JPH0488520A - Signal transmission equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform signal transmission among information processing equipment with different interfaces by providing a buffer circuit in a parallel signal transmission part. CONSTITUTION:Parallel signals sent from first information processing equipment 1 and arriving via a serial signal transmission part 10 and a serial signal transmission line 31 and converted by a serial-parallel conversion circuit 22 are accumulated transiently in a buffer circuit 24. The parallel signals accumulated in the buffer circuit 24 are transmitted to second information processing equipment 2 via a parallel signal interface 21 corresponding to the processing speed of the second information processing equipment 2. Thereby, it is possible to perform the processing operation of the first information processing equipment 1 independently from that of the second information processing equipment 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a transmission device used for signal transmission between various information processing devices such as computers and peripheral devices, and particularly relates to an information processing device having different interfaces. The present invention relates to a transmission device suitable for connecting devices.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, when transmitting signals between various information processing devices such as computers and their peripheral devices, parallel transmission represented by the Centronics interface and serial transmission represented by the R8-232C interface were generally used. It is used. In addition, in order to transmit signals between information processing equipment having a serial signal interface and information processing equipment having a parallel signal interface, a transmission device equipped with a serial/parallel conversion circuit and a parallel/serial conversion circuit is used. It is being

FIG. 3 shows a conventional example of a transmission device that connects information processing devices having different interfaces. The first information processing device 1 has a serial signal interface,
The second information processing device 2 has a parallel signal interface.

The transmission device includes a serial signal transmission section 10. Parallel signal transmission section 20
．． It is composed of a serial signal transmission line 30 (31, 32) and an electric signal transmission line 40, 50 (generally a connector section, which is so short that it can be ignored as a line).

The serial signal sent from the first information processing device 1 reaches the serial signal interface 11 in the serial signal transmission section 10 via the electrical signal transmission line 40, and is further transmitted in parallel via the serial signal transmission line 31. Part 20 is reached. In this parallel signal transmission section 20, a serial/parallel signal conversion circuit 22
converts a serial signal into a parallel signal. Then, this parallel signal reaches the second information processing device 2 via the parallel signal interface 21 and the electrical signal transmission line 50.

On the other hand, the parallel signal sent from the second information processing device 2 reaches the parallel signal interface 21 in the parallel signal transmission unit 20 via the electrical signal transmission path 50, and connects the parallel/serial signal in the parallel signal transmission unit 20. The conversion circuit 23 converts the signal into a serial signal.

This serial signal then reaches the serial signal transmission section 10 via the serial signal transmission line 32. This serial signal then reaches the first information processing device 1 via the serial signal interface 11 of the serial signal transmission unit 10 and the electrical signal transmission path 40 .

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, this type of device has the following problems. That is, when the processing speed of the first information processing device 1 exceeds the processing speed of the second information processing device 2, the first information processing device 1 is synchronized with the processing speed of the second information processing device 2. Therefore, the actual processing speed of the first information processing device 1 is reduced. Conversely, if the processing speed of the second information processing device 2 exceeds the processing speed of the first information processing device 1, the second information processing device 2 synchronizes with the processing speed of the first information processing device 1. Therefore, the actual processing speed of the second information processing device 2 is reduced. In other words, there is a problem in that the actual processing speed of the information processing device with the faster processing speed is limited by the processing speed of the information processing device with the slower processing speed.

Furthermore, the following problem also occurs in the apparatus shown in FIG. Since the serial signal transmission line 30 is an electric wire cable, it easily picks up electromagnetic noise, which has the disadvantage of causing deterioration in the quality of the transmitted signal and malfunction of the information processing equipment.

