Impedance matching circuit

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to an impedance matching circuit for facilitating impedance matching between the characteristic impedance of a cable and the input impedance at the input terminal of a receiver for data transmission and, more particularly, to an impedance matching circuit with adjustable resistance for facilitating impedance matching between the characteristic impedance of the cable and the input impedance at the input terminal of a receiver for data transmission even when the characteristic impedance of the cable varies.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a data transmission system. In FIG. 1, the data transmission system comprises two portions: a transceiver T_X10 and a receiver R_X12, where a cable 14 is interposed between the transceiver T_X10 and the receiver R_X12 for communication. In general, a cable has a characteristic impedance Z_Φ. If the input impedance Z_in, at the input terminal of the receiver R_X12 does not match the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 14, signal reflection may occur which may distort signals. Therefore, the input impedance Z_inof the receiver R_X12 must be properly adjusted to match the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 14, so as to reduce signal reflection and prevent signals from distortion.

[0006] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are schematic diagrams showing various conventional impedance matching circuits in accordance with the prior art. In FIG. 2A, Z₁₀₁denotes the characteristic impedance of a cable 202, Z_indenotes the input impedance 206 viewed at the input terminal of the receiver R_X208, and R₁₀₁denotes a stable resistor 204 interposed between the input terminal of the receiver R_X208 and a voltage source V_dd. Generally, the input impedance Z_in206 at the input terminal of the receiver R_X208 is relatively large. More particularly, the resistance of the input impedance Z_in206 is much larger than that of the stable resistor R₁₀₁204. Hence, the parallel connection of the stable resistor R₁₀₁204 and the input impedance Z_in206 results in a resistance value approximately equal to that of the stable resistor R₁₀₁204. When the resistance of the stable resistor R₁₀₁204 is determined to be equal to that of the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 202, impedance matching can be achieved.

[0007] In FIG. 2B, Z₁₀₁denotes the characteristic impedance of the cable 212, Z_indenotes the input impedance 216 viewed at the input terminal of the receiver R_X218, and R₁₀₁denotes the stable resistor 214 interposed between the input terminal of the receiver R_X218 and the ground. Generally, the input impedance Z_in216 at the input terminal of the receiver R_X218 is relatively large. More particularly, the resistance of the input impedance Z_in216 is much larger than that of the stable resistor R₁₀₁214. Hence, the parallel connection of the stable resistor R₁₀₁214 and the input impedance Z_in216 results in a resistance value approximately equal to that of the stable resistor R₁₀₁214. When the resistance of the stable resistor R₁₀₁204 is determined to be equal to that of the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 212, impedance matching can be achieved.

[0008] In FIG. 2C, Z₁₀₁denotes the characteristic impedance of a cable 222, and Z_indenotes the input impedance 226 viewed at the input terminal of the receiver R_X228. The input terminal of the receiver R_X228 is connected to the drain of a p-channel MOSFET (abbreviated as “PMOS” hereinafter) 224. The source of the PMOS 224 is connected to a voltage source V_dd, while the gate of the PMOS 224 is connected to the control terminal of a feedback control circuit 225. A precise resistor R_ext227 is interposed between the signal terminal of the feedback control circuit 225 and the voltage source V_dd. R_effdenotes the equivalent resistance viewed at the drain of the PMOS 224, therefore the resistance of the precise resistor R_ext227 is expressed as R_ext=α·R_eff, where the value of α is controlled by the feedback control circuit 225. Generally, the input impedance Z_in226 at the input terminal of the receiver R_X228 is relatively large. More particularly, the resistance of the input impedance Z_in226 is much larger than the equivalent resistance R_effviewed at the drain of the PMOS 224. Hence, the parallel connection of the equivalent resistance R_effand the input impedance Z_in226 results in a resistance value approximately equal to the equivalent resistance R_effWhen the equivalent resistance R_effis determined to be equal to that of the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 222, impedance matching can be achieved.

