Abstract: Disclosed are a system, method and device for negotiating a data transmission mode over an attachment unit interface (DDI). A data transceiver circuit may be coupled to one or more data lanes of the DDI. A negotiation section may receive a link pulse signal on at least one data lane in the DDI during a negotiation period and selectively configure the data transceiver to transmit and receive data on one or more data lanes according to a data transmission mode based upon the received link pulse signal.

Abstract: Described are a device and system to transmit data to or receive data from one or more data lane interfaces. Each data lane interface may be capable of transmitting a serial data signal to or receiving a serial data signal from a data lane in a device-to-device interconnection. An effective data rate may be varied based, at least in part, upon a number of the data lane interfaces actively transmitting a serial data signal to or receiving a serial data signal from the device-to-device interconnection.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for dynamic channelization in an Ethernet architecture is described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of transmitting data frames between media independent interfaces (MIIs) in a bus conversion device. Data frames received at a first MII may be formatted according to a first data transmission protocol. A bus conversion device formats the data frame for forwarding to a second MII. The bus conversion device may transmit data frames between MIIs having different associated data rates and data frame formats.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for rate pacing in an Ethernet architecture is described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically detecting the port type of a remote device are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a data rate detection unit to sample a data rate from an incoming data signal. A first frequency configuration unit is operatively coupled with the data rate detection unit to receive a detected data rate from the data rate detection unit. The apparatus also includes an oscillator to generate a plurality of reference clock frequencies. A frequency selector unit is coupled with the oscillator to select one of the reference clock frequencies. A phase lock unit to phase lock the incoming data signal is coupled with the first frequency configuration unit. A data rate select output is coupled with the first frequency configuration unit to operatively link the first frequency configuration unit with a second frequency configuration unit of a remote device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and method of powering down an optical transceiver coupled to an optical transmission medium. A data transceiver may be coupled to transmit data between the optical transceiver and a media independent interface (MII). The data transceiver comprises logic to power down at least a portion of the optical transceiver in response to detection of a power down condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, method and device for negotiating a data transmission mode over an attachment unit interface (DDI). A data transceiver circuit may be coupled to one or more data lanes of the DDI. A negotiation section may receive a link pulse signal on at least one data lane in the DDI during a negotiation period and selectively configure the data transceiver to transmit and receive data on one or more data lanes according to a data transmission mode based upon the received link pulse signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of transmitting data frames between media independent interfaces (MIIs) in a bus conversion device. Data frames received at a first MII may be formatted according to a first data transmission protocol. A bus conversion device formats the data frame for forwarding to a second MII. The bus conversion device may transmit data frames between MIIs having different associated data rates and data frame formats.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and method of powering down an optical transceiver coupled to an optical transmission medium. A data transceiver may be coupled to transmit data between the optical transceiver and a media independent interface (MII). The data transceiver comprises logic to power down at least a portion of the optical transceiver in response to detection of a power down condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for priority-based flow control in an Ethernet architecture is generally described. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is presented comprising identifying a receive capability associated with one or more priority levels of Ethernet traffic for a network device, and generating a control message including a flow control priority level, the flow control priority level denoting the identified priority level above or below which the network device has the ability to receive Ethernet traffic.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for rate pacing in an Ethernet architecture is described herein.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for dynamic channelization in an Ethernet architecture is described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically detecting the port type of a remote device are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a data rate detection unit to sample a data rate from an incoming data signal. A first frequency configuration unit is operatively coupled with the data rate detection unit to receive a detected data rate from the data rate detection unit. The apparatus also includes an oscillator to generate a plurality of reference clock frequencies. A frequency selector unit is coupled with the oscillator to select one of the reference clock frequencies. A phase lock unit to phase lock the incoming data signal is coupled with the first frequency configuration unit. A data rate select output is coupled with the first frequency configuration unit to operatively link the first frequency configuration unit with a second frequency configuration unit of a remote device.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically switching between different physical layer devices (PHYs) in a network interface. The system comprises a network interface in a network device, e.g., a network card in a computer system which includes a first PHY device and a second PHY device. The first PHY device is coupled to a first transmission medium (such as fiber-optic cable) which requires a continuous connection to the computer system when active. For a SERDES device, this continuous connection is required because the PHY needs constant access to its physical coding sublayer (PCS), which is located external to the PHY. The second PHY device is coupled to a second transmission medium (such as copper cable) which does not require this continuous connection. This second PHY may be, for example, a G/MII device, which includes the PCS internally. The network interface card further includes a link switching unit, a physical layer interface unit, and a control unit.

Abstract: A SONET framer having a user data input that feeds a data communication channel. The data communication channel is located within a transport overhead. The transport overhead is appended to a SONET payload envelope. A method of inserting user data into a data communication channel. The data communication channel is located within a transport overhead. The transport overhead appended to a SONET payload envelope.

Abstract: A system and method for auto-polling a status register within a physical layer (PHY) interface to a local area network (LAN). The system includes a host CPU which needs to detect and service interrupts generated by a PHY device on the LAN which is coupled between a first transmission medium (such as copper or fiber cable) and a management interface to the system. The system further includes an auto-polling unit which monitors activity on the management interface of the PHY device. When the auto-polling unit detects a lack of activity on the management interface of the PHY for a predetermined interval, the auto-polling unit reads a first value from the PHY status register. This first status value is then compared to a previously stored value which corresponds to the last PHY status value read by the host CPU. If a mismatch is detected between these two values, an interrupt is generated to the CPU.

Abstract: An electronic package comprising dielectric layers including a densified aluminum nitride (AlN) base layer and at least one densified AlN-borosilicate glass composite layer bonded thereto is described. Any of the dielectric layers may be metallized with conductive circuit patterns and can contain conductive vias. Production of this package is accomplished by hot pressing a greenware laminate comprising a densified base (e.g., AlN); at least one green sinterable sheet (e.g., AlN-borosilicate glass composite); and a green sheet of non-sinterable material (e.g., boron nitride [BN]). The respective green sheets comprise homogeneous mixtures of the ceramic powders and a binder, e.g., polyethylene. The polyethylene is burnt off during the hot press operation. Residual BN is removed by brushing and/or grit blasting, leaving the finished electronic package, all ceramic elements of which are densified. The package provides superior thermal conductivity, strength, dielectric properties, and silicon-compatibility.