Isolated Universal Serial Bus Repeater with High Speed ​​Capability

Abstract

An isolated repeater (300) and corresponding method for Universal Serial Bus (USB) communications includes front-end circuitry (350, 360) coupled to a pair of external terminals (UDP, UDM; DDP, DDM) on either side of a galvanic isolation barrier (315), a full-speed (FS) transceiver (310, 340) adapted to drive and receive signals over one or more FS isolated channels (DP_LR, DM_LR, DP_RL, DM_RL), and a high-speed (HS) transceiver adapted to drive signals over one HS isolated channel (DHS_LR, DHS_RL) and receive signals over another HS isolated channel. The front-end circuitry encodes received signals corresponding to HS data into two-state signals for transmission over one HS isolated channel and encodes received signals corresponding to HS signaling into two-state signals for transmission over one or more FS isolated channels. Front-end circuitry on the other side of the isolation barrier decodes the two-state signals received via one or more FS isolation channels and the two-state signals received via the HS isolation channels for transmission at an external terminal.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] This description relates to serial data communications, and more particularly to galvanically isolated transceivers in serial data communications.

[0002] Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication technology between modern electronic devices and peripherals has become popular in recent years. As the basis of this technology, USB communication is based on industry standard specifications for cables and connectors, and interface protocols over those cables and connectors. These protocols control the connection, communication, and power interface between computers (including smartphone headsets), peripherals, and other devices that connect to those computers. USB connections have been widely adopted in recent years for a variety of devices, and have largely supplanted other interconnection technologies for consumer and enterprise level devices.

[0003] One attractive attribute of USB communications technology is its ease of use, and especially its flexibility, which allows USB peripherals to be interconnected to hosts or other devices, especially through hubs and bus splitters. Because USB networks are essentially self-configuring, users may simply plug and unplug devices into an ad-hoc USB network without having to configure device settings, interrupts, I / O addresses, and so on. From a manufacturer's perspective, USB frees system designers from having to develop proprietary interfaces for later-developed peripheral devices or to implement interface hardware and software to maintain "legacy" compatibility.

[0004] However, in some applications, USB interfacing can be complicated, especially between devices that consume relatively high levels of power. In some situations, the system ground levels of devices connecting via USB may be at different voltages, or the power consumption of one of the devices connected via USB may cause large common-mode transients. In these situations, galvanic isolation is desirable at the USB interface between the connected devices. Therefore, USB transceivers with isolated power sources have been introduced. Such transceivers are also called USB "repeaters." These devices, such as bus splitters and hubs, provide a USB interface that includes an isolation barrier across which the repeater transceiver communicates according to the applicable USB standard.

[0005] For further background, the USB standard provides for communication at several data rates, with each data rate class defined by a protocol at the physical layer. USB version 1.0 initially defined a "full-speed" (FS) USB data rate of 12 Mbps, and a "low-speed" (LS) data rate of 1.5 Mbps. Later versions of the USB standard defined a "high-speed" (HS) data rate of 480 Mbps. While the physical layer operating specifications and protocols for FS and LS communications are very similar, the physical layer operating specifications and protocols for HS data rates are significantly different from those for FS / LS communications. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect, an isolated repeater and corresponding method for Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication is provided. The isolated repeater includes front-end circuitry coupled to a pair of external terminals on either side of a galvanic isolation barrier, a full-speed (FS) transceiver adapted to drive and receive signals via one or more FS isolation channels, and a high-speed (HS) transceiver adapted to drive signals via one HS isolation channel and receive signals via another isolation channel. The front-end circuitry encodes received signals corresponding to HS data into two-state signals for transmission via one HS isolation channel and encodes received signals corresponding to FS signaling into two-state signals for transmission via one or more of the FS isolation channels. The front-end circuitry on the other side of the isolation barrier decodes the two-state signals received via the one or more FS isolation channels and the two-state signals received via the HS isolation channel for transmission at its external terminals.

[0007] Technical advantages enabled by one or more of these aspects include the construction and operation of isolated repeaters in a USB network to efficiently support multiple operating modes, including, for example, a high-speed (HS) mode of operation along with full-speed (FS) and low-speed (LS) modes of operation. By using a dedicated HS isolation channel for communication of HS data and one or more FS / LS isolation channels for some signaling in the HS mode of operation, the construction of isolated repeaters in these implementations may be streamlined. Reducing the number of isolation channels across the galvanic isolation barrier in an isolated repeater reduces device cost and power consumption, and the HS isolation channels and transceivers may be designed for low jitter performance, while the FS isolation channels and transceivers may be designed for low power consumption.

[0008] Other technical advantages made possible by the described embodiments will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an electrical diagram of a USB network including an isolated repeater in which one or more embodiments may be implemented.

[0010] [Figure 2A] 1 is a timing diagram illustrating conventional transmission of data and end-of-packet indicator in the FS mode of operation for USB communications.

[0011] [Figure 2B] 1 is a timing diagram illustrating conventional transmission of start-of-packet, data, and end-of-packet indicators in the HS mode of operation for USB communications.

[0012] [Figure 2C] FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating a conventional handshaking operation for establishing an HS mode of operation in USB communications.

[0013] [Diagram 3] 1A-1C are electrical diagrams in block and schematic form of an isolated repeater according to one embodiment.

[0014] [Figure 4] 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the operation of the isolated repeater of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment.

[0015] [Diagram 5] 4 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of data and end-of-packet indicator transmission in a FS mode of operation in the isolated repeater of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment.

[0016] [Figure 6A] 4 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of transmission of a start-of-packet indicator and data in an HS mode of operation in the isolated repeater of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment.

[0017] [Figure 6B]4 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of data and end-of-packet indicator transmission in an HS mode of operation in the isolated repeater of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment.

[0018] In the drawings, the same reference numbers or other reference identifiers are used to designate the same or similar (functional and / or structural) features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] One or more embodiments described herein are implemented in a USB repeater supporting high speed (HS), full speed (FS), and low speed (LS) communication across an isolation barrier, as such implementations are believed to be particularly advantageous in this context. However, it is contemplated that aspects of these embodiments may be beneficially applied to other applications. Accordingly, the following description is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0020] 1 is a high-level block diagram illustrating the function of an isolated USB repeater 100 in a USB network according to the present disclosure. In this minimal system, a host device 102 and a peripheral device 104 communicate via an isolated USB repeater 100. The repeater 100 may also be referred to as an "isolator" or "isolated repeater", and such terms are interchangeable for purposes of this disclosure. In accordance with the USB standard, differential lines D1+, D1- of one USB cable connect the host device 102 to the repeater 100, and differential lines D2+, D2- of another USB cable connect the repeater 100 to the peripheral device 104. However, in this example, the host device 102 is powered from a supply voltage VBUS1 and ground GND1 that are different from the supply voltage VBUS2 and ground GND2, respectively, of the peripheral device 104. Therefore, the interface between the host device 102 and the peripheral device 104 is required to provide galvanic isolation between the two devices to prevent large voltage differences, prevent ground loops, and prevent common-mode transients between different ground potentials.