[0009] In FIG. 2D, Z₁₀₁denotes the characteristic impedance of a cable 232, and Z_indenotes the input impedance 236 viewed at the input terminal of the receiver R_X238. The input terminal of the receiver R_X238 is connected to the drain of an n-channel MOSFET (abbreviated as “NMOS” hereinafter) 234. The source of the NMOS 234 is connected to the ground, while the gate of the NMOS 234 is connected to the control terminal of a feedback control circuit 235. A precise resistor R_ext237 is interposed between the signal terminal of the feedback control circuit 235 and the ground. R_effdenotes the equivalent resistance viewed at the drain of the NMOS 234, therefore the resistance of the precise resistor R_ext237 is expressed as R_ext=β·R_effwhere the value of β is controlled by the feedback control circuit 235. Generally, the input impedance Z_in236 at the input terminal of the receiver R_X238 is relatively large. More particularly, the resistance of the input impedance Z_in236 is much larger than the equivalent resistance R_effviewed at the drain of the NMOS 234. Hence, the parallel connection of the equivalent resistance R_effand the input impedance Z_in236 results in a resistance value approximately equal to the equivalent resistance R_eff. When the equivalent resistance R_effis determined to be equal to that of the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 232, impedance matching can be achieved.

[0010] From FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D, the stable resistor R₁₀₁and the precise resistor R_exthave to change as the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable varies. When there are a considerable number of cables, the number of the stable resistors increases as the number of cables increases, resulting in increased fabrication cost and complexity of the impedance matching circuit.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another conventional impedance matching circuit in the prior art. In FIG. 3, R_curdenotes a built-in/external bias resistor 302 for providing the transistor mib 304 with the current I_bias. A current mirror circuit is composed of the transistor mdrz 306, the transistor mb7 308, the transistor mdlz 310, the transistor mdri 312, the transistor ma7 314, the transistor mdli 316 and the transistor mib 304. Since all the gates of the above transistors are connected together, the current in the current mirror is proportional to the bias current I_biasaccording to the W/L ratio of the transistors.

[0012] The gate voltage V_refof both the transistor muri 318 and the transistor mulz 320 is a reference voltage, the potential level of which is ΔV lower than that of the voltage source V_dd. The transistor muli 322, the transistor muri 318, the transistor mulz 320 and the transistor murz 324 are used for level-shifting, that is, making the gate voltage V_refof the transistors decrease to a voltage value approximately equal to the threshold voltage and then outputting an output voltage (i.e., as a source follower).

[0013] An operational amplifier with an output voltage V_oais composed of the transistor mal 326, the transistor ma2 328, the transistor ma3 330, the transistor ma4 332, and the transistor ma5 334. The gate voltage V_refis level-shifted by the transistor muri 318 and then applied to the gate of the transistor ma2 328 through the node ka2. For the output voltage V_oa, a negative feedback circuit (where the capacitor mca 340 serves as a frequency compensation capacitor for stabilizing the operational amplifier) is formed of the transistor mna2 336, the transistor mna1 338, the gate voltage V_ref, and the node ka1. Hence, the voltage at the node ka1 is equal to that at the node ka2, where the former is a voltage obtained by level shifting the voltage V_extand the latter is a voltage obtained by level shifting the voltage V_refTherefore, the voltage V_extis equal to voltage V_ref.

[0014] Another operational amplifier with an output voltage V_obis composed of the transistor mb1 342, the transistor mb2 344, the transistor mb3 346, the transistor mb4 348, and the transistor mb5 350. The gate voltage V_refis level-shifted by the transistor mulz 320 and then applied to the gate of the transistor mb2 344 through the node kb2. For the output voltage V_ob, a negative feedback circuit (where the capacitor mcb 354 serves as a frequency compensation capacitor for stabilizing the operational amplifier) is formed of the transistor mz0 352, the voltage V_xx, the transistor murz 324, and the node kb1. Hence, the voltage at the node kb1 is equal to that at the node kb2, where the former is a voltage obtained by level shifting the voltage V_xxand the latter is a voltage obtained by level shifting the voltage V_ref. Therefore, the voltage V_xxis equal to voltage V_ref.

[0015] The gate of the transistor mna2 336 is connected to the gate of the transistor mnb2 356. Therefore, the current flowing through the transistor mna2 336 is equal to the current flowing through the transistor mnb2 356, and the current flowing through the resistor R_ext358 is equal to the current flowing through the transistor mz0 352, which means that the resistance value of the resistor R_ext358 is equal to the equivalent resistance of the transistor mz0 352.

