N-Factorial Voltage Mode Driver for High-Frequency Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current N! interface implementations using current sources are disadvantageous, especially in high-frequency signaling and devices with limited power budgets, as they require complex differential drivers and multiple pairs of wires for data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The use of combination voltage mode drivers that encode data in symbols to calculate resultant current flows across multiple wires, emulating the effect of differential current flows while matching characteristic impedances, allowing for efficient data transmission over a single wire with a set of voltage sources and switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If current sources are used in an N! differential driver, then data transmission can be achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from current-mode signaling to voltage-mode signaling. Instead of using current sources that require complex differential drivers, the invention uses voltage sources with simpler circuitry. The voltage mode driver achieves the same N! signaling functionality by switching between different voltage levels (0V, V/2, V) rather than using current mirrors and differential pairs, thereby reducing device complexity and power consumption.
2Productivity
If multiple pairs of wires are used for data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but the number of wires and interface complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each wire in the N-wire interface universal by enabling it to participate in multiple differential pairs simultaneously. In traditional implementations, each differential pair requires dedicated wire pairs. The voltage mode N! driver allows any wire to be driven relative to any other wire, creating N(N-1)/2 possible differential pairs from N wires. This multi-functionality of each wire increases data transmission capability while reducing the total number of wires needed compared to dedicated pair approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
System, methods and apparatus are described that provide an N-factorial (N!) voltage-mode driver. A method communicating on an N! interface includes encoding data in a symbol to be transmitted over the N wires of the interface, and for each wire of the N wires, calculating a resultant current for the wire by summing current flows defined for two or more two-wire combinations that include the wire, and coupling a switchable voltage source to the each wire. Each bit in the symbol defines a current flow between a pair of the N wires that is one of a plurality of possible two-wire combinations of the N wires. The switchable voltage source may be selected from a plurality of switchable voltage sources in order to provide a current in the each wire that is proportionate to the resultant current calculated for the each wire.