On asynchronous full-duplex dual-rail link with multiple-valued current-mode signaling

In this paper we propose a new on-chip link structure. The two modules placed on the opposite side of the link can exchange data simultaneously. The link uses a special communication protocol called 2-color 1-phase, the number of communication actions between the respective transmitter and receiver is only one which makes it faster than the conventional communication protocol. In the presented link there is no requirement for a separate handshake lines, this reduces the number of interconnects in the system. Since the link circuits are designed using multiple-valued current mode logic with dual-rail coding linear summation is implemented by wiring without active devices, the resulting transceiver circuits becomes very simple. Also due to current-mode logic the voltage swing on the link is very small which decrease the power dissipation and delay of the signals on the link.