[0016] The circuit as shown in FIG. 3 is characterized in that V_ext=V_ref=V_xxand that the current flowing through the resistor R_ext358 is equal to the current flowing through the transistor mz0 352. Therefore, the equivalent resistance of the transistor mz0 352 can be regarded equal to the resistance value of the resistor R_ext358, even though it takes two operational amplifiers to meet the above conditions.

[0017] Let us assume that the width of the transistor mz0 352 is equal to W_p, the width of the transistor mlp1 360 is equal to 10W_p, the width of the transistor mlp2 362 is equal to W_p, the width of the transistor mnb2 356 is equal to W_s, the width of the transistor mnx 364 is equal to 11W_sand the gate of the transistor mnb2 356 is connected to the gate of the transistor mnx 364. As a result, the current flowing through the transistor mnx 364 is 11 times the current flowing through the transistor mnb2 356, and the current flowing through the transistor mlp1 360 is 10 times the current flowing through the transistor mz0 352. In addition, the current flowing through the transistor mlp2 362 is equal to the current flowing through the transistor mz0 352 (because the gate of the transistor mlp1 360, the gate of the transistor mlp2 362 and the gate of the transistor mz0 352 are connected). Therefore, the equivalent resistance viewed at the node datab towards the voltage source V_ddis one tenth of the equivalent resistance of the transistor mz0 352 and the equivalent resistance viewed towards the ground approaches infinity. Accordingly, the equivalent resistance at the node datab is equal to ({fraction (1/10)})*R_ext//infinity=({fraction (1/10)})*R_ext. (wherein the term “//” means parallel)

[0018] However, there are still some problems related to the prior art impedance matching circuit in that: (1) the resistance for impedance matching of the impedance matching circuit as well as the resistor R_extshould change when the characteristic impedance of the cable varies; (2) two operational amplifiers are required to complete a negative feedback circuit so that the fabrication cost as well as the complexity may increase; and (3) the resistance value for impedance matching of the impedance matching circuit can not be changed by simply changing the voltage V_refof the impedance matching circuit.

[0019] Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an impedance matching circuit with adjustable resistance for facilitating impedance matching between the characteristic impedance of a cable and the input impedance at the input terminal of a receiver for data transmission even when the characteristic impedance of the cable varies.

[0020] In order to achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention provides an impedance matching circuit with adjustable resistance for facilitating impedance matching between the characteristic impedance of a cable and the input impedance at the input terminal of a receiver for data transmission. The impedance matching circuit comprises: a first transistor, a second transistor, a resistor and a negative feedback control circuit. The first transistor includes a power supply terminal, a control terminal and a load terminal, wherein the power supply terminal of the first transistor is connected to a voltage supply, and the load terminal of the first transistor is connected to an input terminal of the receiver. The second transistor includes a power supply terminal, a control terminal and a load terminal, wherein the power supply terminal of the second transistor is connected to a voltage supply, and the control terminal of the second transistor is connected to the control terminal of the first transistor. One terminal of the resistor is connected to the load terminal of the second transistor, while the other terminal is connected to the ground. An inverting input terminal of the negative feedback control circuit receives an adjustable reference voltage, a non-inverting input terminal of the negative feedback control circuit is connected to the load terminal of the second transistor, and an output terminal of the negative feedback control circuit is connected to the control terminal of the second transistor. When the characteristic impedance of the cable varies, the equivalent resistance of the impedance matching circuit can be kept equal to the resistance of the varied characteristic impedance of the cable by adjusting the reference voltage.

[0021] It is preferable that the negative feedback control circuit can be implemented by using one of an operational amplifier, a differential amplifier, and an inverter amplifier.

[0022] It is preferable that the impedance matching circuit further comprises: a multiplexer. The multiplexer includes a select terminal and a signal output terminal, wherein the multiplexer receives a plurality of voltage signals having different magnitudes, selects one from the plurality of voltage signals according to a select signal received by the select terminal, and then outputs the voltage signal as the reference voltage into the inverting input terminal of the negative feedback control circuit.

[0023] It is preferable that the negative feedback control circuit further comprises a reference voltage generator for generating the voltage signals to be output to the multiplexer.

[0024] It is preferable that the first transistor is a p-channel MOSFET and the second transistor is a p-channel MOSFET.

