Active equalizing negative resistance amplifier for bi-directional bandwidth extension

A method comprising:

• selecting, by a first multiplexor, which one of a first plurality of signal paths is connected to a first signal path, and selecting, by a second multiplexer, which one of a second plurality of signal paths is connected to a second signal path, wherein each of the first signal path and second signal path is connected to a pad that is connected to a USB connector, wherein a first signal received by the first multiplexer is compliant with a universal serial bus protocol, and wherein a second signal received by the first multiplexer is compliant with a DisplayPort protocol;
• receiving, on a first signal path, a first signal component of a differential signal;
• passing the first signal component through a first capacitor to a non-inverting input terminal of a first amplifier;
• receiving, on a second signal path, a second signal component of the differential signal;
• passing the second signal component through a second capacitor to an inverting input terminal of the first amplifier;
• and
• wherein the first signal is generated by a first physical layer (PHY) logical unit, wherein the second signal is generated by a second PHY logical unit, and wherein the first amplifier, first multiplexer, second multiplexer, first PHY logical unit, and second PHY logical unit are all included on a same semiconductor die.

A circuit comprising:

• an amplifier;
• a first capacitor coupled between a first signal path and a first input terminal of the amplifier;
• and
• a second capacitor coupled between the first signal path and a first output terminal of the amplifier;
• wherein the first signal is generated by a first physical layer (PHY) logical unit, wherein the second signal is generated by a second PHY logical unit, and wherein the amplifier, first multiplexer, second multiplexer, first PHY logical unit, and second PHY logical unit are all included on a same semiconductor die;
• wherein the circuit further comprises a first multiplexer coupled to the first signal path and a second multiplexer coupled to the second signal path, wherein the first multiplexer is configured to select which one of a first plurality of signal paths is connected to the first signal path, and wherein the second multiplexer is configured to select which one of a second plurality of signal paths is connected to the second signal path;
• wherein a first signal received by the first multiplexer is compliant with a first protocol, wherein a second signal received by the first multiplexer is compliant with a second protocol, and wherein the second protocol is different from the first protocol, wherein the first protocol is universal serial bus (USB), wherein the second protocol is DisplayPort, and wherein the first signal path and the second signal path are coupled to pads which are connected to a USB type-C connector.