Wired-or connection in differential transmission environment

A data system comprising:

• at least two devices connected by a differential signaling path, each of the devices including a differential signaling path interface having:
• a data circuit for providing signals to be transmitted over the signaling path;
• a differential transceiver, including differential output drivers and differential input drivers, connected to the data circuit and to the differential signaling path;
• and
• a logic circuit connected to a physical arbiter and the differential transceiver, the logic circuit being configured to enable the differential output drivers when one state of a logical signal is to be transmitted to the differential signaling path and to disable the differential output drivers when the other state of said logical signal is to be transmitted to the differential signaling path.

A method for performing a wired-or operation on a differential signaling path comprising the steps of:

• detecting when a wired-or operation is required;
• enabling a differential output driver when one state of a logical signal is to be transmitted to the differential signaling path and a wired-or operation is required;
• and
• disabling the differential output driver when the other state of said logical signal is to be transmitted to the differential signaling path and a wired-or operation is required, whereby a wired-or operation is performed on said differential signaling path.