[0025] In order to achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention provides an impedance matching circuit with adjustable resistance for facilitating impedance matching between the characteristic impedance of a cable and the input impedance at the input terminal of a receiver for data transmission. The impedance matching circuit comprises: a first transistor, a second transistor, a resistor and a negative feedback control circuit. The first transistor includes a power supply terminal, a control terminal and a load terminal, wherein the power supply terminal of the first transistor is connected to an input terminal of the receiver, and the load terminal of the first transistor is connected to the ground. One terminal of the resistor is connected to a voltage source. The second transistor includes a power supply terminal, a control terminal and a load terminal, wherein the power supply terminal of the second transistor is connected to another terminal of the resistor, the control terminal of the second transistor is connected to the control terminal of the first transistor, and the load terminal of the second transistor is connected to the ground. An inverting input terminal of the negative feedback control circuit receives an adjustable reference voltage, a non-inverting input terminal of the negative feedback control circuit is connected to the power supply terminal of the second transistor, and an output terminal of the negative feedback control circuit is connected to the control terminal of the second transistor. When the characteristic impedance of the cable varies, the equivalent resistance of the impedance matching circuit can be kept equal to the resistance of the varied characteristic impedance of the cable by adjusting the reference voltage.

[0026] It is preferable that the negative feedback control circuit can be implemented by using one of an operational amplifier, a differential amplifier, and an inverter amplifier.

[0027] It is preferable that the impedance matching circuit further comprises: a multiplexer. The multiplexer includes a select terminal and a signal output terminal, wherein the multiplexer receives a plurality of voltage signals having different magnitudes, selects one from the plurality of voltage signals according to a select signal received by the select terminal, and then outputs the voltage signal as the reference voltage into the inverting input terminal of the negative feedback control circuit.

[0028] It is preferable that the negative feedback control circuit further comprises a reference voltage generator for generating the voltage signals to be output to the multiplexer.

[0029] It is preferable that the first transistor is an n-channel MOSFET and the second transistor is an n-channel MOSFET.

[0030] Other and further features, advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent in the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not to be restrictive of the invention. The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention in general terms. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the disclosure.

[0031] The objects, spirits and advantages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood by the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptions, wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a data transmission system;

[0033] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are schematic diagrams showing various conventional impedance matching circuits in accordance with the prior art;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another conventional impedance matching circuit in the prior art;

[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an impedance matching circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an impedance matching circuit in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The present invention providing an impedance matching circuit can be exemplified by the preferred embodiments as described hereinafter.

[0038] Embodiment I

[0039] Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram showing an impedance matching circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, an impedance matching circuit 400 with adjustable resistance is used for facilitating impedance matching between the characteristic impedance of a cable 402 and the input impedance at the input terminal of a receiver 404 for data transmission. The impedance matching circuit 400 is described hereinafter.

[0040] The source of the p-channel MOSFET (abbreviated as “PMOS” hereinafter) 406 is connected to the voltage source V_ddand the drain of the PMOS 406 is connected to an input terminal of the receiver 404. The source of the PMOS 408 is connected to the voltage source V_ddand the gate of the PMOS 408 is connected to the gate of the PMOS 406. One terminal of the resistor R_ext410 is connected to the drain of the PMOS 408 and the other terminal of the resistor R_ext410 is connected to the ground. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 412 receives a reference voltage V_ref, the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 412 is connected to the drain of the PMOS 408, and the output terminal of the operational amplifier 412 is connected to the gate of the PMOS 408. The select terminal of the multiplexer 414 receives a select signal SEL, and the signal output terminal outputs the reference voltage V_refto the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 412. Moreover, The reference voltage generator 416 includes a plurality of voltage output terminals for outputting the reference voltage V_refto the signal input terminal of the multiplexer 414.