[0021] The USB isolated repeater 100 provides this galvanic isolation. As shown in Figure 1, the isolator 100 includes two transceivers 106, 108, where the transceiver 106 is coupled to differential lines D1+, D1- and the transceiver 108 is coupled to differential lines D2+, D2-. In this example, the transceiver 106 is biased by a power supply voltage VBUS1 and ground GND1 with the host device 102, while the transceiver 108 is biased by a power supply voltage VBUS2 and ground GND2 with the peripheral device 104. The transceiver 106 includes a transmitter 105 and a receiver 107, and the transceiver 108 includes a receiver 109 and a transmitter 111. The transmitter 105 of the transceiver 106 transmits (downstream) signals to the receiver 109 of the transceiver 108 via a coupled inductor pair (e.g., a transformer) 110, while the transmitter 111 of the transceiver 108 transmits (upstream) signals to the receiver 107 of the transceiver 106 via a coupled inductor pair 112. This inductive coupling of signals between the transceivers 106 and 108 (by the coupled inductor pair 110, 112) establishes a galvanic isolation barrier 115 to provide the desired galvanic isolation between the host device 102 and the peripheral device 104.

[0022] As mentioned above, USB communication according to valid standards (e.g., USB version 2.0 and later) allows communication at various data rates, including a "full speed" (FS) data rate of 12 Mbps, a "low speed" (LS) data rate of 1.5 Mbps, and a "high speed" (HS) data rate of 480 Mbps. In accordance with valid USB standards, in each of the FS, LS, and HS modes of operation, both data transmission and control signaling are accomplished on a pair of differential signal lines (e.g., D1+, D1- in FIG. 1). Data transmission on the differential signal lines is communicated as differential "1" and "0" levels. For example, in the FS and LS modes of operation, a differential "1" driven by the host device 102 is indicated by a driving signal line D1+ exceeding 2.8V and a signal line D1- below 0.3V, and a differential "0" is indicated by a driving signal line D1- greater than 2.8V and a signal line D1+ below 0.3V. As a shorthand, a differential "1" level is referred to as the "J" state and a differential "0" level is referred to as the "K" state. In the HS mode of operation, a differential "1" (J) is indicated by a differential voltage on signal line D1+ relative to signal line D1- being greater than approximately +400mV, and a differential "0" is indicated by this differential voltage being less (more negative) than approximately -400mV.

[0023] Control signaling includes communication of operating states such as device disconnection, idle, and operating modes (e.g., FS or LS). To detect these various states, pull-up and pull-down resistors are provided in the interfaces of USB devices, including hubs and isolators. Control signaling in USB on a pair of differential signal lines also indicates events such as reset, start of packet (SOP), and end of packet (EOP). FIG. 2A illustrates an example of such control signaling in FS mode of operation, i.e., for end of packet (EOP) signaling following the transmission of a packet of data bits. In FIG. 2A, the levels of the D+ and D- differential lines (e.g., D1+ and D1- in FIG. 1) transition at the FS data rate following the last few data bits of the packet. End of packet is indicated by the transmitting device pulling both the D+ and D- lines low at time t1 following the last bit of the packet (bit LB in FIG. 2A). The condition where D+ and D- are both low is commonly referred to as the "single-ended zero" or "SE0" condition. In accordance with the USB standard, the end of packet is indicated by an SE0 for two bit periods, after which the transmitting device drives the J state (i.e., D- high and D+ low) for one bit period at time t2. Upon completion of the J bit at time t3, the transmitting device allows the D+ and D- lines to float, thereby entering the idle state. Signaling in the LS mode of operation is similar to that in the FS mode of operation.

[0024] FIG. 2B illustrates an example of control signaling according to the HS mode of operation of the USB standard. In the example of FIG. 2B, the start of packet (SOP) is indicated by the transmitting device driving a sequence of KJ state pairs (HS data rate is high) followed by an idle state, which in HS mode is indicated by an SE0 state with both data lines D+, D- at low level (-0 differential). The sequence of KJ bit pairs corresponds to a synchronization pattern, after which data bits may be transmitted. The end of packet (EOP) is indicated in HS mode by an extended transmission of a data state opposite to the data state of the last data bit of the packet. As shown in FIG. 2B, the last data packet bit in the K or J state means that the EOP is indicated by an 8-bit sequence in the J or K state, respectively (e.g., the EOP is indicated by an 8-bit duration of J following the last data bit in K). This 8-bit sequence in a single reverse state is a bit-stuffing error according to the USB standard and therefore may function as an EOP indicator rather than as 8 bits of data. Following the EOP indication, the transmitting device may again enter the idle state.

[0025] As shown by way of example in Figures 2A and 2B, communication of data bits and control signaling over the differential line pair in various USB operating modes involves the transmission of the two differential states J and K as well as a third state of SE0 (both lines driven low). Thus, two signal lines (e.g., differential signaling) are required to communicate these three states. However, the galvanic isolation provided by the USB isolator 100 of Figure 1 prohibits bidirectional communication for a given conductor. Instead, as discussed above, communication across the galvanic barrier 115 involves separate signal paths, in this case through separate coupled inductor pairs 110, 112, for upstream and downstream communication. Thus, in effect, four isolation "channels" are required across the galvanic isolation barrier 115, two in each direction, to communicate the three states J, K, and SE0 across the isolation barrier 115.

[0026] As mentioned above, the USB data transmission and signaling protocols are very similar for FS and LS operation modes. Therefore, a conventional repeater and isolator may support both FS and LS operation modes over the same four isolation channels. However, the data transmission and signaling protocols in the HS operation mode are significantly different from those in the FS and LS operation modes. Different terminations (e.g., pull-up and pull-down resistors at corresponding bias levels) for HS and FS / LS modes are required because the differential logic levels for HS mode (e.g., nominal 400 mV) are different from those for FS and LS modes (e.g., nominal 3.3 V). And, as is evident from Figures 2A and 2B, there are also differences in the signaling protocols for HS mode versus FS / LS. For example, the SE0 state in HS operation mode is the idle condition, whereas the EOP is indicated by the SE0 state in FS / LS.

[0027] Also, entry into the HS mode of operation for a USB connection is performed as a "handshake" sequence implemented in the FS mode of operation (i.e., slower data rate and higher differential logic levels). FIG. 2C illustrates an example of this "handshake" sequence in which the HS mode of operation for USB communication is initiated between a host device and a connected device. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the handshake sequence is initiated by the connected device, shown as an FS mode device, pulling up its D+ line to +3.3V in an idle state. The availability of HS functionality is indicated to the host by the connected device pulling down its D+ line for at least 1 millisecond, indicating an SE0 condition, followed by a "chirp" in the K state for a specific time (e.g., 1-7 milliseconds). In response, a USB host that supports HS operation transmits an alternating sequence of K and J chirp pairs with no idle states, during which the connected device switches its termination resistor to enable the lower differential signal levels of the HS mode of operation. The reset to the HS mode of operation may then be completed when the KJ chirp pairs from the host device stop.

