Single-ended and differential signalling

[K_yongf]

Hi all,

What is the different between these two signalling technique? This might be a big topics discuss to. Kindly drop me some useful website link regarding the operation, advantages, how to calculated trace, simulation result and etc.

thanks

 

[emresel]

Hi;
In general differential signaling uses two wires and receiver end recovers by –simply- amplifying the difference.
Single ended signaling uses one wire and a common ground between receiving and sending ends.
The main advantage is differential signaling is immune to additive common noises and can be used in very low voltages –this also helps to reduce EMI-
It is common in hi speed buses ie DDR2 command and data interface clk synchronization signals are differential type.

Also have a check links below;
**broken link removed**
OMEGA ENGINEERING - Data Acquisition FAQ

 

[b00merang]

Hello,

The following document explains the difference between the 2 in enough details.

www.eda.org/ibis/cookbook/cookbook-v4.pdf

I hope it helps

 

[dick_freebird]

Actually both are "differential", operating off a difference. The difference (heh)
is, single ended works off the difference fromn reference ground (plus some
offset perhaps) and "differential" off the difference between two purposed
signals that are independent. Using "ground" as a reference embeds all kinds
of nastiness - longitudinal currents making offsets and noise, multiple other
actors coupling their own junk into one side of your signal, and so on. You
have half of your "difference" carrying mystery junk.

So calling out two explicit signals, and using a receiver which rejects the
common-mode garbage (as best it can) gives you some obvious benefits.
At the cost of some complexity, as usual.