Abstract: A method of communication between an Ethernet Media Access Controller (MAC) and a physical interface (PHY) is disclosed. The method includes establishing communication between the MAC and the PHY via a first serial link in accordance with a Serializer Deserializer (SERDES) protocol. In a data transfer mode, data is transferred along the first serial link. Idle frames are transferred within an idle time gap along the link in an idle mode. The PHY is managed by encoding Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) information in one or more MDIO frames, and transferring the one or more MDIO frames within the idle time gap along the first serial link.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed that that can improve robustness of digital phase locked loop (PLL) circuits. A method performed by a clock generation device includes generating a plurality of phase-shifted signals, each of the plurality of phase-shifted signals having a phase shift with respect to a base clock signal that is unique within the plurality of phase-shifted signals, selecting a first phase-shifted signal as an output signal, generating a first phase control word indicative of a second phase-shifted signal when the second signal has a closer phase relationship with a reference signal than the first signal, refraining from selecting the second signal as the output signal while either of the first signal and the second signal is in a first signaling state, and selecting as the output signal, the second signal when the first signal and the second signal are in a second signaling state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling low power idle (LPI) signaling for Ethernet transceivers operating in legacy modes are disclosed that allow a high speed transceiver to retain energy efficient Ethernet (EEE) functionality even when the transceiver is operating in a slower speed mode. In some embodiments, an Ethernet device may enter an LPI mode upon receiving a regular LPI signal when its media independent interface (MII) is operating at a first transmission rate, and may enter the LPI mode upon receiving a modified LPI signal when the MII is operating at a first speed operating at a second transmission rate that is slower than the first transmission rate.

Abstract: A configurable media independent interface in an integrated circuit device includes a first plurality of channels and a second plurality of channels, wherein each channel of the first and second pluralities includes a transmit path. The interface also includes a first serializer configurable to serialize transmit data for the first and second pluralities of channels in a first mode and to serialize transmit data for the first plurality of channels in a second mode, and a second serializer configurable to be disabled in the first mode and to serialize data for the second plurality of channels in the second mode.

Abstract: A media independent interface in an integrated circuit device includes a first plurality of channels, each including a data transmit path and a data receive path, and a second plurality of channels, each including a transmit path to transmit an idle symbol and a receive path to receive the idle symbol. The interface also includes a codec, coupled to the transmit paths of the first and second pluralities of channels, to encode data and symbols on the transmit paths, and a multiplexer, coupled to the codec, to multiplex the data on the transmit paths of the first and second pluralities of channels as encoded by the codec. The interface further includes a Ser Des to serialize the multiplexed data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that allow a host device to communicate with an external device using either Ethernet communications or USB communications provided via a USB port and a USB connection (e.g., a USB cable). The host device may include a processor, an Ethernet media access control (MAC) circuit coupled to the processor, a USB controller coupled to the processor, a USB port to couple to the external device via the USB connection, and a transceiver coupled between the USB port and either the Ethernet MAC circuit or the USB controller in response to a mode select signal. The host device may also include a detection circuit that generates the mode select signal in response to determining whether the external device is a USB device or an Ethernet device.

Abstract: A method of communication between an Ethernet Media Access Controller (MAC) and a physical interface (PHY) is disclosed. The method includes establishing communication between the MAC and the PHY via a first serial link in accordance with a Serializer Deserializer (SERDES) protocol. In a data transfer mode, data is transferred along the first serial link. Idle frames are transferred within an idle time gap along the link in an idle mode. The PHY is managed by encoding Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) information in one or more MDIO frames, and transferring the one or more MDIO frames within the idle time gap along the first serial link.

Abstract: A configurable media independent interface in an integrated circuit device includes a first plurality of channels and a second plurality of channels, wherein each channel of the first and second pluralities includes a transmit path. The interface also includes a first serializer configurable to serialize transmit data for the first and second pluralities of channels in a first mode and to serialize transmit data for the first plurality of channels in a second mode, and a second serializer configurable to be disabled in the first mode and to serialize data for the second plurality of channels in the second mode.

Abstract: A media independent interface in an integrated circuit device includes a first plurality of channels, each including a data transmit path and a data receive path, and a second plurality of channels, each including a transmit path to transmit an idle symbol and a receive path to receive the idle symbol. The interface also includes a codec, coupled to the transmit paths of the first and second pluralities of channels, to encode data and symbols on the transmit paths, and a multiplexer, coupled to the codec, to multiplex the data on the transmit paths of the first and second pluralities of channels as encoded by the codec. The interface further includes a Ser Des to serialize the multiplexed data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling low power idle (LPI) signaling for Ethernet transceivers operating in legacy modes are disclosed that allow a high speed transceiver to retain energy efficient Ethernet (EEE) functionality even when the transceiver is operating in a slower speed mode. In some embodiments, an Ethernet device may enter an LPI mode upon receiving a regular LPI signal when its media independent interface (MII) is operating at a first transmission rate, and may enter the LPI mode upon receiving a modified LPI signal when the MII is operating at a first speed operating at a second transmission rate that is slower than the first transmission rate.