[0028] Although supporting HS operation in addition to FS and LS data rates is desirable for an isolator such as the repeater 100 of FIG. 1, it has been observed that the differences in voltage levels, timing requirements, and signaling between HS and FS / LS modes, as well as the manner in which entry into the HS mode of operation is accomplished via a handshake entry at the higher voltage and lower rate of FS mode, among other considerations, create significant barriers to the design and implementation of HS mode as a viable mode of operation for USB isolators. Designing an isolator that supports both HS and FS / LS operation over the same isolation channel creates a difficult trade-off between the low jitter performance required for HS on the one hand and the power consumption and isolation ratings of FS / LS on the other, resulting in sub-optimal performance and possibly requiring retimers in the HS signal paths, increasing device cost. Conversely, four separate isolation channels designed specifically for HS mode of operation could be implemented with four separate isolation channels designed specifically for FS / LS mode of operation that are turned off when operating in HS mode, but each isolation channel is relatively expensive in terms of device area and power consumption. Therefore, providing eight isolation channels in one isolator to support HS and FS / LS USB communications is a very expensive solution.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an isolated USB repeater 300 according to one or more implementations. The USB repeater 300 is constructed to use FS / LS isolated channels in combination with HS isolated channels in HS operating mode, which allows efficient implementation of multiple USB modes with good isolation and high speed performance. According to the implementation of FIG. 3, the repeater 300 has upstream USB differential input / output (I / O) UDP, UDM for coupling to a USB host, and downstream USB differential input / output I / O DDP, DDM for coupling to USB devices such as peripheral devices or other USB devices that provide services or functions to the USB host. The upstream I / O UDP, UDM are coupled to a USB transceiver 302, and the downstream I / O UDP, UDM are coupled back to a USB transceiver 332. In practice, the upstream and downstream USB transceivers 302, 332 have different coupling and control of termination devices such as pull-up and pull-down transistors as specified for host and device connections in various operating modes (LS, FS, HS) according to valid USB standards. The USB transceiver 302 also includes a squelch detector 312 that operates to detect the presence or absence of a signal on the I / O UDP, UDM. For example, the squelch detector 312 may operate to detect whether the envelope of the differential signal has an amplitude greater than a threshold level (e.g., >150 mV) or less than another threshold level (e.g., <100 mV) and issue a control signal in response. As shown in the example of FIG. 3, one or more of these control signals from the squelch detector 312 are forwarded to the high-speed digital core 304. In response to these squelch control signals, the repeater 300 operates to ignore lower differential amplitudes on the I / O UDP, UDM as noise and to consider higher differential amplitudes as signals.For example, the control signal from squelch detector 312 may operate to gate the transmission of signals by high speed digital core 304 such that high speed digital core 304 blocks communication of signals received on I / O UDP, UDM over HS isolated channel DHS_LR in response to differential signal envelopes below a threshold level (e.g., in a "squelch" condition) and allows communication of signals over HS isolated channel DHS_LR in response to differential signal envelopes above a threshold level (e.g., in a "no squelch" condition). The downstream USB transceiver 332 of repeater 300 similarly includes a squelch detector 342 to similarly detect the presence or absence of differential signals on I / O DDP, DDM and gate communication of signals over high speed isolated channel DHS_RL accordingly.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the upstream side of the repeater 300 includes a high speed digital core 304 that is constructed with appropriate digital logic for controlling operation of the HS mode of operation in a manner described below. Both the high speed digital core 304 and the USB transceiver 302 are coupled to an HS transmitter / receiver (transceiver) 308. The HS transceiver 308 includes driver circuitry for transmitting single-ended signals to the downstream side of the repeater 300 over isolated channel DHS_LR and receiver circuitry for receiving and detecting single-ended signals from the downstream side of the repeater 300 over isolated channel DHS_RL. The upstream side of the repeater 300 further includes a USB digital core 306 that supports FS / LS USB communications and also supports signaling for the HS mode of operation, as described in more detail below. The USB digital core 306 is coupled to an FS / LS transceiver 310 which includes driver circuitry for transmitting differential signals over a pair of isolated channels DP_LR and DM_LR (where "P" and "M" indicate + and - differential lines, respectively) and receiver circuitry for receiving and detecting differential signals from the downstream side of the repeater 300 over isolated channels DP_RL and DM_RL.

[0031] Similar to the upstream side, the downstream side of the repeater 300 includes, in addition to the USB transceiver 332, a high speed digital core 334 coupled to an HS transmitter / receiver 338 that includes driver and receiver circuitry for transmitting and receiving single-ended signals over isolated channels DHS_RL and DHS_LR, respectively. Thus, the HS transceivers 308 and 338 communicate with each other over isolated channels DHS_LR, DHS_RL. The downstream side of the repeater 300 further includes a USB digital core 336 that supports FS / LS USB communications and signaling for the HS mode of operation. The USB digital core 336 is coupled to an FS / LS transceiver 340 that includes driver circuitry for transmitting differential signals over isolated channel pairs DP_LR and DM_LR, and receiver circuitry for receiving and detecting differential signals over isolated channels DP_RL and DM_RL from the downstream side of the repeater 300.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the HS transceivers 308, 338 may be constructed to be well suited for high data rate communications according to a USB HS mode of operation, while the FS / LS transceivers 310, 340 may be constructed to be well suited for low data rate communications according to a FS / LS mode of operation. In other words, certain design trade-offs may be made in the design and construction of each transceiver for its mode of operation, without the compromises required to handle both HS and FS / LS operation. For example, the design of the HS transceivers 308, 338 may prioritize low jitter performance at the expense of power consumption, while the design of the FS / LS transceivers 310, 340 may prioritize reduced power consumption while meeting relaxed jitter specifications for lower data rate communications, in both cases ensuring that a good galvanic isolation rating is maintained.

[0033] Thus, according to this implementation, the repeater 300 provides a total of six isolation channels across the isolation barrier 315: four isolation channels supporting FS and LS USB communication and two isolation channels dedicated to HS USB data communication, with one or more of these FS / LS isolation channels being used to support HS connection and HS signaling handshaking establishment. More specifically, the repeater 300 includes two FS / LS isolation channels DP_LR, DM_LR in a forward (downstream) direction for communicating FS / LS downstream data and HS handshake signals, two FS / LS isolation channels DP_RL, DM_RL in a reverse (upstream) direction for also communicating FS / LS downstream data and HS handshake signals, one HS isolation channel DHS_LR in a forward direction for communicating downstream HS data, and one HS isolation channel DHS_RL in a reverse direction for communicating upstream HS data. The isolation barrier 315 constitutes components, circuit elements, or both that electrically isolate circuit elements on two opposing sides in the sense that there is no DC connection between them. This galvanic isolation established by the isolation barrier 315 ensures that circuit elements on either side of the isolation barrier receive separate power supply voltages and have separate ground levels from each other, and that any signals communicated across the isolation barrier 315 are AC or transducer coupled. As shown in FIG. 3, the isolation barrier 315 may be implemented capacitively for each of the six isolation channels DHS_LR, DHS_RL, DP_LR, DM_LR, DP_RL, and DM_RL. In this example shown in FIG. 3, the isolation barrier 315 is implemented by a dual capacitive isolation barrier. The isolation barrier 315 may be realized in other ways, including inductive, optical, radio, piezoelectric, giant magnetoresistance (GMR), or other isolation technologies. For example, each isolation channel may include a coupled inductor pair.

