Broadcom Corporation

Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited

Gary S Huff

Andrew J Castellano

Howard A Baumer

Scott Sterling McDaniel

Kevin Brown

James Michael Muth

Richard G Thousand

John Louie

Walter Hurwitz

Maurice D Caldwell

Scott Mcdaniel

A communication device, method, and data transmission system are provided. An illustrative method is disclosed to include at least one data port configured to enable data transmission in compliance with a communication protocol. The communication device is further disclosed to include an Interpacket Gap (IPG) repair circuit configured to detect an IPG interval within a data stream that violates an IPG interval requirement defined by the communication protocol and, in response to detecting the IPG interval that violates the IPG interval requirement, perform an IPG repair on the data stream and bring the IPG interval into compliance with the IPG interval requirement.

System and method for performing interpacket gap repair for lossy protocols

A method and system for a multi-rate Media Access Control layer (MAC) to Physical layer (PHY) interface is provided. The method to provide a multi-rate Media Access Control layer (MAC) interface comprises receiving a first set of signals, sampling the first set of signals to determine a type of interface to be used to transmit or receive the first set of signals or a subset of the first set of signals, generating a select signal indicating type of interface to be used based on the sampling step and transmitting the first set of signals or a subset of the first set of signals using the interface indicated by the select signal. The method to provide a multi-rate Physical layer (PHY) interface comprises receiving a select signal from a Physical layer (PHY) layer indicating data rate of a first set of signals, selecting a first interface and turning off the second interface if the select signal indicates the first interface is to be used, selecting the second interface and turning off the first interface if the select signal indicates the second interface is to be used and transmitting the first set of signals using the second interface or a subset of the first set of signals using the first interface based on the select signal.

Multi-rate MAC to PHY interface

Methods and systems for operating a physical layer device ('PHY') in an Ethernet network include methods and systems for detecting active link partners and for selecting a mode of operation based on detected active link partners. The PHY monitors fiber link media and copper link media for active link partners. The PHY selects a mode of operation according to detected active link partners. For example, a copper mode of operation is selected, preferably through logic circuitry, when an active copper link partner is detected and an active fiber link partner is not detected. Similarly, a fiber mode of operation is selected, preferably through logic circuitry, when an active fiber link partner is detected and an active copper link partner is not detected. The PHY interfaces with the active copper link partner when the copper mode of operation is selected. Similarly, the PHY interfaces with the active fiber link partner when the fiber mode of operation is selected. The copper or fiber mode of operation can be prioritized for when active copper and fiber link partners are detected. The prioritized mode can be user selectable or factory set. The invention optionally powers down circuitry associated with an unselected mode of operation.

Auto detection of copper and fiber mode

A method and apparatus for generating a performance indicator in a high-speed communication system. A plurality of disparate communication status signals with differing formats from a transceiver are combined in a logic module to create a single link quality indicator signal. The link quality indicator signal is used to encode different operational states of the transceiver from fully operational, to marginally operational, to failed. The link quality indicator signal is advantageously employed to drive a LED creating a visual performance indicator.

Channel quality indicator for a communication system

A communications network includes a management device and a remote device. The remote device includes a physical layer device (PHY) coupled to a link partner. An independent station manager of the remote device provides the bi-directional exchange of management information between the PHY and a serial-to-parallel (S/P) interface connecting the remote device and the management device. A station manager of the management device provides the bi-directional exchange of management information between the S/P interface and a Media Access Controller (MAC) of the management device. The independent station manager and the station manager transmit initiation messages, formatted according to a message template of an Auto-Negotiation (AN) routine of the S/P interface reserved for customization, to reserve an embedded management channel for the transfer of management information. Management information messages, formatted according to a message template of the AN routine, are subsequently exchanged, thereby providing Auto-Negotiation of the PHY.

Apparatus and method of remote PHY auto-negotiation

Methods and systems for operating a physical layer device ('PHY') in an Ethernet network include methods and systems for detecting active link partners and for selecting a mode of operation based on detected active link partners, without user intervention. The PHY monitors fiber link media and copper link media for active link partners. The PHY selects a mode of operation according to detected active link partners. For example, a serial gigabit media independent ('SGMII') mode of operation is selected when an active copper link partner is detected and an active fiber link partner is not detected. Similarly, a serialize/deserialize (&#x201c;SerDes&#x201d;) pass-through mode of operation is selected when an active fiber link partner is detected and an active copper link partner is not detected. The PHY interfaces with the active copper link partner when the SGMII mode of operation is selected. Conversely, the PHY interfaces with the active fiber link partner when the SerDes pass-through mode of operation is selected. The SGMII or SerDes pass-through mode of operation can be prioritized for when active copper and fiber link partners are detected. The prioritized mode can be user selectable or factory set. The invention optionally powers down circuitry associated with an unselected mode of operation.

Auto-selection of SGMII or SerDes pass-through modes

A physical layer device (PLD), comprising: a first serializer-deserializer (SERDES) device having a first parallel port; a second SERDES device having a second parallel port; a third SERDES device having a third parallel port; and a path selector being selectively configurable to provide either (i) a first signal path between the first and second parallel ports, or (ii) a second signal path between the first and third parallel ports.

Physical layer device having a SERDES pass through mode

Performance indicator for a high-speed communication system

A communication system includes a first device and a second device that can advertise multiple capabilities using communication links. A first type of auto-negotiation between the first and second devices is performed using a first communication link between the devices. A second communication link between the devices is used to facilitate a second type of auto-negotiation. For example, the first communication link can include pairs A and B of an IEEE Std. 802.3 four twisted pair cable. The second communication link can include pairs C and D of the cable.

Apparatus and method for auto-negotiation in a communication system

Physical layer device having a serdes pass through mode

Auto-negotiation with a communication partner includes downgrading a set of advertised communications capabilities, e.g., IEEE 802.3 capabilities, when a link with the communication partners fails to support an advertised communications capability, e.g., wire-speed. One operation includes: (1) advertising a first set of communications capabilities; (2) arriving at a first common set of communications capabilities based upon the first set of communications capabilities; (3) attempting to establish a link according to the first common set of communications capabilities; (4) failing to establish a link according to the first common set of communications capabilities; (5) downgrading the first set of communications capabilities to a second set of communications capabilities; (6) advertising the second set of communications capabilities; (6) arriving at a second common set of communications capabilities according to the second common set of communications capabilities; and (7) attempting to establish a link according to the second common set of communications capabilities.

Growing community of inventors

Laguna Hills, CA, United States of America

Gary S Huff