Marvell International Limited

Marvell Asia Pte., Ltd.

Daryl Hoot

William Lo

Dance Wu

Hong Yu Chou

Christopher Mash

An Ethernet communication device includes a data interface and circuitry. The data interface is configured for communicating with a neighbor device. The circuitry is configured to exchange Ethernet data frames with the neighbor device over the data interface, wherein successive data frames are separated in time by an Inter-Packet Gap (IPG) having at least a predefined minimal duration, and to further exchange with the neighbor device, over the data interface, during the IPG between Ethernet frames exchanged on the data interface, a wake-up/sleep command that instructs switching between an active mode and a sleep mode.

Ethernet PHY-MAC communication with in-band wake-up/sleep commands

A method and apparatus for selecting a media for communication in a network. The method includes (i) using a first autonegotiation circuit to attempt to establish a link over a first media of a first type, and (ii) simultaneously using a second autonegotiation circuit to attempt to establish a link over a second media of a second type, the second type being different from the first type. In response to establishing the link over the first media prior to establishing the link over the second media, the second autonegotiation circuit is powered down. In response to establishing the link over the second media prior to establishing the link over the first media, the first autonegotiation circuit is powered down.

Method and apparatus for selecting a media for communication in a network

A network device includes a media access controller (MAC) and a physical layer having an interface that communicates with the MAC. A first autonegotiation circuit attempts to establish a link using a first transceiver over a first media. A second autonegotiation circuit attempts to establish a link using a second transceiver over a second media. A media selector communicates with the interface and the first and second autonegotiation circuits. The media selector enables data flow from the first media to the MAC using the interface when a link is established first over the first media. The media selector enables data flow from the second media to the MAC using the interface when a link is established first over the second media.

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Daryl Hoot