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:
Feb. 15, 2011
Filed:
Jan. 15, 2009
Daniel M. Dreps, Georgetown, TX (US);
John C. Schiff, Round Rock, TX (US);
Dhaval R. Sejpal, Austin, TX (US);
Daniel M. Dreps, Georgetown, TX (US);
John C. Schiff, Round Rock, TX (US);
Dhaval R. Sejpal, Austin, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a single driver that can be used to transmit data with configurable levels of pre-emphasis, and can have either a constant or adjustable driver output impendence, selectively. One embodiment, directed to a driver apparatus, is associated with a digital communication channel for transmitting data signals, wherein at least one of the signals includes a higher frequency component. The apparatus comprises a first sub-driver that has a constant output impedance, and is selectively configurable to implement two or more different levels of pre-emphasis. The apparatus further comprises one or more second sub-drivers. A set of connector elements are provided for connecting the first sub-driver and each of the second sub-drivers in parallel relationship with one another, so that the first sub-driver and each of the second sub-drivers all have inputs that respectively receive a specified driver apparatus input signal, and all have outputs that are connected together to selectively provide a specified driver apparatus output impedance. The apparatus further includes a device that is connected to selectively disable and enable each of the second sub-drivers.