Patent Abstract:
Single to differential interfacing. The present invention provides for an efficient solution to transform an output from a single ended source to a pair of differential signals that are provided to a differential receiver. The differential receiver is any number of devices including a differential clock receiver. The differential signals may be referenced to voltages used to receiver power supply voltages. The present invention obviates the need for an additional differential driver and its required additional devices that are need to perform transformation of a single ended signal to a pair of differential signals. There can be significant cost savings in using the single to differential interfacing that is performed in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, two independent power and ground planes are communicatively coupled via a transmission line, or a transmission line-like traces on a printed circuit board, are used to provide uniform impedance control for all return paths within a system. These transmission lines or transmission line-like traces on the printed circuit board have characteristic impedances higher than the characteristic impedances of other transmission paths in the system or the other traces on the printed circuit board. Moreover, a power supply that is used to bias the single ended source is floated with respect to the system ground. The present invention allows for interfacing single ended devices to devices that use differential inputs signals via a cost effective solution in terms of component costs, real estate costs, and in terms of complexity.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to device interfacing; and, more particularly, it relates to interfacing a single ended device to a device employing differential inputs. 
     2. Related Art 
     There is a movement in the art towards devices that use or require differential inputs. There have been some conventional approaches that have sought to perform the interfacing of a single ended signal to a device necessitating differential inputs. One conventional approach seeks to isolate signals. This is done by separating traces on a printed circuit board (PCB) and by providing extra ground paths through connectors or in and out of integrated circuit (IC) packages. One deficiency in this approach is that isolating these signals does not eliminate shared paths altogether. Cross-talk between the signals is reduced, but it may not be completely eliminated. 
     Another conventional approach uses a differential driver that provides source and return connections for every signal. This second conventional approach allows cross-talk problems to be somewhat minimized, since each signal has its own dedicated return path. However, using these differential drivers necessitates special devices and more pins within a system, thereby increasing real estate consumption, cost, and complexity within a system. In certain applications where these constraints are rigid, the incremental addition of cost and complexity may make it impracticable to use such a conventional solution. The use of these differential drivers requires the use of other special devices more pins to perform the proper interfacing. This conventional approach is exemplary of a brute force method that puts little emphasis on cost savings in any number of terms including: money, real estate, and complexity. 
     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional systems will become apparent to one of skill in the art through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various aspects of the present invention can be found in a single to differential interface. The single to differential interface includes a first isolated power and ground plane and a second isolated power and ground plane. The first isolated power and ground plane generates a single ended source output having a first current magnitude. The second isolated power and ground plane is communicatively coupled to the first isolated power and ground plane via a substantially transmission-like connection. The second isolated power and ground plane receives a pair of differential signals. The first isolated power and ground plane receives a return signal via a single return path, the return signal having a second current magnitude. 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, the substantially transmission-like connection includes a number of transmission lines. One of the transmission lines has a first characteristic impedance and at least one other of the transmission lines has a second characteristic impedance. The first current magnitude and the second current magnitude are substantially of a common magnitude. The substantially transmission-like connection includes a number of connection types including a trace on a printed circuit board. The substantially transmission-like connection is operable across a predetermined frequency range at which the single ended source output is operable to be modulated. The predetermined frequency range spans from DC to a maximum switching frequency. One of the differential signals of the pair of differential signals is referenced through a resistance to a voltage logic level. 
     Other aspects of the present invention can be found in a single to differential interface. The single to differential interface includes a single ended source, a single to differential interface circuitry, and a differential receiver. The single ended source emits a single ended source output. The single to differential interface circuitry is operable to convert the single ended source output to a pair of differential outputs. The differential receiver receives the pair of differential outputs. The single to differential interface circuitry employs a substantially transmission-like connection between the single ended source and the differential receiver. 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, the substantially transmission-like connection includes a number of connection types including a trace on a printed circuit board. The differential receiver includes a printed circuit board trace having a first characteristic impedance, and the substantially transmission-like connection includes an interface trace having a second characteristic impedance. The second characteristic impedance is larger than the first characteristic impedance. One of the differential outputs of the pair of differential outputs is referenced through a resistance to a voltage logic level. The single to differential interface also includes a floating power supply that biases the single ended source. In other embodiments, a current being transmitted from the single ended source includes a magnitude that is substantially equal to a magnitude of a current that is received by the single ended source. 
