Patent attributes
A network device comprises a hybrid-mode transmitter for transmitting a differential transmission signal at a first transmission rate or a second transmission rate. The network device includes a first mode channel and a second mode channel. The first mode channel includes a voltage mode driver and a current mode driver for outputting the differential transmission signal. The second mode channel includes a second mode driver, which is one of a voltage mode driver and a current mode driver. The network device transmits the differential transmission signal at the first transmission rate through the voltage mode driver of the first mode channel and the second mode driver. The network device transmits the differential transmission signal at the second transmission rate through at least one of the current mode driver and the voltage mode driverfirst mode channel.
