Method and related device for detecting signals in a TMDS transmission system

A device for detecting signals in a transition minimized differential signal (TMDS) transmission system, a channel of the TMDS system between a receiver and a transmitter, the device comprising:

• a separation device for separating loadings of the receiver from the channel;
• a first current source for providing a first reference current in a first differential line of the channel;
• a second current source for providing a second reference current in a second differential line of the channel;
• and
• a determination module coupled to the first current source, the second current source, the first differential line and the second differential line for determining an operating state of the transmitter according to a first current difference and a second current difference;
• wherein the first current difference is a difference between the first reference current and a current provided by the transmitter via the first differential line, and the second current difference is a difference between the second reference current and a current provided by the transmitter via the second differential line.

A method for detecting signals in a transition minimized differential signal (TMDS) transmission system, a channel of the TMDS system between a receiver and a transmitter, the method comprising:

• acquiring a first voltage of a first differential line of the channel;
• acquiring a second voltage of a second differential line of the channel;
• computing a peak voltage of the first voltage and the second voltage;
• and
• determining an operating state of the transmitter according to the peak voltage.

A device for detecting signals in a transition minimized differential signal (TMDS) transmission system, a channel of TMDS system between a receiver and a transmitter, the device comprising:

• a first current source for providing a first reference current in a first differential line of the channel;
• a second current source for providing a second reference current in a second differential line of the channel;
• a first separation device for separating loadings of the receiver from the channel;
• a second separation device for separating the first current source from the first differential line, and separating the second current source from the second differential line;
• a control unit for controlling the second separation device;
• and
• a determination module coupled to the first differential line at a first node and coupled to the second differential line at a second node for determining an operating state of the transmitter according to a first current difference and a second current difference;
• wherein the first current difference is a difference between the first reference current and a current provided by the transmitter via the first differential line, and the second current difference is a difference between the second reference current and a current provided by the transmitter via the second differential line.