     Other aspects of the present invention can be found in a single to differential interface method. The method includes referencing a single ended source output signal to a floating single ended source ground, implementing a differential interface that is referenced to a system ground, and referencing a number of differential signals to a number of receiver power supply voltages. 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, one of the differential signals is referenced to one of a voltage logic level low or a voltage logic level high. The method also includes using uniform impedance control, and the uniform impedance control is operable to ensure a single return current path. The method also includes connecting a first isolated power and ground plane to a second isolated power and ground plane via a substantially transmission-like connection. The substantially transmission-like connection includes a number of connection types including an interface trace on a printed circuit board. 
     Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments are considered in conjunction with the following drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential interface built in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential clock interface built in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential interface via transmission lines built in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a system diagram illustrating another embodiment of a single to differential interface via transmission lines built in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential interface on a printed circuit board built in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a system diagram illustrating another embodiment of a single to differential interface on a printed circuit board built in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential interface method performed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a single to differential interface method performed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a single to differential interface method performed in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is operable to convert a driving source from a single ended signal to differential signals. By running signals in a differential mode, shared path effects are eliminated. Some of the benefits of this differential mode are reduced system noise, and improved transmission and detection of signals. Differential signals may be produced from conventional, non-differential devices. The ability to perform this transformation without isolating signals and without the use of a differential driver results in cost savings and accessibility among other benefits. The use of differential signals generated by the present invention offers many other benefits as well. The parasitic effects from connectors and integrated circuit (IC) packages often induce signal distortion that creates timing “push out and cross talk problems. The use of differential signals, as generated by the present invention, will reduce these effects and improve overall system performance. 
     FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential interface  100  built in accordance with the present invention. A single ended source circuitry  110  provides a single ended source output  121  to a single to differential interface circuitry  130 . The single to differential interface circuitry  130  generates two differential signals from the single ended source output  121 , namely, a differential output # 1   141  and a differential output # 2   142 . A differential receiver circuitry  150  receives both of the differential output # 1   141  and the differential output # 2   142 . A single output, a differential receiver circuitry output  161 , is transmitted from the differential receiver circuitry  150  to any other device. The single to differential interface  100  of the FIG. 1 may be used to perform the transformation of a single ended signal to differential signals to be provided to any number of devices requiring differential inputs. 
     FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential clock interface  200  built in accordance with the present invention. A single ended clock circuitry  210  provides a single ended clock output  221  to a single to differential clock interface circuitry  230 . The single to differential clock interface circuitry  230  generates two differential signals from the single ended source output  221 , namely, a differential clock output # 1   241  and a differential clock output # 2   242 . A differential clock receiver circuitry  250  receives both of the differential clock output # 1   241  and the differential clock output # 2   242 . A single output, a differential clock receiver circuitry output  261 , is transmitted from the differential clock receiver circuitry  250  to any other device. The single to differential clock interface  200  of the FIG. 2 may be used to perform the transformation of a single ended clock signal to differential clock signals to be provided to any number of devices requiring differential inputs. 
     FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential interface via transmission lines  300  built in accordance with the present invention. A gain  320 , biased using a floating DC source, is provided a signal from a source  310 . The output from the gain  320  is fed to the transmit path of a transmission line  331  having a characteristic impedance Z TL1 . In certain embodiments of the invention, the transmission line  331  is exemplary of any type of connection having a substantially transmission-like connection. As will be seen below in other embodiments of the invention, a substantially transmission-like connection is implemented in other forms included traces on a printed circuit board (PCB). The return path of the near end of the transmission line  331  is passed back to the floating low end voltage level of the DC source that biases the gain  320 . 
