Three-Level Transmission Drivers for Lower-Power High-Speed Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic apparatuses, there is a need to reduce power consumption in communication systems while maintaining high-speed data transmission capabilities, as the increasing functionality of devices leads to higher data exchange rates and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A transmission device and communication system are designed with multiple drivers that utilize three voltage levels to transmit signals, where a voltage generator provides a third voltage to the drivers, allowing for efficient power management through switch operation, reducing power source requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-speed data transmission is implemented using multiple transmission lines and differential signals, then data transmission rate is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a third voltage level (intermediate voltage) in addition to the conventional high and low voltage levels. This creates a three-voltage-level signaling system where signals can transition through multiple voltage states (e.g., HLH, HLL, LHL, LLH patterns). By changing the voltage parameter from binary to ternary levels, the system achieves higher data transmission rates while reducing power consumption per bit transmitted, as not all transmission lines need to switch between full high and low voltage states for every data bit.
2Productivity
If multiple drivers are used to transmit signals on multiple transmission lines, then transmission capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing drivers that can operate in multiple modes - they can drive transmission lines using conventional two-voltage-level differential signaling or the new three-voltage-level signaling. The same driver circuitry handles both signaling schemes, and the system can dynamically select which transmission lines use which signaling mode. This multi-functional capability increases transmission capacity while managing device complexity through reusable driver designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the transmission system into groups - some transmission lines operate with conventional two-voltage-level signaling while others use the three-voltage-level signaling. This allows the system to progressively adopt the new signaling method on specific lines without requiring all drivers to be redesigned simultaneously, thereby managing complexity while increasing overall transmission capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a transmission device including: a first transmitter that has a plurality of drivers that each enable transmission of a signal using a plurality of voltages including a first voltage, a second voltage, and a third voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage, and that transmits a sequence of symbols; a second transmitter that has a plurality of drivers that each enable transmission of a signal using the plurality of voltages, and that transmits a sequence of symbols; and a voltage generator that generates the third voltage. Each of the drivers of the first transmitter and the drivers of the second transmitter has a switch that transmits the third voltage generated by the voltage generator to an output terminal of the driver through turn-on operation of the switch.