Abstract: Training a link between a physical layer transceiver and a link partner includes encoding, at the physical layer transceiver, a first number of training bits into a second number of encoded training bits, expanding at the physical layer transceiver the second number of encoded training bits into a third number of expanded training bits, and interpolating at the physical layer transceiver, in a first mode, between the third number of expanded training bits and a fourth number of interpolated training bits. The fourth number is more than twice the third number, and may be four times the third number. Such training may further include interpolating at the physical layer transceiver, in a second mode, between the third number of expanded training bits and the fourth number of interpolated training bits, fourth number being twice the third number. The second mode may be used when the first mode is not supported.

Abstract: A controller for use in an optical storage device is provided. The controller includes a block decoder/encoder for processing data to and from a media of the optical storage device. An ATAPI interface is also provided and is configured to process data and control signals for selectively communicating data to and from the optical storage device during operation in an ATAPI mode. Universal serial bus (USB) logic is configured to process data and control signals for selectively communicating data to and from the optical storage device during operation in a USB mode. The USB logic is configured to utilize data transfer control logic implemented by the ATAPI interface. Accordingly, the one controller can be integrated into either an external peripheral device that communicates over a USB connection in the USB mode, or into an internal peripheral device that communicates over an IDE connection in the ATAPI mode.

Abstract: A device controller for interfacing a host computer with an external storage device has an autohost controller. The device controller, at the end of a read operation, fills a memory buffer with data blocks contiguous with the read operation. On a subsequent read operation, the autohost controller checks the subsequent read operation and, if the requested data is within the memory buffer, directs the device controller to transfer the data from the memory buffer without intervention from an external microprocessor. If the autohost controller does not intervene, the device controller operates under the control of the microprocessor, as normal.