[0034] Although not shown in FIG. 3, the power supply voltages and ground levels of the upstream and downstream sides of the repeater 300 are separated from each other for the purpose of galvanic isolation. For example, the upstream functions of the transceiver 302, the high speed digital core 304, and the USB digital core 306, as well as the HS transceiver 308 and the FS / LS transceiver 310, may be biased from the same power supply node VBUS1 and ground node GND1. The downstream functions of the transceiver 332, the high speed digital core 334, the USB digital core 336, the HS transceiver 338, and the FS / LS transceiver 340 may be biased from the power supply node VBUS2 and ground node GND2. The power supply node VBUS1 is isolated from the power supply node VBUS2 by the isolation barrier 315, and the ground node GND1 is isolated from the ground node GND2 by the logic barrier 315. Alternatively, the various upstream functions may have different power supply voltages and ground levels between them, as may the downstream functions, but in any case should be maintained electrically isolated from the functions on the other side of the isolation barrier 315.

[0035] In one implementation, the upstream functions of the transceiver 302, high speed digital core 304, and USB digital core 306 are implemented in the same integrated circuit, such as a USB “front-end” integrated circuit 350, while the downstream functions of the transceiver 332, high speed digital core 334, and USB digital core 336 are implemented in a USB front-end integrated circuit 360. In this example, the HS transceiver 308, FS / LS transceiver 310, HS transceiver 338, and FS / LS transceiver 340 are each implemented in separate integrated circuits. Alternatively, the various digital logic and transceiver functions of the repeater 300 may be implemented in fewer or more integrated circuits, depending on the desired implementation. Also, some or all of the repeater 300 itself may be implemented within a larger integrated device, for example to isolate a USB port in a microcontroller-based system. The particular implementation of the repeater 300 in the implementation of FIG. 3 is not intended to be exclusive or limiting.

[0036] As mentioned above, signals used in the USB physical layer, such as those communicated between differential I / O pairs UDP / UDM and DDP / DDM, use three states: differential "1", differential "0", and SE0 (both wires low). In accordance with the implementation of FIG. 3, these three states received on one I / O pair (e.g., UDP, UDM) are encoded for transmission as two-state signals through an appropriate isolation channel across the isolation barrier 315, and then decoded on the other side of the galvanic barrier 315 and retransmitted through the other I / O pair (e.g., DDP, DDM). In this example, the two-state signals transmitted through the isolation channels of the repeater 300 are encoded in the form of single-ended binary signals at either a "0" logic level (logic low) or a "1" logic level (logic high). Alternatively, the two-state signals transmitted through the isolated channel of the repeater 300 may be edge-based encoding, in which each transition of a signal received in I / O vs. UDP / UDM or DDP / DDM is encoded for transmission through the isolated channel as a pulse indicating the polarity of the received transition. Another alternative example of a two-state signal transmitted through the isolated channel of the repeater 300 is called "ON-OFF keying," in which the two states of the signal are represented by the presence of a carrier (e.g., representing a "1" state) or the absence of a carrier (e.g., representing a "0" state). It is contemplated that the repeater 300 according to this implementation may use any of these and similar two-state encodings in transmitting signals through the isolated channel across the isolation barrier 315.

[0037] As discussed above, the USB physical layer signals communicated between the differential I / O pairs UDP / UDM and DDP / DDM represent three states: differential "1", differential "0", and SE0 (both wires low). Alternatively, it is contemplated that the external signals received and transmitted by repeater 300 may be in other formats or encodings, such as combinations of single-ended data signals representing three or more possible states or conditions, tri-level single-ended signals, etc. For purposes of this description, the USB physical layer signals received at and transmitted from the I / O of repeater 300 will be described as in the form of differential signals having three available states: differential "1", differential "0", and SE0 (both wires low).

[0038] 4, the operation of a repeater 300 to communicate USB signals between two USB devices, such as the host device 102 and the peripheral device 104 in the system of FIG 1, while maintaining galvanic isolation between the devices according to one implementation will be described in general terms. In process 402, the repeater 300 receives a differential signal conforming to the applicable USB standard on one of its I / O pairs UDP, UDM, or DDP, DDM.

[0039] The following example describes the repeater 300 receiving differential signals from the host device 102 in its upstream I / O UDP, UDM in process 402. The operation of the repeater 300 for signals received in its downstream I / O DDP, DDM follows a similar process. As described above, these signals received in I / O UDP, UDM may contain data or signaling applicable to one of the available USB operating modes (e.g., HS, FS, LS) and therefore may be any one of the applicable states of differential "1", differential "0", and SE0. These differential signals received in process 402 are processed by the USB transceiver 302 of the repeater 300, which in process 404 detects whether the received differential signals constitute data or signaling for the appropriate operating mode (HS, FS, LS) in which the repeater 300 is currently operating. At decision 405, the USB transceiver 302, possibly together with logic circuit elements of the high speed digital core 304 and the USB digital core 306, determines the appropriate action to take in the repeater 300 to communicate the received USB differential signal across the isolation barrier 315 to the peripheral device 104.

[0040] If decision 405 determines that the differential signal corresponds to data or signaling in one of the FS or LS modes of operation, then process 406 is performed by the USB digital core 306 to encode the received differential signal into a two-state signal for communication across the isolation barrier 315 by the FS / LS transceiver 310. If decision 405 determines that the differential signal corresponds to data communication and signaling in the HS mode, then process 408 is performed by the HS digital core 304 to encode the received differential signal into a two-state signal for communication by the HS transceiver 308 across the isolation channel 315 via the HS isolation channel DHS_LR, and process 410 is performed by the USB digital core 306 to encode signaling information (e.g., an SE0 condition indicating an EOP event) for communication across the isolation barrier 315 by the FS / LS transceiver 310 using one or more of the FS / LS isolation channels DP_LR, DM_LR. If decision 405 determines that the differential signal corresponds to a handshake sequence for switching from a FS mode of operation to a HS mode of operation, process 412 is performed by the USB digital core 306 to encode the received differential signal into a two-state signal for communication across the isolation barrier 315 by the FS / LS transceiver 310 so that the peripheral device 104 can respond appropriately before enabling the HS isolation channels DHS_LR, DHS_RL.

[0041] After the encoded signal is transmitted from the HS transceiver 308 or FS / LS transceiver 310 across the isolation barrier 315 and received by the corresponding HS transceiver 338 or FS / LS transceiver 340 on the downstream side of the repeater 300, process 420 is performed by the appropriate downstream HS digital core 334 or USB digital core 336. Following the decoding process 420, in process 422, the applicable digital core function controls the USB transceiver 332 to transmit the corresponding differential signals in the I / O DDP, DDM to the peripheral device 104 in accordance with the applicable USB standard. As a result, the USB signals transmitted by the host device 102 are forwarded by the repeater 300 to the peripheral device 104 in a manner that maintains isolation between the two devices.

