Patent ID: 6725304
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A bus interface for interconnecting a first circuit module and a second circuit module, said bus interface comprising:a transmitter/receiver within said first circuit module, wherein said transmitter/receiver includes two data inputs and two data outputs, wherein said transmitter/receiver is selectable between a bidirectional mode and an unidirectional mode; a transmitter/receiver within said second circuit module, wherein said transmitter/receiver includes two data inputs and two data outputs; a pair of transmission lines coupled between said transmitter/receivers within said first circuit module and said second circuit module; means for receiving an indication of an operational mode selected for said transmitter/receiver within said first circuit module; means for transmitting a first set of output data from said transmitter/receiver within said first circuit module to said second circuit module over a first one of said pair of transmission lines while simultaneously receiving a first set of input data from said second circuit module via said first one of said pair of transmission lines, and transmitting a second set of output data from said transmitter/receiver within said first circuit module to said second circuit module over a second one of said pair of transmission lines while simultaneously receiving a second set of input data from said second circuit module via said second one of said pair of transmission lines, in response to a receipt of an indication indicating that said transmitter/receiver within said first circuit module should be operated in a bidirectional mode; and means for transmitting a third set of output data from said transmitter/receiver within said first circuit module to said second circuit module over said second one of said pair of transmission lines while simultaneously receiving a third set of input data from said second circuit module via said first one of said pair of transmission lines, in response to a receipt of an indication indicating that said transmitter/receiver within said first circuit module should be operated in an unidirectional mode.