초록 ▼

A bus interface and corresponding method is provided for conveying communication signals supporting multiple modes, where at least two of the modes have distinct operational communication signal levels. The bus interface is adapted to convert the communication signals between communication signals h

A bus interface and corresponding method is provided for conveying communication signals supporting multiple modes, where at least two of the modes have distinct operational communication signal levels. The bus interface is adapted to convert the communication signals between communication signals having distinct signal levels, and communication signals having compatible signal levels. Where in at least some instances, the conveyed communication signals are converted from communication signals having distinct signal levels to communication signals having compatible signal levels, and then back to communication signals having distinct signal levels, after the communication signals having compatible signal levels are transmitted and received via one or more associated communication paths.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A bus interface for converting communication signals in a communication protocol, which includes a plurality of modes of communication, at least two of the modes of communication each having a distinct operational signal level, between communication signals having multiple di

What is claimed is: 1. A bus interface for converting communication signals in a communication protocol, which includes a plurality of modes of communication, at least two of the modes of communication each having a distinct operational signal level, between communication signals having multiple distinct signal levels and communication signals having compatible signal levels, the bus interface comprising: an amplitude adjustment circuit, coupled to a communication bus and including a mode detector circuit, for selectively adjusting the amplitude of communication signals received from the communication bus, based upon a detected mode of the communication signals, and a transmitter coupled to the amplitude adjustment circuit for emitting amplitude adjusted communication signals received from the amplitude adjustment circuit, which includes signals supporting multiple modes having compatible signal levels. 2. A bus interface in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter for detecting amplitude adjusted communication signals emitted by the transmitter; and an amplitude restoration circuit coupled to the receiver and including a mode detector circuit, for restoring the amplitude of the detected amplitude adjusted communication signals, based upon the detected mode of the detected amplitude adjusted communication signals, the amplitude restored detected amplitude adjusted communication signal including signals supporting the at least two modes having distinct signal levels. 3. A bus interface in accordance with claim 2, wherein the transmitter includes an optical emitter, and the receiver includes an optical detector. 4. A bus interface in accordance with claim 3, wherein the optical emitter and the optical detector are communicatively coupled via an optical conductor. 5. A bus interface in accordance with claim 2, wherein the mode detector circuit of the amplitude restoration circuit includes a signal frequency detector for detecting a signal having a signal frequency corresponding to one of the at least two modes of communication. 6. A bus interface in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mode detector circuit of the amplitude adjustment circuit includes a signal amplitude detector for detecting a signal having a signal amplitude corresponding to one of the at least two modes of communication. 7. A bus interface in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least two modes of communication includes a first mode having communication signals, which originate as relatively high speed, low amplitude, differential signals, and a second mode having communication signals, which originate as dual, relatively low speed, high amplitude, single ended signals. 8. A bus interface in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least two modes of communication includes a signal communicated via a common pair of signal paths. 9. A bus interface in accordance with claim 8, wherein the mode detector circuit of the amplitude adjustment circuit includes a comparator for monitoring the signal present on each of the common pair of signal paths, and detecting a common logic level being substantially concurrently present on each of the common pair of signal paths. 10. A bus interface in accordance with claim 2, wherein the at least two modes of communication includes a signal communicated via a shared pair of signal paths; and wherein the mode detector circuit of the amplitude restoration circuit includes a comparator for monitoring the signal present on each of the shared pair of signal paths, and detecting a common logic level being substantially concurrently present on each of the shared pair of signal paths. 11. A bus interface in accordance with claim 2, wherein the amplitude restoration circuit includes an amplifier, which is switchable between a lower gain, wider bandwidth state, and a higher gain, narrower bandwidth state. 12. A bus interface in accordance with claim 1, wherein the amplitude adjustment circuit includes a voltage limiter, which limits voltages greater than a predetermined threshold corresponding to an anticipated amplitude of communication signal in at least one of the at least two modes of communication. 13. A bus interface in accordance with claim 1, wherein communication signals in each of the at least two modes are communicated non-concurrently. 14. A bus interface in accordance with claim 2, wherein the bus interface supports simplex communication in a first direction. 15. A bus interface in accordance with claim 14, wherein said bus interface in conjunction with a corresponding additional second bus interface for communication in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, supports half duplex communication. 16. A bus interface in accordance with claim 14, wherein said bus interface in conjunction with a corresponding additional second bus interface for communication in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, supports full duplex communication. 17. A bus interface in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bus interface is incorporated as part of a wireless communication device. 18. A bus interface in accordance with claim 14, wherein the wireless communication device includes a two part housing including an upper housing and a lower housing, which are movably coupled together, wherein the bus interface conveys communication signals between the upper housing and the lower housing. 19. A full duplex bus interface for conveying communication signals in a communication protocol, which includes a plurality of modes of communication, at least two of the modes of communication each having a distinct operational signal level, the full duplex bus interface comprising: a pair of simplex bus interfaces, each simplex bus interface having: an amplitude adjustment circuit including a mode detector circuit, for selectively adjusting the amplitude of received communication signals, based upon a detected mode of the communication signals, a transmitter coupled to the amplitude adjustment circuit for emitting amplitude adjusted communication signals received from the amplitude adjustment circuit, which includes signals supporting multiple modes having compatible signal levels; a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter for detecting amplitude adjusted communication signals emitted by the transmitter; and an amplitude restoration circuit coupled to the receiver and including a mode detector circuit, for restoring the amplitude of the detected amplitude adjusted communication signals, based upon the detected mode of the detected amplitude adjusted communication signals, the amplitude restored, detected, amplitude adjusted communication signal including signals supporting multiple modes having distinct signal levels; and wherein an input of the amplitude adjustment circuit of a first one of the pair of simplex bus interfaces is coupled to a communication bus for receiving communication signals, and an output of the amplitude restoration circuit is coupled to a device to be coupled to the communication bus; and wherein an input of the amplitude adjustment circuit of a second one of the pair of simplex bus interfaces is coupled to the device to be coupled to the communication bus, and an output of the amplitude restoration circuit is coupled to the communication bus. 20. A method for conveying signals between a communication bus and a device coupled to a communication bus comprising: receiving communication signals for a communication protocol, which includes a plurality of modes of communication, at least two of the modes of communication each having a distinct operational signal level; detecting a mode of the communication signals; selectively adjusting the amplitude of the communication signals, based upon a detected mode of the communication signals, between communication signals having multiple distinct signal levels and communication signals having compatible signal levels; and emitting the communication signals supporting multiple modes, which have compatible signal levels. 21. A method in accordance with claim 20, further comprising: detecting the emitted communication signals supporting multiple modes, which have compatible signal levels; and restoring the amplitude of the detected, emitted communication signals supporting multiple modes, which have compatible signal levels, based upon a detected mode of the communication signals, wherein the communication signals with the restored amplitude includes signals supporting the at least two modes of communication having distinct signal levels.