Single-Ended Bidirectional Data Link With Summation Noise Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bidirectional communication links using a single-ended medium face challenges in achieving high bandwidths and efficient noise reduction without the use of replica circuits, which are power-intensive and difficult to implement at high data rates.

Innovation Solution

A bidirectional data link design that utilizes a forward channel transmitter and receiver, along with a back channel receiver and driver, employing summation and active filtering to separate and filter noise, using degeneration resistors to reduce noise and maintain signal integrity, enabling simultaneous bidirectional signaling on a single-ended coaxial cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If replica circuits are used for noise reduction in bidirectional communication, then noise reduction effectiveness is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for replica circuits by using a different approach: summing the forward channel output with the received signal and filtering to separate back channel data. This removes the harmful dependency on power-intensive replica circuits while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical replica circuit system with a signal processing system using summation and filtering operations. This substitution achieves noise reduction through mathematical operations on signals rather than through physical replica circuitry, reducing power consumption and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If replica circuits are used for noise reduction in bidirectional communication, then noise reduction effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for replica circuits by using a different approach: summing the forward channel output with the received signal and filtering to separate back channel data. This removes the harmful dependency on complex replica circuitry while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Speed

If high data rates are achieved in bidirectional communication, then communication speed is improved, but noise and edge jitter increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidnoise and edge jitter
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary filtering operation between signal reception and back channel data extraction. The filter acts as a mediator that separates the desired back channel signal from noise and jitter, allowing high data rates to be maintained without the harmful effects propagating to the output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical signal conditioning mechanisms with electronic filtering operations in the signal domain. This substitution allows noise and jitter to be reduced through mathematical filtering rather than through physical signal manipulation, enabling high data rates with reduced harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If simultaneous bidirectional signaling is implemented on a single-ended medium, then communication efficiency is improved, but signal separation and noise reduction become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidsignal separation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the single-ended medium serve multiple functions simultaneously: carrying both forward and back channel signals in both directions. By using summation and filtering operations, the system achieves bidirectional communication on a unidirectional medium, maximizing the utility of the communication channel while managing signal separation through mathematical operations rather than physical separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3782323B1Bidirectional data link
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC
  • EP3782323B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3782323B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3782323B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bidirectional data link includes a forward channel transmitter circuit (102) and a forward channel receiver circuit (104). The forward channel transmitter circuit (102) includes a forward channel driver circuit (106), and a back channel receiver circuit (108). The back channel receiver circuit (108) is coupled to the forward channel driver circuit (106). The back channel receiver circuit (108) includes a summation circuit and an active filter circuit. The summation circuit is coupled to the forward channel driver circuit (106). The active filter circuit is coupled to the summation circuit. The forward channel receiver circuit (104) includes a forward channel receiver (110), and a back channel driver circuit (112). The back channel driver circuit (112) is coupled to the forward channel receiver (110).