Communication interface connecting binary logic unit through a trinary logic transmission channel
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorDwight W. Grimes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A communications interface for transferring data from a first binary logic circuit to a second binary logic circuit by using a trinary logic transmission channel. The first set of binary logic signals is converted into a first set of binary control signals which, in turn, control trinary drivers connected to the transmission channel. The trinary drivers drive the transmission channel to one of three discrete voltage levels as opposed to one of two levels in binary systems. Trinary receivers are located on the second binary logic circuit and are connected to the trinary transmission channel. The receivers produce a second set of binary control signals which are translated into a second set of binary logic signals for use by the second binary logic circuit.
Claims24
A communications interface including a first converter for performing a binary to binary conversion having a first binary control signal generator and a trinary driver and also a second converter for performing a trinary to binary conversion having a trinary receiver and a second binary control signal generator and said communications interface also having a transmission channel for transmitting trinary logic levels where said first converter performs at least one of the functions:
- (T.sub.1 =1)=ABC+ABC+ABC
- (T.sub.1 =2)=ABC+ABC
- (T.sub.1 =0)=ABC+ABC+ABC
- (T.sub.3 =1)=AB+ABC
- (T.sub.3 =2)=AB
- (T.sub.3 =0)=AB+AC
- where outputs T.sub.1 =1, T.sub.1 =2, T.sub.1 =0, T.sub.3 =1, T.sub.3 =2, T.sub.3 =0 are are a first set of binary control signals generated by said first binary control signal generator and where A, B and C are the bit values of any three bits in adjacent bit positions selected from a first set of binary logic signals to be converted from binary to trinary.
A communications interface for transmission of trinary logic data over a transmission channel between a trinary driver and a trinary receiver wherein the trinary receiver means includes:
- a first MOSFET circuit, connected to said transmission channel, for producing a first binary control signal on a first output line when the voltage on said transmission channel is less than a first voltage;
- a second MOSFET circuit, connected to said transmission channel, for producing a second binary control signal on a second output line when the voltage on said transmission channel is less than a second voltage;
- and
- a third MOSFET circuit, connected to said transmission channel, for producing a third binary control signal on a third output line when the voltage on said transmission channel is greater than said first voltage and less than said second voltage;
- wherein, said second voltage is less than said first voltage.
A communication interface for transmission of trinary logic data over a transmission channel between a trinary driver and a trinary receiver wherein said transmission channel includes trinary power amplifier means for increasing the trinary signal transmission distance, said power amplifier means having an input connected to said trinary driver means and an output connected to said trinary receiver means, said power amplifier means comprising:
- a first bipolar transistor circuit, controlled by the input to said amplifier, for connecting the output of said amplifier to a first voltage source when the voltage on said input is greater than a first voltage level;
- a second bipolar transistor circuit, controlled by the input of said amplifier, for connecting the output of said amplifier to ground potential when the voltage on said input is less than a second voltage level;
- and
- a third bipolar transistor circuit, controlled by the input of said amplifier, for connecting the output of said amplifier to a second voltage source when the voltage on said input in less than said first voltage level and greater than said second voltage level;
- wherein said first voltage level is greater than said second voltage level, and wherein said first voltage source is of a greater potential than said second voltage source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.