Interface circuit that can switch between single-ended transmission and differential transmission

An interface circuit that relays a signal between a first external circuit and a second external circuit selectively using a single-ended transmission system and a differential transmission system, the interface circuit comprising:

• a signal reception unit operable to receive, from the first external circuit, a system signal indicating either of the single-ended transmission system and the differential transmission system;
• an input control circuit operable, (i) when the system signal indicates the single-ended transmission system, to receive a first data signal and a second data signal from the first external circuit, and to output the first data signal and the second data signal as a first input signal and a second input signal, respectively, and (ii) when the system signal indicates the differential transmission system, to receive a third data signal from the first external circuit, and to output the third data signal and an inverted logic signal of the third data signal as the first and the second input signals, respectively;
• a first driver circuit operable to receive the first input signal, to generate a first output signal based on the received first input signal, and to output the first output signal to the second external circuit;
• a second driver circuit operable to receive the second input signal, to generate a second output signal based on the received second input signal, and to output the second output signal to the second external circuit;
• and
• a drive control circuit operable to select a constant-voltage driving system or a constant-current driving system according to the system signal, and to control, according to the selection, voltage and current that are supplied from a power supply to the first and the second driver circuits, wherein
• when the system signal indicates the single-ended transmission system, the first and the second driver circuits are driven by constant voltage,
• when the system signal indicates the differential transmission system, the first and the second driver circuits are driven by constant current,
• the first driver circuit switches between conduction and non-conduction states of the current supplied from the power supply according to a level of the first input signal so as to generate the first output signal,
• the second driver circuit switches between conduction and non-conduction states of the current according to a level of the second input signal so as to generate the second output signal,
• the signal reception unit further receives, from the first external circuit, a direction signal indicating a transmission direction, and
• the interface circuit further comprises:
• a first signal line and a second signal line operable to establish connections between the first driver circuit and the second external circuit and between the second driver circuit and the second external circuit, respectively;
• an output control circuit operable to receive the first and the second input signals from the input control circuit, and (i) when the direction signal indicates the transmission direction from the first external circuit to the second external circuit, to output the first and the second input signals to the first and the second driver circuits, respectively, (ii) when the direction signal indicates the transmission direction from the second external circuit to the first external circuit, to disconnect the input control circuit from the second external circuit;
• a termination resistance circuit connected at one end to the first signal line and at another end to the second signal line, the termination resistance circuit having a given resistance value;
• a differential receiver circuit operable to receive differential signals from the second external circuit via the first and the second signal lines;
• a first single-ended receiver circuit operable to receive a single-ended signal from the second external circuit via the first signal line;
• and
• a second single-ended receiver circuit operable to receive a single-ended signal from the second external circuit via the second signal line.