Communication interface of a device and method for configuring thereof

摘要

Communication interface for enabling a dual mode transmission between source and sink devices over a standard unidirectional data link. It comprises a plurality of unidirectional transceivers 315-318 for driving data over lanes 312 in one direction and additional transceivers 507-508 for driving data in the opposite direction, where communication link module 502 manages bi-directional protocol. Bidirectional transceiver 319 drives signal over AUX lane 313, while a Hot Plug (HPD) lane 314 is connected to supervisor 501 for configuration of the interface. AUX lane implements part of a discovery protocol related to the unidirectional protocol. The HPD lane is used for unidirectional and bidirectional discovery protocols set-up via signal patterns (e.g. low and high transitions) over lane 314. Signal patterns for bi-directional discovery protocols have durations less than the shortest duration of patterns in unidirectional protocols. This way bi-directional discovery protocols are transparent to devices operating according to unidirectional protocols.