Another disadvantage is that the electromagnetic noise generated from the serial signal transmission line 30 has a negative effect on surrounding radio equipment and electronic equipment. Furthermore, in the case of the serial signal transmission line 30 made of an electric wire cable, when the line length becomes long, not only the signal becomes dull but also attenuated. For this reason, there was a problem in that long-distance transmission was impossible.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to enable signal transmission between information processing devices having different interfaces, and to enable signal transmission between information processing devices having different Even if
In addition to the above, another object of the present invention is to provide a signal transmission device that can prevent a decrease in the processing speed of an information processing device. The object of the present invention is to provide a signal transmission device that enables longer distance transmission.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The gist of the present invention is to provide a buffer circuit to prevent a decrease in the processing speed of information processing equipment, and to convert electrical signals into optical signals to enable long-distance transmission. The goal is to perform the transmission.

That is, the present invention (claim 1) provides a serial signal transmission unit connected to a first information processing device having a serial signal interface, and a parallel signal transmission unit connected to a second information processing device having a parallel signal interface. In a signal transmission device comprising a transmission section and a serial signal transmission line connected between each of these signal transmission sections, the serial signal transmission section is constituted by a serial signal interface, and the parallel signal transmission section is configured to include: a parallel signal interface connected to a second information processing device; a serial/parallel conversion circuit that converts the serial signal input through the serial signal transmission line into a parallel signal and supplies the parallel signal interface; a parallel/serial conversion circuit that converts the parallel signal obtained through the parallel signal interface into a serial signal and outputs the serial signal to the serial signal transmission line; and at least one of the conversion circuits and the parallel signal interface. The buffer circuit is inserted to temporarily store parallel signals.

The present invention (claim 2) also provides a serial signal transmission unit connected to a first information processing device having a serial signal interface, and a parallel signal transmission unit connected to a second information processing device having a parallel signal interface. In a signal transmission device comprising a signal transmission section and a serial signal transmission line connected between each of these signal transmission sections, the serial signal transmission line is constituted by an optical fiber, and the serial signal transmission section is 1
a serial signal interface connected to an information processing device; and an electrical/optical conversion circuit that converts an electrical signal (serial signal) obtained through the serial signal interface into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the serial signal transmission line. The optical signal input from the serial signal transmission line is converted into an electrical signal (serial signal).
Optical light that is converted into
The parallel signal transmission section is configured to convert optical signals inputted via a parallel signal interface connected to a second information processing device and the serial signal transmission line into electrical signals (serial A serial/parallel conversion circuit converts the serial signal obtained through the electrical conversion circuit into a parallel signal and supplies it to the parallel signal interface, and a parallel signal interface. A parallel/parallel signal that converts the parallel signal obtained through the
A serial conversion circuit, an electrical/optical conversion circuit that converts an electrical signal (serial signal) obtained through the parallel/serial conversion circuit into an optical signal and outputs it to a serial signal transmission line, a parallel signal interface, and a serial/optical conversion circuit. The buffer circuit is inserted between at least one of the parallel conversion circuit and the parallel/serial conversion circuit to temporarily store parallel signals.

(Function) In the present invention (claims 1 and 2), the buffer circuit interposed between the parallel signal interface of the parallel signal transmission section and the serial/parallel conversion circuit is provided with a signal sent from the first information processing device. Parallel signals converted by the serial/parallel conversion circuit are accumulated.

The parallel signals accumulated in this buffer circuit are
Depending on the processing speed of the second information processing device, the signal is transmitted to the second information processing device via the parallel signal interface of the parallel signal transmission section.

Therefore, even if the first information processing device has faster processing speed than the second information processing device, the processing speed is limited by the processing speed of the first information processing device or the processing speed of the second information processing device. This allows the first information processing device to maintain its original processing speed.

Further, a signal sent from the second information processing device is accumulated in a buffer circuit interposed between the parallel signal interface and the parallel/serial conversion circuit. Then, the signals accumulated in the buffer circuit are converted into serial signals by a parallel/serial conversion circuit according to the processing speed of the first information processing device, and are transmitted to the first information processing device via the serial signal interface of the serial signal transmission section. information processing equipment.

