Apparatus for handling high speed data communication signals and method for manufacture thereof

An apparatus for effecting input for a repeater for use in conveying a plurality of high speed data communication signals;

• said plurality of communication signals being delivered to the apparatus in differential signaling at a pair of channels;
• said differential signaling being embodied in a first encoded signal delivered at a first channel of said pair of channels and a second encoded signal delivered at a second channel of said pair of channels;
• said first encoded signal and said second encoded signal being embodied in signal excursions in at least one predetermined format operating within at least one excursion range;
• the apparatus comprising:
• (a) a first input locus coupled with said first channel for receiving said first encoded signals;
• (b) a second input locus coupled with said second channel for receiving said second encoded signals;
• (c) at least one output locus configured for presenting said plurality of communication signals for further treatment in a desired format in at least one output channel;
• each respective output locus of said at least one output locus being provided for presenting an output signal to at least one output channel of said at least one output channel;
• and
• (d) a plurality of treating circuits for treating said first signal excursions and said second signal excursions in a plurality of formats;
• said plurality of formats including said at least one predetermined format and said desired format;
• each respective treating circuit of said plurality of treating circuits being coupled with at least one of said first input locus and said second input locus;
• each respective treating circuit of said plurality of treating circuits being coupled with at least one output locus of said at least one output locus;
• the apparatus presenting sufficiently low capacitance between said first input locus and said at least one output locus and presenting sufficiently low capacitance between said second input locus and said at least one output locus to impart substantially zero time delay to said plurality of communication signals.

A method for manufacturing an apparatus for handling a plurality of high speed data communication signals;

• said plurality of communication signals being delivered to the apparatus in at least one input channel expressed as an encoded signal embodied in signal excursions in at least one predetermined format operating within at least one excursion range;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) in no particular order:
• (1) providing at least one input locus configured for coupling with said at least one input channel for receiving said plurality of communication signals;
• and
• (2) providing at least one output locus configured for coupling with at least one output channel for presenting said plurality of communication signals for further treatment in a desired format;
• (b) providing a plurality of treating circuits for treating said signal excursions in a plurality of formats;
• said plurality of formats including said predetermined format and said desired format;
• each respective treating circuit of said plurality of treating circuits being coupled with at least one said respective input locus and coupled with at least one said respective output locus;
• and
• (c) constructing the apparatus to present sufficiently low capacitance between said at least one input locus and said at least one output locus to impart substantially zero time delay to said communication signals.