A low power differential bus utilizing novel split level bus technique

A low-power differential bus utilizing a novel split level bus (SLB) technique is described. There are several inherent advantages with the SLB. The bus operates at full differential mode at all times so the receiver never detects an indeterminate state. There are no reference levels on the bus, allowing full common mode range. Making D and DB both passive or active at the same time can make the SLB appear similar to single-ended operation. This makes any present single-ended bus technique, such as future-bus arbitration, directly applicable to the SLB. The reduced power dissipated by the internal circuitry, and reduction in power supply pins, allow wider parts in the same package. The losses on the bus are reduced and the bus power remains constant for any number of drivers