SERDES - SERDES VOLTAGE-MODE DRIVER WITH SKEW CORRECTION

摘要

A driver circuit for transmitting serial data on a communication link combines a voltage-mode driver and a current-mode driver. The driver circuit uses a voltage-mode driver as the main output driver. One or more auxiliary current-mode drivers are connected in parallel with the voltage-mode driver to adjust the output signal by injecting currents into the outputs. The voltage-mode driver supplies most of the output drive. Thus, the output driver circuit may provide power efficiency benefits associated with the voltage-mode drivers. The current-mode drivers can, for example, provide pre-emphasis, level adjustment, skew compensation, and other modifications of the output signals. Thus, the driver circuit may also provide signal conditioning capabilities associated with current-mode drivers.