Therefore, even if the second information processing device has a faster processing speed than the first information processing device, the processing speed of the second information processing device is limited by the processing speed of the first information processing device. This allows the second information processing device to maintain its original processing speed.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 2), by providing an electrical/optical conversion circuit and an optical/electrical conversion circuit in the serial signal transmission section and the parallel signal transmission section, respectively, the serial signal transmission between the respective signal transmission sections Optical transmission can be performed by forming the transmission line with an optical signal transmission line such as an optical fiber. In this case, since the series signal transmission line is not affected by electromagnetic noise, highly reliable signal transmission is possible, and since the series signal transmission line does not generate electromagnetic noise, there is no negative impact on surrounding equipment. There's nothing to do.

In addition, since optical transmission lines do not cause signal dullness, long-distance transmission is possible, and signal transmission between distant information processing devices becomes possible.

(Example) Hereinafter, details of the present invention will be explained with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a signal transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a first information processing device equipped with a serial signal interface (not shown), and a serial signal transmission section 1o equipped with a serial signal interface 11 is connected to this information processing device 1. . 2 is a second information processing device equipped with a parallel signal interface (not shown), and a parallel signal transmission section 2o is connected to this information processing device 2. The parallel signal transmission unit 2o includes a parallel signal interface 21. connected to the information processing device 2. Serial/parallel conversion circuit 22. Parallel/serial conversion circuit 23 and buffer circuit 2
4.25.

Further, the serial signal transmission section 1o and the parallel signal transmission section 20 are connected by a serial signal transmission line 30 (31, 32). Furthermore, the first information processing device 1 and the serial signal transmission section 10 are connected by an electrical signal transmission path 40, and the second information processing device 2 and the parallel signal transmission section 20 are connected by an electrical signal transmission path 5o. There is.

The basic configuration is the same as the conventional device shown in FIG. providing a first buffer circuit 24;
Furthermore, a second buffer circuit 25 is provided between the parallel signal interface 21 and the parallel/serial conversion circuit 23.

The buffer circuit 24 temporarily receives a parallel signal sent from the first information processing device 1, arrives via the serial signal transmission section 10 and the serial signal transmission line 31, and is converted by the serial/parallel conversion circuit 22. Accumulated. The parallel signals accumulated in the buffer circuit 24 are then transmitted to the second information processing device 2 via the parallel signal interface 21 according to the processing speed of the second information processing device 2. This results in
The first information processing device 1 can perform processing operations independently of the processing operations of the second information processing device 2.

The parallel signals sent from the second information processing device 2 and obtained via the parallel signal interface 21 are temporarily stored in the buffer circuit 25 . The parallel signals accumulated in the buffer circuit 25 are converted into serial signals by the parallel/serial conversion circuit 23 according to the processing speed of the first information processing device 1, and the parallel signals are converted into serial signals by the serial signal transmission line 32 and the serial signal transmission section. 10 to the first information processing device 1. This allows the second information processing device 2 to perform processing operations independently of the processing operations of the first information processing device 1.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the buffer circuits 24.25 are provided in the parallel signal transmission unit 20 to temporarily store the signals sent from the first and second information processing devices 1.2. Both the first and second information processing devices 1.2 can perform signal transmission operations without being limited by the processing speed of other information processing devices. Therefore, even if the processing speeds of the first and second information processing devices 1.2 are different, the faster processing speed is not limited by the slower processing speed, and each information processing device 1. Processing can be performed at the original processing speed of .2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above as follows:
The objective is to perform serial transmission between the serial signal transmission section 10 and the parallel signal transmission section 20 using optical signals instead of electrical signals. That is, the serial signal transmission line 60 (61, 62) is constituted by an optical fiber, and the serial signal transmission section 10 and the parallel signal transmission section 20 include an electric/optical conversion circuit (Elo) that converts an electrical signal into an optical signal. and an optical/electrical conversion circuit (0/E) that converts optical signals into electrical signals.

Specifically, in the serial signal transmission section 10, an electric/optical conversion circuit 12 and an optical/electrical conversion circuit 13 are provided. The serial signal obtained via the serial signal interface 11 is converted into an optical signal by the electrical/optical conversion circuit 12 and output to the serial signal transmission line 61. The optical signal input from the serial signal transmission line 62 is converted into an electrical signal by the optical/electrical conversion circuit 13 and supplied to the serial signal interface 11.

