Global signaling over lossy transmission lines

We describe an interconnect scheme based on lossy transmission lines, compare this scheme with traditional bus based links, and present performance data. Unlike some other schemes there is no requirement for up-conversion, equalization, or special metal processing. In preliminary work, we have measured data rates of 14 Gbps (limited by test equipment) over a 7.2 mm interconnection, implemented in 0.18 μm CMOS. For active links signaling over a single serial link, is more power efficient than over traditional parallel buses, does not require repeaters and is less affected by noise and coupling.