Communication bus for low voltage swing data signals

Details Communication bus for low voltage swing data signals Communication bus for low voltage swing data signals

1999-07-12

2004-11-09

Chin, Stephen (Department: 2634)

Pulse or digital communications

Cable systems and components

C327S052000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06816554

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved communication bus for use in integrated circuits based on low voltage swing logic.
Low voltage swing (“LVS”) circuits are known per se. Systems built upon such circuits typically carry data on a pair of wires. A first wire carries a true value of the data signal (D) and a second wire carries a complementary value of the data signal (D#). During a precharge phase, both the wires are precharged to a predetermined potential. During an evaluation phase, the potentials on the two wires diverge in response to the information content of the data signal. The LVS circuit generates an output response to voltage differences between the true and complementary signals.
LVS circuits are advantageous because they achieve higher data throughput than conventional “full swing” logic circuit. In a “full swing” circuit, a data signal typically transitions completely to either ground or V
cc
before the circuit can generate an output signal. Because an LVS circuit can sense data from small voltage differences, LVS circuits realize faster operation and improved throughput than conventional full swing logic circuits. Further, because full swing transitions are not necessary to detect useful data, the voltages used within an LVS integrated circuit are reduced over a corresponding full swing circuit, thereby contributing to reduced power consumption.
Because each data signal is carried through the LVS circuit on a pair of wires, LVS circuits include twice as many metal tracks or wires between circuit elements than are in a corresponding full swing circuit. Although the metal pitch may be made tighter in an LVS circuit because of the reduced voltages, the doubling of wires in an LVS integrated circuit can lead to wiring congestion in the circuit. Such disadvantages can limit the applications for which circuit designers may choose to use LVS circuits.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an integrated circuit that possesses the speed and throughput advantages of LVS circuits but that also do not suffer the corresponding disadvantages of wiring congestion.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication bus for low voltage swing data signals that includes a wire for each of the low voltage swing logic data signals and a pair of wires for two reference signals.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4123799 (1978-10-01), Peterson
patent: 4204277 (1980-05-01), Kinoshita
patent: 4247791 (1981-01-01), Rovell
patent: 4561702 (1985-12-01), McAdams
patent: 4751681 (1988-06-01), Hashimoto
patent: 4831287 (1989-05-01), Golab
patent: 5144168 (1992-09-01), Tran
patent: 5148063 (1992-09-01), Hotta
patent: 5638402 (1997-06-01), Osaka et al.
patent: 5650971 (1997-07-01), Longway et al.
patent: 5654918 (1997-08-01), Hammick
patent: 5668765 (1997-09-01), Ang
patent: 5699304 (1997-12-01), Jung et al.
patent: 5726942 (1998-03-01), Yoneda et al.
patent: 5764572 (1998-06-01), Hammick
patent: 5796273 (1998-08-01), Jung et al.
patent: 5821792 (1998-10-01), Miwa
patent: 5834953 (1998-11-01), Glass et al.
patent: 5850359 (1998-12-01), Liu
patent: 5907251 (1999-05-01), Houghton
patent: 5920218 (1999-07-01), Klass et al.
patent: 5936953 (1999-08-01), Simmons
patent: 6028454 (2000-02-01), Elmasry et al.
patent: 6137319 (2000-10-01), Krishnamurthy et al.
patent: 6154498 (2000-11-01), Dabral et al.
patent: 6198682 (2001-03-01), Proebsting
patent: 6278740 (2001-08-01), Nordyke
patent: 6414520 (2002-07-01), Dupcak et al.
patent: 6697896 (2004-02-01), Chen
Samurai et al, “Low-Power CMS Design through VthControl and Low-Swing Circuits”, 1997 International Symposium on Low Power Electronics and Design, Aug. 18-20, 1997, Monterey, California; Association for Computing Machinery, New York, New York.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Communication bus for low voltage swing data signals does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Communication bus for low voltage swing data signals, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Communication bus for low voltage swing data signals will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3343271