comprises the second low speed signal, and neither of the two single-ended signals comprise the high speed signals. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for use by a circuit that is configured to transmit signals across a pair of wires to a further circuit, comprising:
-
(a) monitoring for the presence or absence of a predetermined signal that is selectively provided to an input of the circuit and is indicative of whether video signals are being provided to the circuit for transmission to the further circuit; (b) selecting one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for the circuit based on results of the monitoring for the presence or absence of the predetermined signal; (c) configuring the circuit to transmit differential signals across the pair of wires during a period of time when the first mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring for the presence or absence of the predetermined signal, wherein the differential signals include video signals as well as Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) signals embedded with the video signals, wherein the I2C signals include a serial clock signal (SCL) and a serial data signal (SDA); and (d) configuring the circuit to transmit two single-ended signals across the same pair of wires during another period of time when the second mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring for the presence or absence of the predetermined signal, wherein one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SCL I2C signal, the other one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SDA I2C signal, and neither of the two single-ended signals comprises a video signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for use by a circuit that is configured to transmit signals across a pair of wires, comprising:
-
(a) monitoring for the presence or absence of a predetermined signal that is selectively provided to an input of the circuit; (b) selecting one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for the circuit based on results of the monitoring for the presence or absence of the predetermined signal; (c) configuring the circuit to transmit differential signals across the pair of wires during a period of time when the first mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring for the presence or absence of the predetermined signal; and (d) configuring the circuit to transmit two single-ended signals across the same pair of wires during another period of time when the second mode of operation is selected based on results of the monitoring for the presence or absence of the predetermined signal; wherein at step (c) the differential signals being transmitted across the pair of wires comprise high speed signals as well as first and second low speed signals embedded with the high speed signals, wherein the high speed signals are transferred at a speed that is at least 1 MHz, and wherein the low speed signals are transferred at a speed of no more than 400 KHz; and wherein at step (d) one of the two single-ended signals being transmitted across one of the wires comprises the first low speed signal, and the other one of the two single-ended signals being transmitted across the other one of the wires comprises the second low speed signal, and neither of the two single-ended signals comprise the high speed signals.
-
-
17. A mode controller configured to control how transmitter circuitry transmits signals across a pair of wires, wherein the mode controller is configured to:
-
determine whether a predetermined signal is detected at a predetermined terminal, wherein detection of the predetermined signal at the predetermined terminal is indicative of whether video signals are being provided to the transmitter circuitry for transmission to receiver circuitry; select one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on whether the predetermine signal is detected at the predetermined terminal; configure the transmitter circuitry to transmit differential signals across the pair of when the first mode of operation is selected, wherein the differential signals include video signals as well as Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) signals embedded with the video signals, wherein the I2C signals include a serial clock signal (SCL) and a serial data signal (SDA); and configure the transmitter circuitry to transmit two single-ended signals across the same pair of wires when the second mode of operation is selected, wherein one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SCL I2C signal, the other one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SDA I2C signal, and neither of the two single-ended signals comprises a video signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 24)
-
-
20. A system, comprising:
-
transmitter circuitry configured to transmit signals across a pair of wires connected to a pair of outputs of the transmitter circuitry; and a mode controller configured to control how the transmitter circuitry transmits signals across the pair of wires; wherein the mode controller is configured to determine whether a predetermined signal is detected at a predetermined terminal; select one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation based on whether the predetermine signal is detected at the predetermined terminal; configure the transmitter circuitry to transmit differential signals across the pair of when the first mode of operation is selected; and configure the transmitter circuitry to transmit two single-ended signals across the same pair of wires when the second mode of operation is selected, wherein detection of the predetermined signal at the predetermined terminal is indicative of whether video signals are being provided to the transmitter circuitry for transmission to receiver circuitry; wherein the differential signals include video signals as well as Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) signals embedded with the video signals, wherein the I2C signals include a serial clock signal (SCL) and a serial data signal (SDA); and wherein one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SCL I2C signal, the other one of the two single-ended signals comprises the SDA I2C signal, and neither of the two single-ended signals comprises a video signal. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
Specification