Low power differential link interface methods and apparatuses

In an apparatus, a signal transmission method comprising:

• operating a driver of the apparatus at a first power level to receive transmit data, and output the received transmit data onto a media having two lines differentially;
• monitoring the transmit data to detect for quiescent states;
• and
• on occurrence of a quiescent state, causing the driver to operate at a second power level, consuming less power than the first power level.

In an apparatus, a signal transmission method comprising:

• operating a receiver of the apparatus at a first power level to receive data from a link interface having two lines, over which the data are transmitted differentially, and storing the received data in an input buffer, the receiver includes an integration and a latch coupled together, the integration coupled to the two lines to receive the data, and the latch coupled to the input buffer;
• monitoring for a quiescent states;
• and
• on detection of a quiescent state, causing the receiver to operate at a second power level, consuming less power than the first power level.

A system comprising:

• a first component including a driver to receive and output transmit data onto a link interface having two lines, differentially and at a first power consumption level, with the driver including a first monitor circuit to detect for quiescent states, and on occurrence of a quiescent state, causes the driver to go from the first power consumption level to a second power consumption level that consumes less power than the first power consumption level, during at least a portion of the quiescent state;
• the link interface;
• and
• a second component including a receiver coupled to the link interface to receive the data, operating at a third power consumption level, and place the received data into an input buffer, including a second monitor circuit to detect for quiescent states, and on detection of a quiescent state, causes the receiver to go from the third power consumption level to a fourth power consumption level that consumes less power than the third power consumption level, the receiver includes an integration and a latch coupled together, the integration coupled to the two lines to receive the data, and the latch coupled to the input buffer.