Patent ID: 6690744
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A digital line driver circuit for driving a transmission line, having a signal input to receive a digital input signal and a signal output for outputting a digital output signal in accordance with said digital input signal, said digital line driver circuit being adapted to provide a pre-distortion operating mode in which mode said digital output signal is provided with pre-distortion, and an operating mode without pre-distortion, in accordance with a mode selection signal, the digital line driver circuit comprising:a signal processing section arranged to receive said digital input signal and said mode selection signal and to output one or more control signals that depend on said digital input signal and on said mode selection signal; an output stage arranged to receive said one or more control signals and to output said output signal in dependence on said one or more control signals; wherein said output stage comprises: a reference signal generating section arranged to generate m distinctive reference signal levels, m being an integer larger than two; and a signal switching section arranged to receive said one or more control signals and said reference signal levels output by said reference signal generating section, and arranged to select among said reference signal levels for coupling with said signal output in accordance with said one or more control signals, in order to generate and output said output signal.