Patent ID: 6463496
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An interface circuit for connecting a first apparatus to at least one second apparatus distant therefrom by way of a bi-directional bus, in particular an I2C bus, the interface circuit having a data lead for the bi-directional transmission of a data signal and a cycle lead for the bi-directional transmission of a cycle signal, wherein the interface circuit consists of a circuit arrangement provided at each apparatus, the circuit arrangement comprising a separating means for separating the data signal at the data lead and the cycle signal at the cycle lead in each case into a transmitting branch and a receiving branch, wherein the separating means for the data lead and the cycle lead in each case comprises an Opto-coupler for the transmitting branch and the receiving branch for the galvanic separation of each transmitting branch and each receiving branch, and a bus driver having a differential transmitter and a differential receiver provided in each case for the data lead and the cycle lead, wherein data signals and cycle signals between the apparatuses are transmitted via differential leads.