[0041] In FIG. 4, the reference voltage at the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 412 is expressed as V_ref=α·V_dd, where 0<α≦1. A negative feedback circuit is formed of the PMOS 406, the PMOS 408, and the resistor R_ext410. According to the virtual short circuit theory, we obtain V_ref=α·V_dd=V_ext, where V_extis the voltage across the drain of the PMOS 408 and the resistor R_ext410. Assuming that the equivalent resistance viewed at the drain of the PMOS 408 is R_eq, we obtain the voltage $V_{\mathrm{ext}}=\frac{R_{\mathrm{ext}}}{R_{\mathrm{ext}}+R_{\mathrm{eq}}}·V_{\mathrm{dd}}.$

[0042] That is $\alpha =\frac{R_{\mathrm{ext}}}{R_{\mathrm{ext}}+R_{\mathrm{eq}}}$

[0043] and the equivalent resistance $R_{\mathrm{eq}}=\frac{1-\alpha }{\alpha }·R_{\mathrm{ext}}.$

[0044] Let us assume that the aspect ratio of the PMOS 406 is ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{P1}},$

[0045] the aspect ratio of the PMOS 408 is ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{P2}},$

[0046] and the ratio between ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{P1}}$

[0047] and ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{P2}}$

[0048] is x, then ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{P1}}=x·{\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{P2}}.$

[0049] Let us assume that R₁₀₁denotes the equivalent resistance viewed at the drain of the PMOS 406, where $\begin{array}{c}{R}_{\Phi }=\frac{1}{{\mu }_P·C_{\mathrm{ox}}·{\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{P1}}·\left(V_{\mathrm{sg1}}-\left|V_{\mathrm{tP}}\right|\right)}\\ R_{\mathrm{eq}}=\frac{1}{{\mu }_P·C_{\mathrm{ox}}·{\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{P2}}·\left(V_{\mathrm{sg2}}-\left|V_{\mathrm{tP}}\right|\right)}\\ V_{\mathrm{sg1}}=V_{\mathrm{sg2}}\\ \Rightarrow R_{\Phi }=\frac{1}{x}·R_{\mathrm{eq}}\\ \Rightarrow R_{\Phi }=\frac{1}{x}·\frac{1-\alpha }{\alpha }{R}_{\mathrm{ext}}\end{array}$

[0050] where, μ_pis the carrier mobility, C_oxis the electric capacitance per unit area at the gate, V_sg1and V_sg2are the voltage drops across the source and the gate, and |V_tp| is the threshold voltage.

[0051] Therefore, when the input impedance Z_in418 at the input terminal of the receiver 404 is relatively large, the parallel connection of the equivalent resistance R₁₀₁of the impedance matching circuit 400 and the input impedance Z_in418 results in a resistance value approximately equal to equivalent resistance R₁₀₁of the impedance matching circuit 400. When the resistance of equivalent resistance R₁₀₁of the impedance matching circuit 400 is determined to be equal to that of the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 402, impedance matching can be achieved.

[0052] When the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 402 varies, the multiplexer 414 of the impedance matching circuit 400 outputs a reference voltage V_refwith a different magnitude to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 412. As the V_refat the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 412 is adjusted, the value of α as well as the value of R_eqis also adjusted. Accordingly, the value of the equivalent resistance R₁₀₁is adjusted to match the varied characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 402. Therefore, when the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 402 varies, the multiplexer 414 selects a suitable reference voltage V_reffrom the reference voltage generator 416 to change the equivalent resistance R₁₀₁of the impedance matching circuit 400 such that the equivalent resistance R₁₀₁is equal to the resistance value of the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 402. Therefore, impedance matching is achieved.

[0053] Embodiment II

[0054] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an impedance matching circuit in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, an impedance matching circuit 500 with adjustable resistance is used for facilitating impedance matching between the characteristic impedance of a cable 502 and the input impedance at the input terminal of a receiver 504 for data transmission. The impedance matching circuit 500 is described hereinafter.

[0055] The source of the n-channel MOSFET (abbreviated as “NMOS” hereinafter) 506 is connected to the ground and the drain of the NMOS 506 is connected to an input terminal of the receiver 504. The source of the NMOS 508 is connected to the ground and the gate of the NMOS 508 is connected to the gate of the NMOS 506. One terminal of the resistor R_ext510 is connected to the drain of the NMOS 508 and the other terminal of the resistor R_ext510 is connected to the voltage source V_dd. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 512 receives a reference voltage V_refthe non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 512 is connected to the drain of the NMOS 508, and the output terminal of the operational amplifier 512 is connected to the gate of the NMOS 508. The select terminal of the multiplexer 514 receives a select signal SEL, and the signal output terminal outputs the reference voltage V_refto the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 512. Moreover, The reference voltage generator 516 includes a plurality of voltage output terminals for outputting the reference voltage V_refto the signal input terminal of the multiplexer 514.