Furthermore, an optical/electrical conversion circuit 26 and an electric/optical conversion circuit 27 are provided within the parallel signal transmission section 20. The optical signal inputted from the serial signal transmission line 61 is converted into an electrical signal (serial signal) by the optical/electrical conversion circuit 26 and then converted into a serial signal.
is supplied to the parallel conversion circuit 22, and is also supplied to the parallel/serial conversion circuit 2.
The electric signal (serial signal) from 3 is converted into an optical signal by the electric/optical conversion circuit 27 and output to the serial signal transmission line 62.

In such a configuration, the electrical serial signal sent from the first information processing device 1 reaches the electrical/optical conversion circuit 12 via the serial signal interface 11. This electrical serial signal is appropriately modulated by the electrical/optical conversion circuit 12, converted into an optical serial signal by a light emitting diode, etc. provided in the electrical/optical conversion circuit 12, and output to the serial signal transmission line 61. The pre-purchased signal input to the parallel signal transmission section 20 via the serial signal transmission line 61 reaches the optical/electrical conversion circuit 26 .

This optical signal is converted into an electrical serial signal by a photodiode or the like provided in the optical/electrical conversion circuit 26, demodulated as appropriate, and then supplied to the serial/parallel conversion circuit 22.

On the other hand, the parallel signals sent from the second information processing device 2 are sent to the parallel signal interface 21 as in the previous embodiment.
After being stored in the buffer circuit 25 via the buffer circuit 25, the signal is supplied to the parallel/serial conversion circuit 23 and converted into a serial signal. This serial signal is then supplied to the electrical/optical conversion circuit 27. The serial electrical signal supplied to the electrical/optical conversion circuit 27 is appropriately modulated, and then converted into a pre-order signal by a light emitting diode or the like provided in the electrical/optical conversion circuit 27, and output to the serial signal transmission line 62. be done.

The signal input to the serial signal transmission section 10 via the serial signal transmission line 62 is supplied to the optical/electrical conversion circuit 13. This optical signal is converted into an electrical signal by a photodiode or the like provided in the optical/electrical conversion circuit 13, demodulated as appropriate, and then output to the first information processing device 1 via the serial interface 11. .

In this way, in this embodiment, the serial signal transmission section 10
An optical conversion circuit 12 and an optical/electrical conversion circuit 13 are provided, an optical/electrical conversion circuit 26 and an electrical/optical conversion circuit 27 are provided in the parallel signal transmission section 20, and a line 6 connects each transmission section 10.20.
Since an optical fiber is used as the optical fiber, optical transmission can be performed between the first and second information processing devices 1.2.

Therefore, since the series signal transmission line 60 is not affected by electromagnetic noise, highly reliable signal transmission is possible.Furthermore, since the series signal transmission line 60 does not generate electromagnetic noise, it has no adverse effect on surrounding equipment. It has no effect. Furthermore, since the serial signal transmission line 60 is an optical transmission line,
Since the signal does not become dull within the transmission line 60,
Long-distance transmission becomes possible, making it possible to transmit signals between distant information processing devices.

The first and second embodiments have been described above, but in the present invention, either embodiment may be selected depending on the usage status of the system by the user. For example, if the distance between the information processing devices is short or if there is no need to consider the influence of electromagnetic noise, the first embodiment may be adopted. In addition, if the distance between information processing equipment is long and long-distance transmission is required, if the information processing equipment is easily affected by surrounding electromagnetic noise, or if you do not want the surrounding electromagnetic noise to affect the surroundings, try to insulate the information processing equipment from each other. In such cases, the second embodiment in which the transmission line is an optical signal transmission line may be adopted.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In the embodiment, a buffer circuit is provided between the parallel signal interface of the parallel signal transmission section and the serial/parallel and parallel/serial conversion circuits, but one of the buffer circuits may be omitted depending on the usage status of the system. It is also possible to do so.