[0042] 5, an example of encoding and communication of two-state signals across the isolation barrier 315 in a FS mode of operation in accordance with processes 406, 412, and 422 of FIG. 4 will be described where downstream FS data is followed by an end of packet (EOP). In this example, one FS isolation channel (e.g., isolation channel DM_LR) is used to communicate data downstream across the isolation barrier 315, while a combination of two downstream FS isolation channels (e.g., isolation channels DP_LR and DM_LR) are used to indicate various signaling conditions. Also, in this example, the two-state signals communicated over isolation channels DP_LR and DM_LR are in the form of single-ended logic signals, although, as discussed above, other forms or encodings of two-state signals may be used instead. For this example of FIG. 5, the encoding of the received USB signal includes the following: JPEG2024515998000002.jpg51135In this Table 1, depending on the direction of transmission, "DP" refers to either the isolated channel DP_LR or DP_LR, and "DM" refers to either the isolated channel DM_LR or DM_RL. The first four differential signals shown in FIG. 5 received at the input UDP, UDM correspond to a sequence of J and K states, i.e. JKJK. According to the encoding of Table 1, these alternating J and K states are communicated across the isolation barrier 315 by the FS / LS transceiver 310. This is done by driving its isolation channel DP_LR to a logic "1" level and driving the isolation channel DM_LR according to the received logic state. FIG. 5 illustrates this encoding with the isolation channel DP_LR at a high level in combination with the isolation channel DM_LR alternating with the received J or K state (e.g. DM_LR at logic "0" for J state and DM_LR at logic "1" for K state). As can be seen from FIG. 5, these encoded J and K states communicated across isolation barrier 315 and received by FS / LS transceiver 340 are then decoded by USB digital core 336 in process 420 and transmitted by USB transceiver 332 on the I / O DDP, DDM as corresponding J and K states in process 422.

[0043] In this example, the second K state shown in FIG. 5 is the last valid bit of the packet and is therefore followed by an end-of-packet (EOP) indicator sent by the host device 102. As discussed above in connection with FIG. 2A, the USB standard for FS / LS mode specifies that the EOP is indicated by an SE0 state for two bit periods followed by a J state for one period. Thus, beginning at time t1 in FIG. 5, the repeater 300 receives an SE0 in the form of a low logic level on both the I / O UDP and UDM after the last valid (K) bit. In accordance with the encoding of Table 1, the USB digital core 306 encodes this SE0 state in process 406 as channel DP_LR at logic "0" and isolation DM_LR at logic "1", and the FS / LS transceiver 310 drives these isolated channels across the isolation barrier 315 accordingly for reception at the FS / LS transceiver 340. The USB digital core 338 decodes this state of the isolation channels DP_LR, DM_LR as SE0, 0 and 1 respectively, and controls the USB transceiver 332 to drive both I / O DDP, DDM low, which in this example forwards the SE0 condition to the peripheral device 104. As shown in Figure 5, the last valid bit in the K state is slightly expanded on the I / O DDM by the USB transceiver 332 to ensure reliable transmission of this last bit.

[0044] Following the SE0 state in the I / O UDP, UDM, which extends for two bit periods, the host device 102 transmits a J state for one bit period, as shown starting at time t2 in FIG. 5. This J state in the I / O UDP, UDM is encoded by the USB digital core 304 as a J state (shown as "DJ" in FIG. 5) that is transmitted by the FS / LS transceiver 310 over the isolated channel DP_LR as a logic "1" and transmitted over the isolated channel DM_LR as a logic "0". This state is decoded by the downstream USB digital core 340 of the repeater 300 and transmitted by the USB transceiver 332 as a J state on the I / O DDP, DDM. The transition of the I / O DDP to indicate the J state may be delayed slightly if there is an extension of the last valid K bit following time t1 in the I / O DDM. In accordance with the USB standard, after the one bit period of the J state in the EOP indicator, the I / O UDP, UDM are allowed to float and become idle at time t3. This idle state is coded on the isolation channels DP_LR, DM_LR according to the coding in Table 1 by the USB transceiver 310 which maintains a 1 / 0 state for more than one bit period, and then decoded by the downstream USB digital core 336 of the repeater 300 upon entering the idle state. The USB digital core 336 then controls the USB transceiver 332 to float its I / O DDP, DDM to indicate the idle condition following the EOP indicator to the peripheral device 104.

[0045] Additional states for the FS / LS operating modes that may be coded according to this implementation are summarized below in Table 2. The L / R nomenclature in Table 2 assumes that the left side of the repeater 300 is upstream (e.g., toward the host device 102) and the right side is downstream (e.g., toward the peripheral device 104) as shown in FIG. This encoding is provided merely as an example. Alternatives are contemplated for encoding the USB differential states into single-ended signal pairs in accordance with applicable standards for communication across the isolation barrier 315 of the repeater 300. In any case, as is evident from Table 2, the isolation channels DHS_LR and DHS_RL are not used in the FS and LS modes of operation.

[0046] 6A, an example of the encoding and communication of two-state signals across the isolation barrier 315 in the HS mode of operation in accordance with processes 408, 412, and 422 of FIG. 4 will be described where the downstream HS data begins with a start-of-packet (SOP) indicator. In this example, the two-state signals communicated across the isolation barrier 315 in the HS mode of operation are described as being in the form of single-ended logic signals, although, as noted above, other formats or encodings of two-state signals may be used instead. As noted above, the USB standard, version 2.0 and later, defines the SOP indicator for the HS mode of operation as the transmitting device driving a sequence of KJ state pairs (at the high HS data rate) followed by an idle state, which corresponds to an SE0 state in which both data lines (e.g., I / O UDP, UDM in FIG. 3) are low, when in USB HS mode. Since the SE0 state is indicated by a 0V differential at the I / O UDP, UDM, the squelch detector 312 drives the "squelch" control signal to an active high level, and in response, the high speed digital core 304 prevents the HS transceiver 308 from transmitting signals over the HS isolation channel DHS LR. In the example of FIG. 6A, the first K state in this sequence of KJ pairs begins at time t1 and is received at the I / O UDP, UDM of the repeater 300 in this downstream example. The squelch detector 312 of the USB transceiver 302 detects a differential at the I / O UDP, UDM having an envelope that exceeds its threshold level (e.g., 150 mV) after at least one transition, and in response drives the squelch control signal to an inactive low level at or after time t2 in FIG. 6A. In response to an inactive level of the squelch control signal (indicating the presence of a differential signal at I / O UDP, UDM), the high speed digital core 304 enables the HS transceiver 308 to transmit a signal over the HS isolation channel DHS_LR corresponding to the signal received at I / O UDP, UDM.During this time prior to detecting the start of packet, the repeater 300 is in the HS mode of operation, so the SE0 state in the I / O UDP, UDM is encoded by the HS digital core 306 as a logic low level appearing on the isolation channel DHS_LR, which corresponds to a K differential state (differential "0") in the I / O UDP, UDM. This logic low level on the isolation channel DHS_LR is driven by the HS transceiver 308 across the isolation barrier 315 in process 408. The squelch control signal from the squelch detector 312 is communicated to the HS digital core 304, which in response enables the HS transceiver 308 to communicate a differential signal transition over the isolation channel DHS_LR. Because the first transition sensed by the squelch detector 312 is a K to J transition (logic low to logic high) following an idle SE0 state, this K to J transition is driven by the HS transceiver 308 on the isolation channel DHS_LR as a logic low to logic high transition at time t3. In response to receiving this initial K to J transition by the HS transceiver 338 and subsequent transitions on the isolation channel DHS_LR, the downstream HS digital core 334 of the repeater 300 decodes these transitions as the start of a new packet, in process 420, and in response, the HS digital core 304 controls the USB transceiver 332 to begin transmitting HS data in I / O DDP, DDM to the peripheral device 104, in process 422, as shown in Figure 6A beginning at time t4. Data transmission in the USB HS mode of operation through the repeater 300 then continues for one or more packets.

