Data transfer device between computer nodes

Abstract: First and second nodes are coupled together by a bus. The first node includes a detecting circuit for detecting the maximum data transfer capability of a connected node, at least two receiving circuits for receiving data from the bus, and a controlling circuit for selecting, based on an output signal from the detecting circuit and for optimizing the configuration of a receiving unit so as to bring the other of the receiving circuits to a stop. The second node includes a transmitting circuit for transmitting data to the bus and a notifying circuit for notifying the first node of its own maximum transfer capability.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a data transferring device for communicating data between a plurality of nodes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a data transferring device capable of selectively using one of multiple data transfer rates between nodes. As an international standard for high-speed serial bus transfer methods, the IEEE 1394-1995 standard has been known in the art. In this IEEE 1394-1995 standard, although it is possible to couple a plurality of nodes of different data transfer capabilities to a single bus, the maximum data transfer capability between two nodes depends on the maximum data transfer capability of a node existing between these two nodes. More specifically, three different data transfer rates of 100, 200, and 400 megabits per second (Mbps) are supported, and it is possible to learn the data transfer rate of a connection destination by the process of bus initialization or by the application of a speed signal just before a packet transfer. Conventional data transferring devices in conformity to the IEEE 1394-1995 standard have some problems. For example, when a node having a high-speed data transfer capability (herein after called the high-speed node) is coupled to another having a low-speed data transfer capability (the low-speed node), it is not necessary for the high-speed node to use its internal circuit disposed for handling high-speed data transfers, therefore resulting in waste of bias to such a circuit. US Patent 5,485,488 couples different communication units (e.g. hard disk, CD, digital camera, digital TV, etc.). Those units adapted to and coupled to the communication network may communicate at different maximum communication rates, and thus it would be advantageous to provide a method and mechanism for one communication unit to transmit its communication rate to another communication unit so that both units may utilize a common and proper communication rate. Therefore, communication between two coupled units may be initiated at a slower rate and then upgraded as appropriately high rates for the two units. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention was made with a view to providing a solution to the above-described problem with the prior art technology. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a data transferring device capable of configuring an optimal circuit according to the data transfer capability of a connection destination for achieving the reduction of power consumption. The above object is solved with the features of claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example structure of a data transferring device according to the present invention. Figure 2A is a circuit diagram illustrating the structure of one of receiving circuits of Figure 1 and Figure 2B is a circuit diagram illustrating the structure of the other receiving circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated by making reference to Figures 1 to 2 . Referring first to Figure 1 , there is shown a structure of the data transferring device according to the present invention. In Figure 1 , the present data transferring device is constructed of at least two nodes (the number of nodes is two in the present embodiment). Connected between first and second nodes 1 and 2 is a bus 7 . The first node 1 includes a receiving unit 4 having at least two receiving circuits for receiving data from the bus 7 , a detecting circuit 3 for detecting the maximum data transfer capability of a node as a connection destination, and a controlling circuit 5 for selecting, based on an output signal from the detecting circuit 3 , one of the two receiving circuits and for controlling the receiving unit 4 so as to bring the other receiving circuit to a stop. Outputs of the receiving unit 4 are coupled to the detecting circuit 3 . An output signal from the detecting circuit 3 is coupled to the controlling circuit 5 . Additionally, an output of the controlling circuit 5 is coupled to the receiving unit 4 by a controlling signal 6 . The receiving unit 4 is constructed of a receiving circuit 41 for high-speed data transfers (hereinafter called the high-speed receiving circuit) and a receiving circuit 42 for low-speed data transfers (hereinafter called the low-speed receiving circuit). Figures 2A and 2B are circuit diagrams showing details of these two receiving circuits 41 and 42 . The receiving circuits 41 and 42 each are implemented by a differential input amplifier having PMOS transistors as an input gate, wherein the value of a bias current 1b1 which is applied to the high-speed receiving circuit 41 is set lower than that of a bias current 1b2 which is applied to the low-speed receiving circuit 42. As illustrated in Figure 1 , the second node 2 includes a transmitting circuit 9 for transmitting data to the bus 7 and a notifying circuit 8 for notifying, via the transmitting circuit 9 , the first node 1 of its own maximum data transfer capability. In the data transferring device of Figure 1 , the detection circuit 3 is able to learn the data transfer capability of a connection destination according to a signal from the notifying circuit 8 . The detecting circuit 3 sends to the controlling circuit 5 such acquired knowledge in the form of a signal. Based on the received signal, the controlling signal 5 selects between the high-speed receiving circuit 41 and the low-speed receiving circuit 42 as follows. If the received signal indicates that the data transfer capability of a connection destination is high, the high-speed receiving circuit 41 is then selected, while the low-speed receiving circuit 42 is brought to a stop by the controlling signal 6 . On the other hand, if the received signal indicates that the data transfer capability of a connection destination is low, the low-speed receiving circuit 42 is then selected, while the high-speed receiving circuit 41 is brought to a stop by the controlling signal 6 . According to the data transferring device of Figure 1 as described above, selection between the high-speed receiving circuit 41 and the low-speed receiving circuit 42 is made depending on the connection destination's data transfer capability, therefore making it possible to architect an optimal circuit configuration. When the low-speed receiving circuit 42 is selected, bias current will become less than when the high-speed receiving circuit 41 is selected. This provides the effect of reducing unnecessary power consumption when the data transfer capability of a connection destination is lower than that of the first node 1 itself.

Claims: A data transferring device which is constructed of at least two nodes of which first and second nodes are coupled together by a bus (7), wherein said first node (1) includes a detecting circuit (3) for detecting the maximum data transfer capability of a connected node (2), said second node (2) includes a transmitting circuit (9) for transmitting data to said bus and a notifying circuit (8) for notifying said first node of its own maximum data transfer capability via said transmitting circuit, characterized by at least two receiving circuits (41, 42) in the first node (1) for receiving data on different data rates from said bus, and a controlling circuit (5) in the first node (1) for selecting, based on an ouptput signal from said detecting circuit, the appropriate receiving circuit which is adapted to the detected maximum data transfer capability of the connected node (2) and performing control to bring the other of said receiving circuits (41, 42) to a stop. The data transferring device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said receiving circuits (41, 42) is implemented by a differential input amplifier.

Inventors: AKAMATSU HIRONORI, ARIMA YUKIO, HIRATA TAKASHI, KOMATSU YOSHIHIDE, TAKAHASHI SATOSHI, TERADA YUTAKA, YAMAUCHI HIROYUKI, YOSHIDA TADAHIRO, AKAMATSU, HIRONORI, ARIMA, YUKIO, HIRATA, TAKASHI, KOMATSU, YOSHIHIDE, TAKAHASHI, SATOSHI, TERADA, YUTAKA, YAMAUCHI, HIROYUKI, YOSHIDA, TADAHIRO
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G06F13
IPC codes: G06F13