Abstract: A variable-mode digital logic circuit is provided for accepting and serializing a parallel data word, so that the parallel data word may be transmitted from the digital logic circuit over a single one-bit wide trace. In some embodiments, the variable-mode digital logic circuit may include a plurality of parallel data traces for receiving the parallel dataword, a plurality of select-capable multiplexor circuits for sequentially activating certain ones of the parallel data traces and for multiplexing the received data into a serial data stream, a ring counter for controlling a frequency of specific operations performed within the circuit, and at least one additional multiplexor circuit array for receiving data output from the plurality of select-capable multiplexor circuits and for further serializing the received data for output on the single one-bit wide trace. The digital logic circuit may be adapted to operate according to one of a plurality of variable modes.

Abstract: A variable-mode digital logic circuit for accepting a parallel data word of a plurality of data bits wide as input and serializing the word such that the word may be transmitted as output from the circuit over as few as a single one-bit wide trace is provided. The variable-mode digital logic circuit comprises, a plurality of parallel data traces for passing input data to the circuit, each trace dedicated to the transmission of a single bit of the word, a plurality of select-capable MultiPlexor circuits for sequentially activating certain ones of the parallel data traces to pass data thereto and for multiplexing the received data such that the data is serially output therefrom, a ring counter for controlling frequency of specific operations performed within the circuit and at least one additional MultiPlexor circuit array for receiving data output from the plurality of select-capable MultiPlexor circuits as input and for further serializing the received data for output on as few as a single one-bit wide trace.