[0047] 6B illustrates an example of the operation of the repeater 300 in HS mode of operation in accordance with processes 408, 412, and 422 of FIG. 4 at the end of a packet of downstream HS data that includes an end-of-packet (EOP) indicator. As described above, end-of-packet (EOP) in HS mode is indicated by an extended transmission of the opposite data state to the last data bit of the packet, followed by an SE0 state. This extended transmission, for example an extension over 8 bit periods, is a bit stuffing error according to the USB standard and may be interpreted as an EOP.

[0048] FIG. 6B illustrates the start of this extended transmission in the reverse state of the last valid transmitted bit received in the I / O UDP, UDM beginning at time t1. At this time, and throughout the extended reverse state transmission, the squelch detector 312 continues to detect the presence of a signal in the I / O UDP, UDM, and therefore maintains the "squelch" control signal at an inactive logic low level. Following the activation of the SE0 condition, the host device 102 in this example places the I / O UDP, UDM in an SE0 condition, which occurs at time t2 in the example of FIG. 6B. The squelch detector 312 detects this SE0 condition in the I / O UDP, UDM as the absence of a differential signal, and in response issues an active "squelch" control signal. According to this example, the active squelch control signal is received by the HS digital core 304 and interpreted as an EOP indicator. In response to the active squelch control signal, the HS digital core 304 controls the HS transceiver 308 to block further transmission of data signals on the isolation channel DHS_LR at time t3, leaving the channel DHS_LR at a low logic level (i.e., the K state).

[0049] This K state on the isolated channel DHS_LR may be interpreted as part of a valid packet on the downstream side of the repeater 300, so one or more of the FS isolated channels (DP_LR, DM_LR) are used to communicate the EOP indicator according to this implementation. In this example, the HS digital core 304 indicates the EOP condition indicated by the bit stuffing error of the extended reverse state transmission to the USB digital core 306, which controls the FS / LS transceiver 310 to issue an EOP signal to one or more of the FS / LS isolated channels DP_LR or DM_LR. In the example of FIG. 6B, the EOP signal communicated across the isolation barrier 315 is a short low-going pulse to one of the FS / LS isolated channels DP_LR or DM_LR that occurs at time t3. Alternatively, the EOP signal may be communicated as a particular encoding (e.g., a pattern of bits). This pulse is decoded by the downstream USB digital core 336 of the repeater 300 as an EOP in the HS mode of operation, and in response the HS digital core 334 disables the HS transceiver 338. Meanwhile, HS data communicated across the isolation barrier 315 is being transferred on the I / O DDP, DDM by the USB transceiver 332. Finally, a delayed version of the EOP pulse is generated by the USB digital core 334, and in response the USB transceiver 332 places the I / O DDP, DDM within the SE0 condition at time t4 to indicate to the peripheral device 104 that the end of the packet has been reached.

[0050] Operations in the HS mode of operation for upstream transmissions from the peripheral device 104 to the host device 102 are encoded and communicated across the isolation barrier 315 by the repeater 300 in the opposite isolation channel (e.g., DHS_RL instead of DHS_LR) and I / O instructions in the same manner as described above in connection with Figures 6A and 6B.

[0051] Additional states in the HS mode of operation that may be coded according to this implementation are summarized below in Table 3. The L / R nomenclature in Table 3 again assumes that the left side of the repeater 300 is upstream (e.g., toward the host device 102) and the right side is downstream (e.g., toward the peripheral device 104) as shown in Figure 3. This coding is provided as an example only for illustrative purposes. JPEG2024515998000004.jpg110137 The alternative of encoding the USB differential states into single-ended signal pairs in accordance with applicable standards for communication across the isolation barrier 315 of the repeater 300 is also contemplated.

[0052] Referring again to FIG. 4, the handshaking process 412 according to this implementation can be done using one of the FS / LS isolated channels DP_LR and DM_LR, or DP_RL and DM_RL, because the signaling related to the "chirp" signals related to such handshake is at the slower FS data rate and can be fully performed in the FS mode of operation. In this implementation, the HS isolated channels DHS_LR and DHS_RL are enabled only upon completion of the handshake process. The encoding of the handshake chirp signals for communication over the FS / LS isolated channels DP_LR and DM_LR, or DP_RL and DM_RL according to this implementation is shown in Table 3. For example, to perform the handshake process 412, the peripheral device 104 can apply the SE0 state at the idle terminals DDP, DDM, followed by a chirp in the K state for a specific time, which is received by the USB transceiver 332. In process 412, the USB digital core 336 encodes the received SE0 state according to Table 2 and the received chirp K according to Table 3, which are then transmitted by the FS / LS transceiver 340 across the isolation barrier 315 via the FS / LS isolation channels DP_RL, DM_RL. The USB digital core 306 then decodes these two-state (e.g., single-ended) signals received by the FS / LS transceiver 310 via the isolation channels DP_RL, DM_RL in process 420. The result of the decoding is transmitted by the USB transceiver 302 to the host device 102 as the SE0 state in process 422, followed by the chirp K via terminals UDP, UDM.The idle-free, alternating K and J chirp pair then transmitted by the host device 102 in response to the device chirp K is received by the USB transceiver 302 at terminals UDP, UDM (process 402), encoded by the USB digital core 304 according to Table 3 for transmission over the FS / LS isolated channels DP_RL, DM_RL by the FS / LS transceiver 310 (process 412), received by the FS / LS transceiver 340, decoded by the USB digital core 334 (process 420), and transmitted as an alternating K and J chirp pair at terminals DDP, DDM (process 422). The peripheral device 104 eventually switches its termination resistors to enable the low differential signal levels of the HS mode of operation, and the KJ chirp pair from the host device 102 subsequently stops once the peripheral device 104 has completed its reset to the HS mode of operation. At this point, the HS digital cores 306, 336 on either side of the isolation barrier 300 enable their HS transceivers 312, 342, respectively, for HS data communication over the HS isolation channels DHS_LR, DHS_RL in the manner described above.

[0053] The implementations described above allow isolated repeaters to be built and operated in a USB network to efficiently support multiple modes of operation, including, for example, a high-speed (HS) mode of operation along with full-speed (FS) and low-speed (LS) modes of operation. In these implementations, the construction of isolated repeaters may be streamlined by using a dedicated HS isolated channel for communication of HS data and one or more FS / LS isolated channels for some signaling in the HS modes of operation. Reducing the number of isolation channels across the galvanic isolation barrier of the isolated repeater may not only reduce device cost, but may also reduce the power consumption of the repeater in supporting these multiple modes.

