Abstract: A device and a method for processing high data rate serial data includes circuitry for recovering a clock based on the high data rate input data stream and for providing the recovered clock to a circuit portion, for example, a portion of a field programmable gate array fabric, to enable the circuit portion to use either a reference clock or the recovered clock for subsequent processing. The invention specifically allows for different circuitry portions to utilize different clocks, including different recovered clocks, for corresponding functions that are being performed. Applications for the present invention are many but include multi-gigabit transceiver, switching devices, and protocol translation devices. More generally, the device and method provide for application specific clock references to be utilized in order to minimize or eliminate timing mismatch in serial data processing.

Abstract: Framing transmit encoded output data begins by determining a scrambling remainder between scrambling of an input code word in accordance with a 1st scrambling protocol and the scrambling of the input code word in accordance with an adjustable scrambling protocol. The processing continues by adjusting the adjustable scrambling protocol based on the scrambling remainder to produce an adjusted scrambling protocol. The processing then continues by scrambling the input code word in accordance with the 1st scrambling protocol to produce a 1st scrambled code word. The processing continues by scrambling the input code word in accordance with the adjusted scrambling protocol to produce a scrambled partial code word. The processing continues by determining a portion of the 1st scrambled code word based on the scrambling remainder. The process then continues by combining the scrambled partial code word with the portion of the 1st scrambled code word to produce the transmit encoded output data.

Abstract: A variable latency elastic buffer comprises a plurality of memory locations in which to hold data. A write and read pointer may point to respective write and read addresses of the plurality of locations in which to write and read data. A controller may hold or increment the address of the read pointer upon determining that the amount of data within the buffer differs from a nominal fill level. In a particular embodiment, initialization circuitry may be operable to initialize the read and write addresses of the respective pointers responsive to an initialization request. The read and write addresses may differ from one another by an offset value equal to a value programmed for the nominal value.

Abstract: A method for channel bonding begins when a master transceiver receives a channel bonding sequence. The process continues with the master transceiver generating a channel bonding request and transmitting it and channel bonding configuration information to the slave transceiver. The process continues with each slave receiving the channel bonding sequence, the channel bonding request and the channel bonding configuration information. The process continues as each slave processes the channel bonding request and the channel bonding sequence in accordance with the channel bonding configuration information to determine individual slave channel bonding start information. The process continues as the master processes the channel bonding sequence in accordance with the channel bonding configuration information and the channel bonding request to determine master channel bonding start information.

Abstract: Framing transmit encoded output data begins by determining a scrambling remainder between scrambling of an input code word in accordance with a 1st scrambling protocol and the scrambling of the input code word in accordance with an adjustable scrambling protocol. The processing continues by adjusting the adjustable scrambling protocol based on the scrambling remainder to produce an adjusted scrambling protocol. The processing continues by scrambling the input code word in accordance with the 1st scrambling protocol to produce a 1st scrambled code word. The processing continues by scrambling the input code word in accordance with the adjusted scrambling protocol to produce a scrambled partial code word. The processing continues by determining a portion of the 1st scrambled code word based on the scrambling remainder. The process continues by combining the scrambled partial code word with the portion of the 1st scrambled code word to produce the transmit encoded output data.

Abstract: 8b/10b encoding begins when an input running disparity is received. The processing then continues by receiving an 8-bit digital input that includes a 5-bit digital input portion and a 3-bit digital input portion. The processing then continues by determining, in parallel, a 6-bit running disparity and a 4-bit running disparity. The processing then continues by determining a 6-bit digital output based on the 6-bit running disparity and the 5-bit digital input portion. The processing then continues by determining a 4-bit digital output based on the 4-bit running disparity and the 3-bit digital input portion. The resulting 10-bit encoded digital output is the combination of the 6-bit digital output and the 4-bit digital output.

Abstract: A scalable physical coding sublayer (PCS) can be adjusted to provide different combinations of communication channels and data widths. The PCS can use 8B/10B encoders having a disparity input connection and at least one disparity output connection. In one embodiment, the encoder has both a synchronous and an asynchronous disparity output connection. The encoder can be coupled with additional encoders to provide an expanded width channel of 16B/20B encoding. Additional configurations are possible. In expanded operation, only one of the encoders needs to output special codes. The encoders, therefore, include a slave input connection to place the encoder in a slave mode so that a special code is replaced with an inert special code. All but one encoder in an expanded system are slave encoders. An idle input connection is also provided in the encoders to place the encoder in an idle mode where pre-defined data is output from the encoder.

Abstract: A scalable physical coding sublayer (PCS) can be adjusted to provide different combinations of communication channels and data widths. The PCS can use 8B/10B encoders having a disparity input connection and at least one disparity output connection. In one embodiment, the encoder has both a synchronous and an asynchronous disparity output connection. The encoder can be coupled with additional encoders to provide an expanded width channel of 16B/20B encoding. Additional configurations are possible. In expanded operation, only one of the encoders needs to output special codes. The encoders, therefore, include a slave input connection to place the encoder in a slave mode so that a special code is replaced with an inert special code. All but one encoder in an expanded system are slave encoders. An idle input connection is also provided in the encoders to place the encoder in an idle mode where pre-defined data is output from the encoder.

Abstract: A scalable physical coding sublayer (PCS) can be adjusted to provide different combinations of communication channels and data widths. The PCS can use 8B/10B encoders having a disparity input connection and at least one disparity output connection. In one embodiment, the encoder has both a synchronous and an asynchronous disparity output connection. The encoder can be coupled with additional encoders to provide an expanded width channel of 16B/20B encoding. Additional configurations are possible. In expanded operation, only one of the encoders needs to output special codes. The encoders, therefore, include a slave input connection to place the encoder in a slave mode so that a special code is replaced with an inert special code. All but one encoder in an expanded system are slave encoders. An idle input connection is also provided in the encoders to place the encoder in an idle mode where pre-defined data is output from the encoder.