US 5,835,498 A · System and method for sending multiple data signals over a serial link

Abstract

A system and method for sending multiple data signals over a serial link comprises an embedding unit and a removing unit coupled by a serial line. The embedding unit preferably receives a plurality of data streams, encodes the data streams and then merges the encoded data into a serial stream that is output across a serial line to the removing unit. The removing unit receives a serial stream of data, decodes the serial stream, and then separates the decoded serial stream into separate streams thereby reconstructing the streams input to the embedding unit. The encoding and transmission by the embedding unit and the receipt and decoding by the removing unit are completely transparent, the signals output by the removing unit are identical in timing and data content to the signals input to the embedding unit. The present invention also includes a method for transmitting a plurality of data streams over a signal line, and a method for generating a plurality of data streams from a serial sequence.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for transmitting a plurality of data streams as a single data stream, the apparatus comprising:

an encoder having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, each of the plurality of inputs coupled to receive a respective data stream, the encoder producing encoded data words from the data streams,
a multiplexor having a control input, a plurality of data inputs and an output, the multiplexor selecting one of the plurality of inputs to be output as a data transfer stream, the inputs of the multiplexor coupled to the plurality of outputs of the encoders;
a control code generator for producing other control codes identifying streams and idle conditions and isochronous control codes, the control code generator having a plurality of outputs coupled to corresponding inputs of the multiplexor;
and
a scheduler having a plurality of inputs and an output, the scheduler controlling the data stream output by the multiplexor, the plurality of inputs of the scheduler coupled to the plurality of outputs of the encoder, and the output of the scheduler coupled to the control input of the multiplexor.

2 more elements

An apparatus for receiving a data stream and generating a plurality of data streams the apparatus comprising:

a de-multiplexor having a control input, a plurality of data inputs and a first and second plurality of outputs, each of the first and second plurality of outputs providing a different stream of data, the plurality of data inputs of the de-multiplexor coupled to receive a data stream having a plurality of data words;
a stream selector for generating a control signal indicating an output of the de-multiplexor to which to send a data word, comprising:
a plurality of comparators, each comparator having a first input, a second input and an output, the first input of each comparator coupled to receive the data word from a converter and the second input of each comparator coupled to receive a respective stream start control word, and the outputs of the plurality of comparators coupled to control the de-multiplexor;
a decoder having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs for decoding data words the plurality of inputs of the decoder coupled to respective one of the plurality of outputs of the de-multiplexor;
and
an isochronous decoder having an inputs and a plurality of outputs for decoding isochronous control codes into timing control signals the input of the isochronous decoder coupled to the data input of the de-multiplexor.

3 more elements

An apparatus for receiving a data stream and generating a plurality of data streams, the apparatus comprising:

a de-multiplexor having a control input, a plurality of data inputs and a first and second plurality of outputs, each of the first and second plurality of outputs providing a different stream of data, the plurality of data inputs of the de-multiplexor coupled to receive a data stream having a plurality of data words;
a stream selector having an input and an output for generating a control signal indicating an output of the de-multiplexor to which to send a data word, the input of the stream selector coupled to the data input of the de-multiplexor, and the output of the stream selector coupled to the control input of the de-multiplexor;
a decoder having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs for decoding data words, the plurality of inputs of the decoder coupled to respective one of the plurality of outputs of the de-multiplexor;
an isochronous decoder having an inputs and a plurality of outputs for decoding isochronous control codes into timing control signals, the input of the isochronous decoder coupled to the data input of the de-multiplexor;
and
an n-stage bubble buffer for storing data words, the n-stage bubble buffer having an input and a first data output, and a second data output, the second data output of the n-stage bubble buffer coupled to the de-multiplexor, the input of the n-stage bubble buffer coupled to receive a data stream, the n-stage bubble buffer separating isochronous control codes from a data stream output to the de-multiplexor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for sending multiple data signals over a serial link

Life of this patent

System and method for sending multiple data signals over a serial link

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20