Enhancing Signal Integrity in Cables: DVI to HDMI and Class-B Differential Signaling

A number of aspects impacting SI and techniques enhancing the quality of high-speed signal transmission through long cables have been discussed. The development of DVI electrical recommendations into HDMI 1.3 released recently shows a clear trend toward the adoption of best known practices from LVDS related industry developments. Examples include source-termination that renders HDMI signals fully differential, and the reported inclusion of AC-coupling in future releases of HDMI that mirrors best practices in long links based upon the LVDS standard. Sink equalization in HDMI further rationalizes the link architecture. We also introduce symmetric, class-B, true-differential signaling (CBDS) technology capable of 4 times or greater voltage swings as compared with LVDS while retaining all of its benefits, enabling very long cable based interconnect links.