Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed driving data of multiple protocols through a single set of pins. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a transmitter connected to two pads on an IC the transmitter including a differential driver to transmit a differential signal, wherein the differential driver has a first branch and a second branch, each branch of the differential driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads; and a common mode driver to transmit a common mode signal, the common mode driver having a first branch and a second branch, each of the branches of the common mode driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads. The first and second switch devices are not turned on simultaneously, based on data to be transmitted, one of the switch devices being turned on and the other being turned off.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed driving data of multiple protocols through a single set of pins. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a transmitter connected to two pads on an IC the transmitter including a differential driver to transmit a differential signal, wherein the differential driver has a first branch and a second branch, each branch of the differential driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads; and a common mode driver to transmit a common mode signal, the common mode driver having a first branch and a second branch, each of the branches of the common mode driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads. The first and second switch devices are not turned on simultaneously, based on data to be transmitted, one of the switch devices being turned on and the other being turned off.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed driving data of multiple protocols through a single set of pins. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a transmitter connected to two pads on an IC the transmitter including a differential driver to transmit a differential signal, wherein the differential driver has a first branch and a second branch, each branch of the differential driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads; and a common mode driver to transmit a common mode signal, the common mode driver having a first branch and a second branch, each of the branches of the common mode driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads. The first and second switch devices are not turned on simultaneously, based on data to be transmitted, one of the switch devices being turned on and the other being turned off.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to elements to counter transmitter circuit performance limitations. An embodiment of an apparatus for driving data on a differential channel including a first output terminal and a second output terminal includes a differential driver circuit; and a first pre-driver and a second pre-driver, where each pre-driver has an output, wherein the first output terminal of the apparatus is coupled to the output of the first pre-driver, and the second output terminal of the apparatus is coupled to the output of the second pre-driver, where each pre-driver includes one or more capacitors, a first end of each capacitor being connected to the output of the pre-driver and a second end of each of the capacitors being connected to a sub-pre-driver circuit.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for switching between a plurality of inputs each to receive a respective analog signal to be transmitted. In an embodiment, switch circuitry comprises a first input to receive a first signal, a second input to receive a second signal, and one or more T-coil circuits including a first T-coil circuit. A first configuration of the switch circuitry includes a first signal path via a first switch coupled between the first input and a primary input node of the first T-coil circuit. A second configuration of the switch circuitry includes a second signal path via a second switch coupled between the second input and a secondary input node of the first T-coil circuit. In an embodiment, control logic transitions the switch circuitry among a plurality of configurations including the first configuration and the second configuration.

Abstract: Techniques and methods for performing asymmetric, full-duplex communication via a signal line. In an embodiment, a transceiver includes transmit circuitry to transmit a first signal via a node coupled to a signal line, where the first signal is transmitted concurrently with the transceiver receiving a second signal via the node at a substantially different data rate than that of the first signal. In another embodiment, signal processing circuitry of the transceiver detects a composite signal at the node, the composite signal including a combination of the first signal and the second signal. Based on the combination of the first signal and the second signal, the signal processing circuitry generates a processed signal, including the signal processing circuitry reducing a contribution by the first signal. The processed signal is provided to receiver circuitry of the transceiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed driving data of multiple protocols through a single set of pins. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a transmitter connected to two pads on an IC the transmitter including a differential driver to transmit a differential signal, wherein the differential driver has a first branch and a second branch, each branch of the differential driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads; and a common mode driver to transmit a common mode signal, the common mode driver having a first branch and a second branch, each of the branches of the common mode driver including a protection device connected to one of the pads. The first and second switch devices are not turned on simultaneously, based on data to be transmitted, one of the switch devices being turned on and the other being turned off.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to elements to counter transmitter circuit performance limitations. An embodiment of an apparatus for driving data on a differential channel including a first output terminal and a second output terminal includes a differential driver circuit; and a first pre-driver and a second pre-driver, where each pre-driver has an output, wherein the first output terminal of the apparatus is coupled to the output of the first pre-driver, and the second output terminal of the apparatus is coupled to the output of the second pre-driver, where each pre-driver includes one or more capacitors, a first end of each capacitor being connected to the output of the pre-driver and a second end of each of the capacitors being connected to a sub-pre-driver circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to elements to counter transmitter circuit performance limitations. An embodiment of an apparatus for driving data on a differential channel including a first output terminal and a second output terminal includes a differential driver circuit; and a first pre-driver and a second pre-driver, where each pre-driver has an output, wherein the first output terminal of the apparatus is coupled to the output of the first pre-driver, and the second output terminal of the apparatus is coupled to the output of the second pre-driver, where each pre-driver includes one or more capacitors, a first end of each capacitor being connected to the output of the pre-driver and a second end of each of the capacitors being connected to a sub-pre-driver circuit.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for switching between a plurality of inputs each to receive a respective analog signal to be transmitted. In an embodiment, switch circuitry comprises a first input to receive a first signal, a second input to receive a second signal, and one or more T-coil circuits including a first T-coil circuit. A first configuration of the switch circuitry includes a first signal path via a first switch coupled between the first input and a primary input node of the first T-coil circuit. A second configuration of the switch circuitry includes a second signal path via a second switch coupled between the second input and a secondary input node of the first T-coil circuit. In an embodiment, control logic transitions the switch circuitry among a plurality of configurations including the first configuration and the second configuration.

Abstract: Techniques and methods for performing asymmetric, full-duplex communication via a signal line. In an embodiment, a transceiver includes transmit circuitry to transmit a first signal via a node coupled to a signal line, where the first signal is transmitted concurrently with the transceiver receiving a second signal via the node at a substantially different data rate than that of the first signal. In another embodiment, signal processing circuitry of the transceiver detects a composite signal at the node, the composite signal including a combination of the first signal and the second signal. Based on the combination of the first signal and the second signal, the signal processing circuitry generates a processed signal, including the signal processing circuitry reducing a contribution by the first signal. The processed signal is provided to receiver circuitry of the transceiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to elements to counter transmitter circuit performance limitations. An embodiment of an apparatus for driving data on a differential channel including a first output terminal and a second output terminal includes a differential driver circuit; and a first pre-driver and a second pre-driver, where each pre-driver has an output, wherein the first output terminal of the apparatus is coupled to the output of the first pre-driver, and the second output terminal of the apparatus is coupled to the output of the second pre-driver, where each pre-driver includes one or more capacitors, a first end of each capacitor being connected to the output of the pre-driver and a second end of each of the capacitors being connected to a sub-pre-driver circuit.