Abstract: Receiving units with inputs that may be ground-terminated and with inputs that are selectively ground-terminated or non-ground terminated are enabled with signal level shifting and a termination mode selection input. In a first exemplary implementation, a receiving unit is capable of having ground-terminated inputs. However, common mode voltage of the signal that is input to decoding data recovery circuitry is above ground because the input signal may be level shifted in between the ground-terminated inputs and the decoding data recovery circuitry. In a second exemplary implementation, a mode selection is accomplished by switching a voltage divider into operation and bypassing a level shifter for a non-ground terminated mode. For a ground terminated mode, the voltage divider is switched out of operation and the level shifter is switched into operation for its signal output to be decoded. Pre-amplification may also be employed to improve signal strength.

Abstract: Multi-mode signal drivers with a single output circuit that may be controlled using a mode select input and that may include a common mode (CM) voltage compensation mechanism are described. In a first exemplary implementation, a multi-mode output driver is adapted to drive signals from a single output circuit according to at least two modes, such as a current mode logic (CML) signaling mode and a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) mode. In a second exemplary implementation, a circuit comprises a quasi-LVDS output driver in which a differential amplifier circuit is connected in series with an adjustable resistive element and a programmable current source. In a third exemplary implementation, a CM voltage of an output driver circuit changes with changes to a programmable bias current. To compensate, a feedback mechanism provides a compensation signal to a variable resistive element of the output driver circuit to maintain a desired CM voltage.

Abstract: Receiving units with inputs that may be ground-terminated and with inputs that are selectively ground-terminated or non-ground terminated are enabled with signal level shifting and a termination mode selection input. In a first exemplary implementation, a receiving unit is capable of having ground-terminated inputs. However, common mode voltage of the signal that is input to decoding data recovery circuitry is above ground because the input signal may be level shifted in between the ground-terminated inputs and the decoding data recovery circuitry. In a second exemplary implementation, a mode selection is accomplished by switching a voltage divider into operation and bypassing a level shifter for a non-ground terminated mode. For a ground terminated mode, the voltage divider is switched out of operation and the level shifter is switched into operation for its signal output to be decoded. Pre-amplification may also be employed to improve signal strength.

Abstract: Multi-mode signal drivers with a single output circuit that may be controlled using a mode select input and that may include a common mode (CM) voltage compensation mechanism are described. In a first exemplary implementation, a multi-mode output driver is adapted to drive signals from a single output circuit according to at least two modes, such as a current mode logic (CML) signaling mode and a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) mode. In a second exemplary implementation, a circuit comprises a quasi-LVDS output driver in which a differential amplifier circuit is connected in series with an adjustable resistive element and a programmable current source. In a third exemplary implementation, a CM voltage of an output driver circuit changes with changes to a programmable bias current. To compensate, a feedback mechanism provides a compensation signal to a variable resistive element of the output driver circuit to maintain a desired CM voltage.

Abstract: Receiving units with inputs that may be ground-terminated and with inputs that are selectively ground-terminated or non-ground terminated are enabled with signal level shifting and a termination mode selection input. In a first exemplary implementation, a receiving unit is capable of having ground-terminated inputs. However, common mode voltage of the signal that is input to decoding data recovery circuitry is above ground because the input signal may be level shifted in between the ground-terminated inputs and the decoding data recovery circuitry. In a second exemplary implementation, a mode selection is accomplished by switching a voltage divider into operation and bypassing a level shifter for a non-ground terminated mode. For a ground terminated mode, the voltage divider is switched out of operation and the level shifter is switched into operation for its signal output to be decoded. Pre-amplification may also be employed to improve signal strength.