Circuits systems and methods for reducing power loss during transfer of data across an I/O bus

A system for transferring a signal across a line comprising:

• first circuitry for transmitting a signal across said line, said first circuitry comprising:
• processing circuitry coupled to a first high voltage rail and a first low voltage rail, said processing circuitry generating a first signal having a first voltage swing between a first high voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of said first high voltage rail and a first low voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of said first low voltage rail;
• and
• a line driver coupled to a second high voltage rail and a second low voltage rail, said line driver receiving said first signal from said processing circuitry and outputting on said line a second signal having a second voltage swing between a second high voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of said second high voltage rail and a second low voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of said second low voltage rail, wherein said second high voltage level is less than said first high voltage level and said second low voltage level is greater than said first low voltage level;
• and
• second circuitry coupled to said line comprising a receiver for receiving said second signal transmitted at said second voltage swing, said receiver outputting a third signal at substantially said first voltage swing.

A method of transferring information across a conductor comprising the steps of:

• converting information in the form of a first signal having a first voltage swing into a second signal having a second voltage swing, the first voltage swing being between a first high voltage--provided by a first high voltage rail--and a first low voltage--provided by a first low voltage rail--and the second voltage swing being between a second high voltage--provided by a second high voltage rail--and a second low voltage--provided by a second low voltage rail--, the second high voltage being less than the first high voltage and the second low voltage being greater than the first low voltage;
• transmitting the second signal on the conductor;
• receiving the second signal from the conductor;
• and
• reconverting the second signal into the first signal having the first voltage swing.