In addition, the parallel signals transmitted from the second information processing device are
In the case of a bit signal, if the 1-bit signal is sent from the first information processing device side, it is also possible to omit the serial/parallel conversion circuit. Furthermore, when the 1-bit signal is sent from the second information processing equipment side,
It is also possible to omit the serial conversion circuit. Also, the second
The serial signal transmission line in the embodiment is not necessarily limited to an optical fiber, but may be an optical signal transmission line capable of spatial transmission. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Effects of the Invention) As detailed above, according to the present invention (claims 1 and 2), by providing a buffer circuit in the parallel signal transmission section, signal transmission between information processing devices having different interfaces is made possible. , and even if the processing speeds of the information processing devices are different, it is possible to prevent the processing speed of the information processing devices from decreasing.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 2), in addition to the above configuration, an optical/electrical conversion circuit and an electrical/optical conversion circuit are provided in the parallel signal transmission section and the serial signal transmission section, so that optical signals can be transmitted between each signal transmission section. It is possible to perform transmission, prevent attenuation and quality deterioration of the transmitted signal, and enable longer distance transmission.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a signal transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a conventional block diagram. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a signal transmission device according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... First information processing device, 2... Second information processing device, 10... Serial signal transmission section, 11... Serial signal interface, 12.27.
...Electronic/optical conversion circuit, 13.26... Optical/electrical conversion circuit, 20... Parallel signal transmission section, 21... Parallel signal interface, ... Series/parallel conversion circuit, ... Average/ Serial conversion circuit, 25... Buffer circuit, serial signal transmission line, 50... Electric signal transmission line. Series signal transmission line (optical fiber) 30...40°60.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Signal transmission connected between a first information processing device having a serial signal interface and a second information processing device having a parallel signal interface, and used for signal transmission between these information processing devices In the device, a serial signal transmission section connected to the first information processing device, a parallel signal transmission section connected to the second information processing device, and a serial signal transmission line connected between each of these signal transmission sections. The serial signal transmission section includes a serial signal interface, and the parallel signal transmission section includes a parallel signal interface connected to a second information processing device and the serial signal transmission line. a serial/parallel conversion circuit that converts the serial signal inputted through the parallel signal interface into a parallel signal and supplies the parallel signal to the parallel signal interface; It is characterized by being composed of a parallel/serial conversion circuit that outputs to a transmission line, and a buffer circuit that is inserted at least one side between each of these conversion circuits and a parallel signal interface to temporarily accumulate parallel signals. signal transmission equipment. (2) Signal transmission connected between a first information processing device having a serial signal interface and a second information processing device having a parallel signal interface, and used for signal transmission between these information processing devices In the device, a serial signal transmission section connected to the first information processing device, a parallel signal transmission section connected to the second information processing device, and a serial signal transmission line connected between each of these signal transmission sections. The serial signal transmission line is composed of an optical signal transmission line, and the serial signal transmission section includes a serial signal interface connected to a first information processing device, and a serial signal interface connected to the first information processing device. An electric/electronic signal that converts the electrical signal (serial signal) obtained through the interface into an optical signal and outputs it to the serial signal transmission line.
The parallel signal transmission section is composed of an optical conversion circuit and an optical/electrical conversion circuit that converts an optical signal input from the serial signal transmission line into an electrical signal (serial signal) and supplies it to the serial signal interface. , a parallel signal interface connected to a second information processing device, an optical/electrical conversion circuit that converts an optical signal input via the serial signal transmission line into an electrical signal (serial signal), and A serial/parallel conversion circuit converts the serial signal obtained through the electrical conversion circuit into a parallel signal and supplies it to the parallel signal interface, and a parallel/parallel conversion circuit converts the parallel signal obtained via the parallel signal interface into a serial signal. A serial conversion circuit, an electrical/optical conversion circuit that converts an electrical signal (serial signal) obtained through this parallel/serial conversion circuit into an optical signal and outputs it to a serial signal transmission line, and a parallel signal interface and a serial/optical conversion circuit. 1. A signal transmission device comprising a buffer circuit inserted between a parallel conversion circuit and a parallel/serial conversion circuit to temporarily store parallel signals.