The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 10, 2000
Filed:
May. 05, 1998
David Anthony Freitas, Morgan Hill, CA (US);
Kevin Roy Vannorsdel, San Jose, CA (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for sensing and reporting connection integrity of a differential transmission line having proper parallel termination is constructed by generating an error signal which indicates that one or both differential input lines are open. The error signal is generated using a voltage comparator having a first and second input in which these inputs are coupled to the first and second ECL signal lines. The first and second input lines are also coupled to a supply voltage by a first and second dynamic impedance such that the input is pulled high when the signal lines are open. The comparator generates an error signal when the input voltages are greater than voltages normally seen on the signal lines indicating the presence of a open transmission line.