Abstract: A serial communications protocol is provided that has optional link initialization features such as an optional automatic lane polarity reversal feature and an optional automatic lane order reversal feature. A user that desires to create a protocol-compliant integrated circuit design can either choose to include or to not include the optional features. Integrated circuits in which the optional serial communications link features are implemented are able to perform the lane polarity reversal and lane order reversal functions. Integrated circuits in which the optional serial communications link features have not been implemented are not able to perform these functions, but can be fabricated using fewer circuit resources.

Abstract: A serial communications protocol is provided that has mandatory features such as an idle code feature and optional features such as an optional automatic lane polarity reversal feature and an optional automatic lane order reversal feature, an optional clock tolerance compensation feature, an optional flow control feature, and an optional retry-on-error feature. A user that desires to create a protocol-compliant integrated circuit design can either choose to include or to not include the optional features. Integrated circuits in which the optional features are implemented are able to perform the associated functions. Integrated circuits in which the optional features have not been implemented are not able to perform these functions, but can be fabricated using fewer circuit resources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safe method for upgrading firmware code for optical disk products without corrupting firmware even if an abnormality occurs during a upgrading a firmware process. A nonvolatile memory device of the present invention may store a boot system image and an application ware image separately. End users may update the application ware image by executing an upgraded application program. However the boot system image stored in the nonvolatile memory device may not be modified at any event and it may be used to restore the optical disk product from a system failure caused by a corrupted firmware.

Abstract: Integrated circuits compliant with a serial communications protocol with optional and adjustable features are provided. Tools for designing such circuits are also provided. The protocol supports different data transmission modes such as streaming data and packetized data. A regular data port and priority data port may be provided so that priority data may be nested inside regular data during transmission. Various levels of data integrity protection may be provided. If no data integrity protection is desired, a user can opt to omit data integrity protection from a given integrated circuit design, thereby conserving resources. If data integrity protection is desired, the user can select from different available levels of data integrity protection. Data may be multiplexed using user-defined data channels.

Abstract: A serial communications protocol with optional and adjustable data link layer and physical layer features is provided. A logic design tool for designing circuits compliant with the protocol is also provided. Using the logic design tool, desired optional protocol features may be included to enhance circuit functionality and undesired optional protocol features may be omitted to conserve circuit resources. The logic design tool may include design aids related to retry-on-error timeout calculations, FIFO sizing, transmitter and receiver circuit parameters, and other design parameters. A user of the logic design tool can view information provided by the logic design tool's design aids and can make design selections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safe method for upgrading firmware code for optical disk products without corrupting firmware even if an abnormality occurs during a upgrading a firmware process. A nonvolatile memory device of the present invention may store a boot system image and an application ware image separately. End users may update the application ware image by executing an upgraded application program. However the boot system image stored in the nonvolatile memory device may not be modified at any event and it may be used to restore the optical disk product from a system failure caused by a corrupted firmware.