     The transmit path of the far end of the transmission line  331  feeds a near end of a transmission line  332  having a characteristic impedance Z TL2 . The return paths of both the near end and the far end of the transmission line  332  are grounded to the system ground of the single to differential interface via transmission lines  300 . The signal transmitted from the far end of the transmission line  332  is passed to one of the inputs of a gain  350 . For example, the transmit signal through the transmission line  332  passed to the negative input of the gain  350 . This signal is referenced through a resistance R LL    342  to a voltage level logic low V LL . The gain  350  is biased using a voltage level V DD  and is referenced to the system ground of the single to differential interface via transmission lines  300 . 
     The other of the inputs of the gain  350  is connected to the far end of a transmission line  333  having a characteristic impedance Z TL3 . For example, the signal fed back through the transmission line  333  is from the positive input of the gain  350 . This signal is referenced through a resistance R LH    343  to a voltage level logic high V LH . The transmit path from the near end of the transmission line  333  is passed to the return path of the far end of the transmission line  331 . The return paths of both the near end and the far end of the transmission line  333  are grounded to the system ground of the single to differential interface via transmission lines  300 . 
     There are certain areas within the single to differential interface via transmission lines  300  where the currents are all equal to a value “I.” For example, the current transmitted from the gain  320  to the transmit path of the near end of the transmission line  33 , and the current received from the receive path of the near end of the transmission line  331  are both equal to the value “I.” In addition, the values of the current transmitted through the resistance R LL    342  to the voltage level logic low V LL  and the current transmitted from the voltage level logic high V LH  the resistance R LH    343  are also equal to the value “I.” These currents are of a common magnitude, or of a substantially similar magnitude. The design of the present invention, as shown in the embodiment of the FIG. 3, also ensures that there are no current return paths except through the various transmission lines. The particular values of the characteristic impedances of the transmission lines and the various resistors within the FIG. 3 are variable as required within various applications. One example of particular values that will provide the advantages contained within the present invention is shown below in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 4 is a system diagram illustrating another embodiment of a single to differential interface via transmission lines built in accordance with the present invention. A gain  420 , biased using a floating DC source, is provided a signal from a source  410 . The output from the gain  420  is fed to the transmit path of a transmission line  431  having a characteristic impedance Z TL1  that is equal to 100Ω. In certain embodiments of the invention, the transmission line  431  is exemplary of any type of connection having a substantially transmission-like connection. As will be seen below in other embodiments of the invention, a substantially transmission-like connection is implemented in other forms included traces on a printed circuit board (PCB). The return path of the near end of the transmission line  431  is passed back to the floating low end voltage level of the DC source that biases the gain  420 . 
     The transmit path of the far end of the transmission line  431  feeds a near end of a transmission line  432  having a characteristic impedance Z TL2  that is equal to 50Ω. The return paths of both the near end and the far end of the transmission line  432  are grounded to the system ground of the single to differential interface via transmission lines  400 . The signal transmitted from the far end of the transmission line  432  is passed to one of the inputs of a gain  450 . For example, the transmit signal through the transmission line  432  passed to the negative input of the gain  450 . This signal is referenced through a resistance R LL    442  that is equal to 50Ω to a voltage level logic low V LL . The gain  450  is biased using a voltage level V DD  and is referenced to the system ground of the single to differential interface via transmission lines  400 . 
     The other of the inputs of the gain  450  is connected to the far end of a transmission line  433  having a characteristic impedance Z TL3  that is equal to 50Ω. For example, the signal fed back through the transmission line  433  is from the positive input of the gain  450 . This signal is referenced through a resistance R LH    443  that is equal to 50Ω to a voltage level logic high V LH . The transmit path from the near end of the transmission line  433  is passed to the return path of the far end of the transmission line  431 . The return paths of both the near end and the far end of the transmission line  433  are grounded to the system ground of the single to differential interface via transmission lines  400 . 
     As within the system shown in the FIG. 3, there are certain areas within the single to differential interface via transmission lines  400  where the currents are all equal to a value “I.” For example, the current transmitted from the gain  420  to the transmit path of the near end of the transmission line  43 , and the current received from the receive path of the near end of the transmission line  431  are both equal to the value “I.” In addition, the values of the current transmitted through the resistance R LL    442  to the voltage level logic low V LL  and the current transmitted from the voltage level logic high V LH  the resistance R LH    443  are also equal to the value “I.” These currents are of a common magnitude, or of a substantially similar magnitude. The value of “I” in the FIG. 3 is not necessarily the same as the value of “I” as shown in the FIG.  4 . The design of the present invention, as shown in the embodiment of the FIG. 4, also ensures that there are no current return paths except through the various transmission lines. 
