Methods and systems of differential-signal receivers
AssigneeSemiconductor Components Industries, LLC
InventorManuel Hortensia L. MEYERS
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Differential-signal receivers. One example is a method of operating a differential-signal receiver, the method comprising: receiving a first differential signal on a differential-signal pair, the first differential signal accompanying a common-mode voltage that is positive relative to a reference voltage of the differential-signal receiver; clamping, when the first differential signal is positive, an OUT+ node at a first voltage; and clamping, when the first differential signal is negative, the OUT- node at a second voltage.
Claims20
A method of operating a differential-signal receiver, the method comprising:
- receiving a first differential signal on a differential-signal pair, the first differential signal accompanying a common-mode voltage that is positive relative to a reference voltage of the differential-signal receiver;
- clamping, when the first differential signal is positive, an OUT+ node at a first voltage;
- and
- clamping, when the first differential signal is negative, an OUT- node at a second voltage.
A differential-signal receiver comprising:
- an IN+ terminal, an IN- terminal, an OUT+ node, and an OUT- node;
- a first resistor having a first resistance, the first resistor coupled between the IN+ terminal and the OUT+ node;
- a second resistor having a second resistance, the second resistor coupled between the IN- terminal and the OUT- node;
- a first transistor having first connection coupled to the OUT+ node, a second connection coupled to a reference voltage, and a control input;
- a second transistor having first connection coupled to the OUT- node, a second connection coupled to the reference voltage, and a control input coupled to the control input of the first transistor;
- and
- a selector circuit defining a plus port coupled to the OUT+ node, a minus port coupled to the OUT- node, and a mirror output coupled to the control input of the first transistor and the control input of the second transistor, wherein the selector circuit is configured to, when a common-mode voltage on the IN+ and the IN- terminal is positive, drive the mirror output proportional to a magnitude of the common-mode voltage.
A light control system comprising:
- a light controller defining a differential-signal pair comprising a first conductor and a second conductor;
- a driver module coupled to the light controller by way of the differential-signal pair,
- the driver module including a differential-signal receiver comprising:
- an IN+ terminal coupled to the first conductor, an IN- terminal coupled to the second conductor, an OUT+ node, and an OUT- node;
- a first resistor having a first resistance, the first resistor coupled between the IN+ terminal and the OUT+ node;
- a second resistor having a second resistance, the second resistor coupled between the IN- terminal and the OUT- node;
- a first transistor having first connection coupled to the OUT+ node, a second connection coupled to a reference voltage, and a control input;
- a second transistor having first connection coupled to the OUT- node, a second connection coupled to the reference voltage, and a control input coupled to the control input of the first transistor;
- and
- a selector circuit defining a plus port coupled to the OUT+ node, a minus port coupled to the OUT- node, and a mirror output coupled to the control input of the first transistor, wherein the selector circuit is configured to, when a common-mode voltage on the IN+ and the IN- terminal is positive, drive the mirror output proportional to a magnitude of the common-mode voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.