[0056] In FIG. 5, the reference voltage at the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 512 is expressed as V_ref=β·V_dd, where 0<β≦1. A negative feedback circuit is formed of the NMOS 506, the NMOS 508, and the resistor R_ext510. According to the virtual short circuit theory, we obtain V_ref=β·V_dd=V_ext, where V_extis the voltage across the drain of the NMOS 508 and the resistor R_ext510. Assuming that the equivalent resistance viewed at the drain of the NMOS 508 is R_eq. we obtain the voltage $V_{\mathrm{ext}}=\frac{R_{\mathrm{ext}}}{R_{\mathrm{ext}}+R_{\mathrm{eq}}}·V_{\mathrm{dd}}.$

[0057] That is, $\beta =\frac{R_{\mathrm{ext}}}{R_{\mathrm{ext}}+R_{\mathrm{eq}}}$

[0058] and the equivalent resistance $R_{\mathrm{eq}}=\frac{1-\beta }{\beta }·R_{\mathrm{ext}}.$

[0059] Let us assume that the aspect ratio of the NMOS 506 is ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{n1}},$

[0060] the aspect ratio of the NMOS 508 is ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{n2}},$

[0061] and the ratio between ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{n1}}$

[0062] and ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{n2}}$

[0063] is y, then ${\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{n1}}=y·{\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{n2}}.$

[0064] Let us assume that R₁₀₁denotes the equivalent resistance viewed at the drain of the NMOS 506, where $\begin{array}{c}{R}_{\Phi }=\frac{1}{{\mu }_n·C_{\mathrm{ox}}·{\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{n1}}·\left(V_{\mathrm{gs1}}-\left|V_{\mathrm{tn}}\right|\right)}\\ R_{\mathrm{eq}}=\frac{1}{{\mu }_n·C_{\mathrm{ox}}·{\left(\frac{W}{L}\right)}_{\mathrm{n2}}·\left(V_{\mathrm{gs2}}-\left|V_{\mathrm{tn}}\right|\right)}\\ V_{\mathrm{sg1}}=V_{\mathrm{sg2}}\end{array}\Rightarrow R_{\Phi }=\frac{1}{y}·R_{\mathrm{eq}}\Rightarrow R_{\Phi }=\frac{1}{y}·\frac{1-\beta }{\beta }{R}_{\mathrm{ext}}$

[0065] where, μ_nis the carrier mobility, C_oxis the electric capacitance per unit area at the gate, V_gs1and V_gS2are the voltage drops across the source and the gate, and |V_in| is the threshold voltage.

[0066] Therefore, when the input impedance Z_in518 at the input terminal of the receiver 504 is relatively large, the parallel connection of the equivalent resistance R₁₀₁of the impedance matching circuit 500 and the input impedance Z_in518 results in a resistance value approximately equal to equivalent resistance R₁₀₁of the impedance matching circuit 500. When the resistance of equivalent resistance R₁₀₁of the impedance matching circuit 500 is determined to be equal to that of the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 502, impedance matching can be achieved.

[0067] When the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 502 varies, the multiplexer 514 of the impedance matching circuit 500 outputs a reference voltage V_refwith a different magnitude to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 512. As the V_refat the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 512 is adjusted, the value of β as well as the value of R_eqis also adjusted. Accordingly, the value of the equivalent resistance R₁₀₁is adjusted to match the varied characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 502. Therefore, when the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 502 varies, the multiplexer 514 selects a suitable reference voltage V_reffrom the reference voltage generator 516 to change the equivalent resistance R₁₀₁of the impedance matching circuit 500 such that the equivalent resistance R₁₀₁is equal to the resistance value of the characteristic impedance Z₁₀₁of the cable 502. Therefore, impedance matching is achieved.

[0068] According to the above discussion, the present invention discloses an impedance matching circuit with adjustable resistance for facilitating impedance matching between the characteristic impedance of a cable and the input impedance at the input terminal of a receiver for data transmission even when the characteristic impedance of the cable varies. Therefore, the present invention has been examined to be progressive, advantageous and applicable to the industry.

[0069] Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible for use in numerous other embodiments that will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. This invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.