US 6,636,072 B1 · Bidirectional interface

Abstract

The invention relates to a data transmission device between two separate lines. This device comprises a real terminal (TRA, TRB) and a virtual terminal (TVA, TVB) associated with each of the lines. The state of a real terminal is that of the associated line. The state of a virtual terminal indicates whether the associated line is transmitting or able to receive a data. Each real terminal associated with a line controls the state of the virtual terminal associated with the other line by means of a control signal (COM), while said virtual terminal controls the state of its associated real terminal (CTRL), and accordingly of the line. A virtual terminal associated with a receiving line receives the control signal (COM) coming from the real terminal associated with the other line and inhibits (INH) the real terminal associated with this receiving line. The inhibited real terminal of the receiving line accordingly is no longer capable of sending a control signal (COM) as long as the other line is transmitting. According to the invention, two lines cannot transmit at the same time, while the switching of the transmission device is fast.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A data transmission device between two lines for the purpose of transmitting digital data whose logic levels correspond to an active state and an idle state of each line, by means of an interface module which provides the connection between said lines, characterized in that

the interface module comprises a real terminal and a virtual terminal associated with each of the lines, wherein
each real terminal is provided with means for reproducing the state of the line with which it is associated and conversely controlling the state of the line, and is provided with control means for controlling the state of the virtual terminal associated with the other line, and
each virtual terminal is provided with means for enabling it to enter an active state when the line with which it is not associated must transmit a data and to enter a passive state if this is not the case, with means for controlling the state of the real terminal with which it is associated, and with means for inhibiting the operation of the control means of said real terminal if and exclusively if the virtual terminal is in the active state.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bidirectional interface

Life of this patent

Bidirectional interface

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5