Hybrid electro-optical data communication cable with wired capacitance compensation

Abstract

A communications cable is disclosed. The cable includes a first circuit configured to receive electrical data signals from a data source via an input connector, and convert the electrical data signals into optical signals for transmission by way of one or more optical fibers. The cable includes a second circuit configured to convert the optical signals received via the one or more optical fibers back to electrical data signals for providing to a data sink via an output connector. The cable includes a third circuit for applying pre- and post-signal conditioning to bi-directional control data for transmission to and received from the data sink via wires. The cable includes a fourth circuit for applying pre-and post-signal conditioning to bi-directional control data for transmission to and received from the data source via wires. The pre- and post-signal conditioning compensate for capacitance and / or resistance effects on the signals introduced by the wires.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application asserts Serial Nos. 61 / 842,890, filed July 3, 2013, entitled "Consumer Active Optical Cable IC" and filed April 22, 2014, entitled "Buffered Consumer Active Optical Cable with Buffered Control Lines," Provisional Application No. 61 / 982,727, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to data communication cables, and more particularly to hybrid electro-optic data communication cables with wired capacitance compensation. Background technique [0004] Multimedia data (e.g., audio and video data) is typically communicated from a multimedia data source (e.g., digital video recorder (DVR), compact disc player, multimedia distribution facility, etc.) to a multimedia data sink (e.g., television, DVR , audio processing unit, etc.). Generally, data communication cables are used to route multimedia data and associated control signals fro...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Such capacitive and resistive loads have a greater adverse effect on relatively high-speed multimedia data than on relatively low-speed control data

In this regard, the capacitance of the line usually limits the bandwidth and data rate of multimedia data

In addition, high-speed multimedia data is more susceptible to electromagnetic interference when the data is transmitted over wires

In addition, the use of electric wires, and more particularly, the use of electric wires with relatively long lengths of cables makes the cables undesirably heavy for handling, transportation, installation and use.

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