[0054] Also, in accordance with these implementations, the design and construction of transceivers that drive and receive signals across the isolation barrier need not be optimized for performance in every mode of operation. In the example repeater 300 described above, the HS transceivers 308, 338 may be designed for high data rate communication in accordance with the USB HS mode of operation, thereby prioritizing low jitter performance at the expense of power consumption, for example, while the FS / LS transceivers 310, 340 may be designed for lower data rate communication in accordance with the FS / LS mode of operation, thereby prioritizing reduced power consumption while meeting relaxed jitter specifications for the lower data rate communication. Also, in accordance with these embodiments, high data rate USB communication may be efficiently performed between electrically isolated hosts and peripheral devices over a range of modes of operation without compromising critical electrical parameters.

[0055] The term "coupled" as used in this description may encompass a connection, communication, or signal path that enables a functional relationship consistent with this description. For example, if device A generates a signal to control device B to perform a certain operation, then in a first example, device A is coupled to device B, or in a second example, device A is coupled to device B via an intervening component C, where the intervening component C does not substantially change the functional relationship between device A and device B, such that device B is controlled by device A via a control signal generated by device A. A device that is "configured" to perform a certain task or function may be configured (e.g., programmed and / or hardwired) to perform that function by a manufacturer at the time of manufacture, and / or may be configurable (or reconfigurable) by a user after manufacture to perform that function and / or other additional or alternative functions. Such configuring may be accomplished by firmware and / or software programming of the device, by the construction and / or layout of the hardware components and the interconnection of the device, or by a combination thereof.

[0056] As used herein, the terms "terminal," "node," "interconnect," and "pin" are used interchangeably. Unless otherwise noted, these terms are used generally to mean an interconnection between terminals of a device element, a circuit element, an integrated circuit, a device, or other electronic or semiconductor component.

[0057] Unless otherwise specified, the words "about," "approximately," or "substantially" preceding a value means ±10 percent of the stated value. Variations in the described examples are possible, and other examples are possible, within the scope of the claims.

[0058] While one or more embodiments have been described herein, it is of course contemplated that modifications of, and alternatives to, those embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having reference to this specification and its drawings, and such modifications and alternatives may obtain one or more of the advantages and benefits of the present invention. Such modifications and alternatives are contemplated to be within the scope of the claims presented herein.

Claims

1. 1. An isolated repeater for Universal Serial Bus (USB) communications, comprising: a first front-end circuit element coupled to the first pair of terminals; a second front-end circuit element coupled to the second pair of terminals; a first full-speed (FS) transceiver coupled to the first front-end circuitry, the first FS transceiver adapted to drive and receive signals over one or more FS isolation channels; a second FS transceiver coupled to the second front-end circuit element, the second FS transceiver adapted to drive signals to and receive signals from the first FS transceiver via the one or more FS isolation channels, the first and second FS transceivers being galvanically isolated from one another; and a first high speed (HS) transceiver coupled to the first front-end circuitry, the first HS transceiver adapted to drive only HS data signals over a first HS isolation channel and to receive only the HS data signals over a second HS isolation channel; a second HS transceiver coupled to the second front-end circuit element, the second HS transceiver adapted to drive only the HS data signals to the first HS transceiver via the second HS isolation channel and to receive only the HS data signals from the first HS transceiver via the first isolation channel, the first and second HS transceivers being galvanically isolated from each other; Including, the first front-end circuitry is adapted to encode a signal received at the first pair of terminals corresponding to the HS data into a two-state signal transmitted by a first HS transceiver over a first HS isolated channel; the first front-end circuitry is further adapted to encode signals received at the first pair of ports corresponding to HS signaling into two-state signals transmitted by the first FS transceiver over one or more of the FS isolated channels; the second front-end circuit is adapted to decode two-state signals received by the second FS transceiver from the first FS transceiver via the one or more FS isolated channels and from the first HS transceiver via the first HS isolated channel for transmission as signals at the second pair of terminals.

2. 2. The repeater of claim 1, the first front-end circuitry is further adapted to encode signals received at the first pair of terminals corresponding to FS data and signaling into two-state signals transmitted by the first FS transceiver over one or more of the FS isolated channels; the second front-end circuitry is further adapted to decode two-state signals received by the second FS transceiver via the one or more FS isolated channels from the first FS transceiver for transmission as signals corresponding to FS data and signaling at the second pair of terminals.

3. 2. The repeater of claim 1, the first and second front-end circuit elements are adapted to encode signals received at the first and second terminal pairs corresponding to a handshake sequence indicating entry into a HS mode of operation into two-state signals for transmission by the first and second FS transceivers, respectively, over one or more of the FS isolated channels; the first and second front-end circuit elements are further adapted to decode two-state signals received over the one or more FS isolated channels for transmission as signals in the handshake sequence at the first and second terminal pairs, respectively; a repeater, wherein in response to completion of the handshake sequence, the first and second front-end circuit elements enable the first and second HS transceivers to drive and receive signals via the first and second HS isolation channels, respectively.

4. 2. The repeater of claim 1, The repeater, wherein each of the HS and FS isolation channels includes one of a capacitive isolation channel, an inductive isolation channel, and an optical isolation channel.

5. 2. The repeater of claim 1, the first HS transceiver, a transmitter having an input coupled to the first front-end circuitry and an output coupled to the first HS isolation channel; a receiver having an input coupled to the second HS isolation channel and an output coupled to the first front-end circuitry; Including, the second HS transceiver, a transmitter having an input coupled to the second front-end circuitry and an output coupled to the second HS isolation channel; a receiver having an input coupled to the first HS isolation channel and an output coupled to the second front-end circuitry; Including, repeaters.

6. 2. The repeater of claim 1, the first front end circuitry, the first HS transceiver, and the first FS transceiver are biased from a first power supply node and a first ground node; the second front end circuitry, the second HS transceiver, and the second FS transceiver are biased from a second power supply node and a second ground node; The repeater, wherein the first power supply node is electrically isolated from the second power supply node, and the first ground node is electrically isolated from the second ground node.

7. 2. The repeater of claim 1, the first front end circuit element comprising: a USB transceiver coupled to the first pair of terminals; HS digital circuitry coupled to the USB transceiver and to the first HS transceiver, the HS digital circuitry adapted to encode a signal corresponding to the HS data into a two-state signal for transmission by the first HS transceiver; a USB digital circuit element coupled to the USB transceiver and to the first FS transceiver, the USB digital circuit element adapted to encode a signal corresponding to the HS signaling into a two-state signal for transmission by the first FS transceiver; Including, repeaters.

8. 2. The repeater of claim 1, the first front end circuit element comprising: a squelch detector coupled to the first pair of terminals, the squelch detector adapted to detect the presence or absence of a signal at the first pair of terminals relative to one or more differential threshold levels.

9. 9. The repeater of claim 8, the first front-end circuitry is adapted to encode a two-state signal for transmission by the first HS transceiver and the first FS transceiver at a start of a packet of the HS data by performing a plurality of operations; The plurality of operations include: encoding a K-state two-state signal for transmission by the first HS transceiver over the first HS isolated channel in response to the squelch detector detecting an absence of a differential signal on the first pair of terminals; then, in response to said squelch detector detecting the presence of a differential signal at said first pair of terminals and said differential signal corresponding to a J state followed by a K state, encoding a two-state signal of a J state for transmission by said first HS transceiver over said first HS isolated channel; Including, A repeater, wherein the sequence of K and J state pairs received at said first terminal pair corresponds to a start-of-packet indicator.

