Coaxial Bidirectional Data Link Without Replica Circuits

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bidirectional communication link technologies face challenges in achieving simultaneous high-bandwidth communication on single-ended mediums without the need for replica circuits, which are power-intensive and difficult to implement, especially at high data rates.

Innovation Solution

A bidirectional data link system using a forward channel transmitter and receiver circuit, coupled with a back channel receiver and driver circuit, employs a summation and active filtering mechanism to extract and transmit back channel data on a single-ended coaxial cable, eliminating the need for replica circuits by summing and filtering signals to separate forward and back channel data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If replica circuits are used to achieve bidirectional communication on single-ended mediums, then communication capability is improved, but power consumption and implementation difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional communication capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the forward channel driver circuit with the back channel receiver circuit into a single integrated circuit block. The forward channel driver outputs signals that are simultaneously transmitted on the coaxial cable and fed to the back channel receiver, which extracts back channel data by summing the differential outputs and low-pass filtering. This integration eliminates the need for separate replica circuits while enabling full-duplex bidirectional communication on a single-ended medium with reduced power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If replica circuits are used to achieve bidirectional communication on single-ended mediums, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional communication capabilityVSAvoidcircuit implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the forward channel driver circuit with the back channel receiver circuit into a single integrated circuit block. The forward channel driver outputs signals that are simultaneously transmitted on the coaxial cable and fed to the back channel receiver, which extracts back channel data by summing the differential outputs and low-pass filtering. This integration eliminates the need for separate replica circuits while enabling full-duplex bidirectional communication on a single-ended medium with reduced power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The forward channel driver circuit serves multiple functions: it drives the coaxial cable for forward channel communication and simultaneously provides the signal source for back channel communication. The back channel receiver circuit also performs multiple functions by summing the differential outputs to extract back channel data while filtering out high-frequency forward channel signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated replica circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If high data rates are transmitted on forward channel, then communication bandwidth is improved, but noise and interference on the same medium increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforward channel data rateVSAvoidnoise and interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses frequency division multiplexing where the back channel data is modulated onto a low-pass filtered version of the forward channel signal. The back channel receiver sums the differential outputs and applies low-pass filtering to extract back channel data while rejecting high-frequency forward channel signals. This frequency-based separation allows simultaneous bidirectional communication with minimal interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The summation circuit acts as an intermediary that combines the differential outputs from the forward channel driver and feeds them to the back channel receiver. The low-pass filter circuit then mediates between the high-frequency forward channel signals and the back channel receiver, allowing only low-frequency back channel signals to pass through while attenuating high-frequency forward channel noise and interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10804956B2Bidirectional data link

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A bidirectional data link includes a forward channel transmitter circuit and a forward channel receiver circuit. The forward channel transmitter circuit includes a forward channel driver circuit, and a back channel receiver circuit. The back channel receiver circuit is coupled to the forward channel driver circuit. The back channel receiver circuit includes a summation circuit and an active filter circuit. The summation circuit is coupled to the forward channel driver circuit. The active filter circuit is coupled to the summation circuit. The forward channel receiver circuit includes a forward channel receiver, and a back channel driver circuit. The back channel driver circuit is coupled to the forward channel receiver.