     FIG. 5 is a system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential interface on a printed circuit board  500  built in accordance with the present invention. The differential interface on a printed circuit board  500  employs at least two independent isolated power and ground planes. An isolated power and ground plane # 1   511  and an isolated power and ground plane # 2   522  are both contained within a system that is placed on a printed circuit board. The isolated power and ground plane # 1   511  includes a gain  530  that is biased using a floating DC source that is referenced to a common ground on the isolated power and ground plane # 1   511 . An input, also referenced to the common ground of the isolated power and ground plane # 1   511 , is provided to the gain  530 . The output of the gain  530  is passed to a printed circuit board (PCB) trace that is placed above the ground plane of the entire PCB. This trace may be viewed as being an interface trace from certain perspectives. In certain embodiments of the invention, this interface trace is exemplary of any type of connection having a substantially transmission-like connection. 
     This interface trace is passed to a trace that is on the isolated power and ground plane # 2   522 . This trace on board the isolated power and ground plane # 2   522  feeds to the negative input of a gain  550 , that is referenced through a resistance R LL    541  to a voltage level logic low V LL . The gain  550  is biased using a voltage level V DD  and is referenced to the system ground of the single to differential interface on a printed circuit board  500 . The negative input to the gain  550  is referenced through a resistance R LH    542  to a voltage level logic high V LH . In addition, the negative input to the gain  550  is fed to a trace on board the isolated power and ground plane # 2   522  that is itself connected to another interface trace on the PCB that connects to the isolated power and ground plane # 1   511  . The receiving end of this interface trace, on the isolated power and ground plane # 1   511 , is connected to the common ground of the isolated power and ground plane # 1   511  as well. The interface traces that connect the two isolated power and ground planes  511  and  522  each have a characteristic impedance (Z I/F ) that is greater than the characteristic impedance of the printed circuit board (Z PCB ) itself. From certain perspectives, these interface traces that connect the two isolated power and ground planes  511  and  522  are differentiated from the generic traces placed on the PCB. 
     The design of the present invention, as shown in the embodiment of the FIG. 5, also ensures that there are no current return paths except through the various traces that interconnect the two isolated power and ground planes  511  and  522 . The particular values of the characteristic impedances of the various traces and the resistors within the FIG. 5 are variable as required within different applications. One example of particular values that will provide the advantages contained within the present invention is shown below in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 6 is a system diagram illustrating another embodiment of a single to differential interface on a printed circuit board  600  built in accordance with the present invention. The differential interface on a printed circuit board  600  employs at least two independent isolated power and ground planes. An isolated power and ground plane # 1   611  and an isolated power and ground plane # 2   622  are both contained within a system that is placed on a printed circuit board. The isolated power and ground plane # 1   611  includes a gain  630  that is biased using a floating DC source that is referenced to a common ground on the isolated power and ground plane # 1   611 . An input, also referenced to the common ground of the isolated power and ground plane # 1   611 , is provided to the gain  630 . The output of the gain  630  is passed to the isolated power and ground plane # 2   622  via an interface trace between the two isolated power and ground planes  611  and  622  that has a characteristic impedance equal to 100Ω. This trace may be viewed as being an interface trace from certain perspectives. In certain embodiments of the invention, this interface trace is exemplary of any type of connection having a substantially transmission-like connection. 
     This 100Ω interface trace is connected to a trace on the isolated power and ground plane # 2   622  that has a characteristic impedance equal to 50Ω. This trace 50Ω on board the isolated power and ground plane # 2   622  feeds to the negative input of a gain  650 , that is referenced through a resistance R LL    641 , having a value of 50Ω, to a voltage level logic low V LL . The gain  650  is biased using a voltage level V DD  and is referenced to the system ground of the single to differential interface on a printed circuit board  600 . The negative input to the gain  650  is referenced through a resistance R LH    642 , having a value of 50Ω, to a voltage level logic high V LH . In addition, the negative input to the gain  650  is fed to a trace on board the isolated power and ground plane # 2   622  that has a characteristic impedance equal to 50Ω. The 50Ω trace in the isolated power and ground plane # 2   622  is connected to another interface trace having a characteristic impedance of 100Ω interface trace that interconnects the two isolated power and ground planes  611  and  622 . 