10. 9. The repeater of claim 8, in response to the squelch detector detecting the absence of the signal, preventing the first HS transceiver from transmitting over the first HS isolated channel and encoding a start-of-packet signal for transmission by the first FS transceiver over one of the FS isolated channels; decoding, at the second FS transceiver, the end-of-packet signal received on the FS isolated channel for transmission as a single-ended zero state at the second port pair; the first front-end circuit element is adapted to encode a two-state signal for transmission by the first HS transceiver and the first FS transceiver to indicate an end of packet for an HS data transmission.

11. 2. The repeater of claim 1, the first front-end circuitry is adapted to encode a signal received at the first pair of ports and corresponding to HS data into a single-ended signal to be transmitted by a first HS transceiver over a first HS isolated channel; the first front-end circuitry is further adapted to encode signals received at the first pair of ports corresponding to HS signaling into a single-ended signal transmitted by a first FS transceiver over one or more of the FS isolated channels; a repeater, wherein the second front-end circuit is adapted to decode single-ended signals received by the second FS transceiver from the first FS transceiver via the one or more FS isolation channels and from the first HS transceiver via the first HS isolation channel for transmission as signals at the second pair of terminals.

12. 2. The repeater of claim 1, the first front-end circuitry is adapted to encode a differential signal received at the first pair of terminals and corresponding to HS data into a two-state signal transmitted by a first HS transceiver over a first HS isolation channel; the first front-end circuitry is further adapted to encode a differential signal received at the first pair of terminals corresponding to HS signaling into a two-state signal transmitted by a first FS transceiver over one or more of the FS isolated channels; the second front-end circuit is adapted to decode two-state signals received by the second FS transceiver from the first FS transceiver via the one or more FS isolation channels and from the first HS transceiver via the first HS isolation channel for transmission as differential signals at the second pair of terminals.

13. 1. A method for communicating Universal Serial Bus (USB) signals corresponding to a high speed (HS) mode of operation and a full speed (FS) mode of operation across a galvanic isolation barrier, comprising: Receiving a signal at a first pair of ports of the repeater; For a received signal corresponding to data in the HS mode of operation, encoding said received signal corresponding to HS data into a two-state signal; transmitting only the two-state signal corresponding to the HS data across an isolation barrier via a first HS isolation channel; decoding the two-state signal received from the first HS isolated channel into a signal corresponding to the HS data; transmitting a signal corresponding to the HS data from a second terminal pair of the repeater; For a received signal corresponding to signaling in the HS mode of operation, encoding said received signal corresponding to HS signaling into a two-state signal; transmitting the two-state signal across the isolation barrier via one or more FS isolation channels; decoding the two-state signals received from the one or more FS isolated channels into signals corresponding to the HS signaling; transmitting a signal corresponding to the HS signaling from a second terminal pair of the repeater; A method comprising:

14. 14. The method of claim 13, transmitting a two-state signal across the isolation barrier includes coupling the two-state signal to one side of a capacitive isolation barrier; The single-ended signal is received on another side of the capacitive isolation barrier.

15. 14. The method of claim 13, For received signals corresponding to data and signaling in the FS mode of operation, encoding the received signal into a single-ended signal; transmitting the two-state signal across the isolation barrier via one or more FS isolation channels; decoding the two-state signals received from the one or more isolated channels into signals corresponding to FS data and signaling; transmitting a signal corresponding to the FS data and signaling from a second terminal pair of the repeater; The method further comprises:

16. 14. The method of claim 13, for a signal received at one of the first and second pairs of terminals of the repeater corresponding to a handshake sequence indicating entry into a HS mode of operation; encoding the received signal into a single-ended signal; transmitting the two-state signal across the isolation barrier via the one or more FS isolation channels; decoding the two-state signals received from the one or more isolated channels into signals corresponding to FS data and signaling; transmitting a signal corresponding to the FS data and signaling from another pair of the first and second terminal pairs of the repeater; enabling the first and second HS transceivers to drive and receive single-ended signals over the first and second HS isolation channels in response to completion of the handshake sequence; The method further comprises:

17. 14. The method of claim 13, For a received signal corresponding to a start of packet of data in the HS mode of operation, encoding a two-state signal of a K state in response to detecting an absence of a signal at the first pair of terminals; transmitting the K-state two-state signal across the isolation barrier via the first HS isolation channel; then encoding a two-state signal for a J state in response to detecting the presence of a signal at the first pair of terminals and a signal corresponding to a J state following the K state; transmitting the J-state two-state signal over the first HS isolated channel; Further comprising: A method according to claim 1, wherein a sequence of K and J state pairs received at said first pair of terminals corresponds to a start-of-packet indicator.

18. 14. The method of claim 13, For a received signal corresponding to an end-of-packet of data in the HS mode of operation, in response to receiving at the first pair of terminals a signal corresponding to an extended transmission in a state opposite to a previous state, encoding a two-state signal corresponding to a state of the extended transmission; transmitting the two-state signal corresponding to the extended transmission state across the isolation barrier via the first HS isolation channel; then, in response to detecting an absence of a signal at the first pair of terminals, inhibiting transmission of single-ended signal transitions over the first HS isolation channel and encoding a pulse for transmission by the first FS transceiver over one of the FS isolation channels; decoding the pulse received on the first FS isolated channel as a single ended zero state; transmitting a single ended zero state on the second pair of ports; The method further comprises:

19. 14. The method of claim 13, The method, wherein the two-state signal is a single-ended signal.

20. 14. The method of claim 13, the signal received at the first pair of terminals of the repeater is a differential signal; For a received differential signal corresponding to data in the HS mode of operation, transmitting a signal corresponding to HS data from a second pair of terminals of the repeater includes transmitting a differential signal; The method, wherein for a received differential signal corresponding to signaling in the HS mode of operation, transmitting a signal corresponding to HS signaling from a second pair of terminals of the repeater includes transmitting a differential signal.

21. 1. A universal serial bus (USB) repeater, comprising: a first front end coupled to a first input / output conductor (I / O), a first USB transceiver coupled to the first I / O; a first high speed (HS) digital core coupled to the first USB transceiver; a first USB digital core coupled to the first USB transceiver and to the first HS digital core; a first HS transceiver coupled to the first HS digital core; a first USB transceiver coupled to the first USB digital core; the first front end including: a second front end coupled to the second I / O, a second USB transceiver coupled to the second I / O; and a second high speed (HS) digital core coupled to the second USB transceiver; a second USB digital core coupled to the second USB transceiver and to the second HS digital core; a second HS transceiver coupled to the second HS digital core; a second USB transceiver coupled to the second USB digital core; the second front end including: an isolation circuit isolatingly coupled between the first front end and the second front end, the isolation circuit having first and second isolation channels; and Including, the first HS transceiver, a first transceiver having an input coupled to the first HS digital core and an output coupled to the first isolation channel; a first receiver having an input coupled to the second isolation channel and an output coupled to the first HS digital core; Including, the second HS transceiver, a second transceiver having an input coupled to the second HS digital core and an output coupled to the second isolation channel; a second receiver having an input coupled to the first isolation channel and an output coupled to the second HS digital core; Including, repeaters.

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