Abstract: A method of operating an Ethernet transceiver includes initializing the Ethernet transceiver during a training mode of operation by transmitting training data to a link partner at a first data rate and at a first transmit power level. The data rate and/or transmit power level is adjusted to an adjusted second data rate and/or second transmit power level based on feedback representing alien crosstalk effects to neighboring Ethernet links caused by the transmitting. A normal data transfer mode of operation is initialized utilizing the adjusted second data rate and/or transmit power level.

Abstract: A method of operation for an Ethernet transceiver is disclosed. The method includes entering a fast retrain sequence of steps. The fast retrain sequence of steps includes transferring two-level symbols to a link partner; and directly following transferring of the two-level symbols, transferring multi-level symbols to the link partner, the multi-level symbols having greater than two symbol levels.

Abstract: A method for determining a power back-off value for an Ethernet channel is disclosed. The method includes measuring a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for each of the channels with a receiver corresponding to each channel. A transmit power level for a link partner transmitter is determined, where the transmit power level represents a minimum power level at the link partner transmitter that results in the measured SNR value at the receiver satisfying a predetermined SNR threshold. The transmit power level is communicated to the link partner transmitter and Ethernet data is then transceived between the link partners based on the determined transmit power level.