     The receiving end of the 100Ω interface trace, on the isolated power and ground plane # 1   611 , is connected to the common ground of the isolated power and ground plane # 1   611  as well. The interface traces that connect the two isolated power and ground planes  611  and  622  each have a characteristic impedance (Z I/F ) of 100Ω that is greater than the characteristic impedance of the printed circuit board (Z PCB ) itself that is 50Ω. From certain perspectives, these interface traces that connect the two isolated power and ground planes  611  and  622  are differentiated from the generic traces placed on the PCB, at least in that their characteristic impedances are differentiated from the generic values of characteristic impedances on the PCB. 
     Again, the design of the present invention, as shown in the embodiment of the FIG. 6, also ensures that there are no current return paths except through the various interface traces that interconnect the two isolated power and ground planes  611  and  622 . 
     FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a single to differential interface method  700  performed in accordance with the present invention. In a block  710 , a single ended source output is received. Then, in a block  720 , the single ended source output is transformed to differential input signals. Finally, in a block  730 , the differential signals are passed to a differential receiver. 
     The single to differential interface method  700  is operable generically to perform the transformation of the single ended source output to differential signals that are operable to be used as inputs to a differential receiver. The present invention allows for this transformation without necessitating the use of a differential driver or any additional devices or pins to perform the transformation. The present invention offers a very compressed and efficient solution to perform this transformation. 
     FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a single to differential interface method  800  performed in accordance with the present invention. In a block  810 , a power supply is floated at a singled ended source. Then in a block  820 , a differential interface referenced to a system ground is implemented. If desired in alternative embodiments, the differential signals are referenced to receiver power supply voltages as shown in an alternative block  822 . Finally, in a block  830 , the differential signals are used to drive a differential receiver. 
     The single to differential interface method  800  shows how a floating power supply may be implemented to assist in the transformation of a single ended source output to differential signals. In addition, if desired in alternative embodiments, the differential signals themselves are not referenced to either a common ground of the single ended source or to a system ground of a system employing the single to differential interface method  800 . The differential signals may be referenced to voltages of a power supply that is used to bias the differential receiver. 
     FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a single to differential interface method  900  performed in accordance with the present invention. In a block  905 , a power supply at a single ended source is floated. Then, in a block  915 , the terminals of the single ended source are referenced through high impedances (Z HIGH ) to a system ground. In a block  925 , a single ended source output is referenced to the floating single ended source ground. 
     In a block  935 , it is ensured that there are no current return paths except through a single transmission line coupled to the single ended source. Moreover, in a block  945 , it is ensured that the single return path is operable across a broad range of operational switching frequencies of the single ended source. This range of frequencies includes frequencies from DC to a maximum switching frequency of the single ended source. In embodiments where the single ended source is a clock source, then the range of frequencies includes frequencies from DC to the maximum clock switching frequency of the clock source. In a block  955 , uniform controlled impedance is used via transmission lines to control all the return current paths of a system employing the single to differential interface method  900 . 
     In a block  965 , the various transmission lines are terminated with their respective characteristic impedances as shown by Z cl , Z c2 , and . . . Z cn . In a block  975 , one of the differential signals is referenced to a voltage logic level high as shown by V LH . In a block  985 , the other of the differential signals is referenced to a voltage logic level low as shown by V LL . Ultimately, in a block  995 , the receiver power supply is referenced to a system ground that employs the single to differential interface method  900 . 
     The particular order of the various functional blocks as shown within the FIGS. 7,  8 , and  9  may be transposed and interchanged in certain embodiments of the invention. The exemplary embodiments are used to show the operation of the present invention. Clearly, in designing and performing a method that is within the scope and spirit of the invention, certain orders of the functional blocks may be moved around and interchanged. 
     In view of the above detailed description of the present invention and associated drawings, other modifications and variations will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. It should also be apparent that such other modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7