Abstract: A network device automatically detects the best protocol a network will support. The network device includes a driver for transmitting data, a receiver for receiving data, and a port operationally coupled to the driver and receiver. The network device further includes negotiation logic coupled to the driver and receiver for selecting a protocol in coordination with other network devices. The network device further includes error detection logic and backs down to a lower transmission rate if errors are detected after the initial negotiation of the selected protocol.

Abstract: A network device automatically detects the best protocol a network will support. The network device includes a driver for transmitting data, a receiver for receiving data, and a port operationally coupled to the driver and receiver. The network device further includes negotiation logic coupled to the driver and receiver for selecting a protocol in coordination with other network devices. The network device further includes error detection logic and backs down to a lower transmission rate if errors are detected after the initial negotiation of the selected protocol.

Abstract: A network device automatically detects the best protocol a network will support. The network device includes a driver for transmitting data, a receiver for receiving data, and a port operationally coupled to the driver and receiver. The network device further includes negotiation logic coupled to the driver and receiver for selecting a protocol in coordination with other network devices. The network device further includes error detection logic and backs down to a lower transmission rate if errors are detected after the initial negotiation of the selected protocol.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for rate pacing in an Ethernet architecture are described herein. In an embodiment, an effective data rate of communication channel with a remote network device is reduced based, at least in part, on an identified processing capability of the remote network device. In one embodiment, to reduce the effective data rate, one or more idle control elements are inserted between at least two frames of substantive content based, at least in part, on the processing capability of the remote network device. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A community programmed television (CPT) network comprises a provider of community programmed television schedules and a plurality of community programmed television receivers. The television receivers may receive schedules from the provider and execute activities such as displaying a television program, playing a game, chatting, and shopping at times specified by the schedule.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for dynamic channelization in an Ethernet architecture is described herein.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for rate pacing in an Ethernet architecture is described herein.

Abstract: A dynamically adaptable communications processor includes a memory element, which includes executable content, and a control element, coupled with the memory element, that selectively implements the executable content to modify the dynamically adaptable communications processor to process data based, at least in part, on a type of communication channel from which the data is received.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically detecting the port type of a remote device are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a data rate detection unit to sample a data rate from an incoming data signal. A first frequency configuration unit is operatively coupled with the data rate detection unit to receive a detected data rate from the data rate detection unit. The apparatus also includes an oscillator to generate a plurality of reference clock frequencies. A frequency selector unit is coupled with the oscillator to select one of the reference clock frequencies. A phase lock unit to phase lock the incoming data signal is coupled with the first frequency configuration unit. A data rate select output is coupled with the first frequency configuration unit to operatively link the first frequency configuration unit with a second frequency configuration unit of a remote device.

Abstract: A network device automatically detects the best protocol a network will support. The network device includes a driver for transmitting data, a receiver for receiving data, and a port operationally coupled to the driver and receiver. The network device further includes negotiation logic coupled to the driver and receiver for selecting a protocol in coordination with other network devices. The network device further includes error detection logic and backs down to a lower transmission rate if errors are detected after the initial negotiation of the selected protocol.

Abstract: A network device automatically detects the best protocol a network will support. The network device includes a driver for transmitting data, a receiver for receiving data, and a port operationally coupled to the driver and receiver. The network device further includes negotiation logic coupled to the driver and receiver for selecting a protocol in coordination with other network devices. The network device further includes error detection logic and backs down to a lower transmission rate if errors are detected after the initial negotiation of the selected protocol.

Abstract: A dynamically adaptable communications processor includes a memory element, which includes executable content, and a control element, coupled with the memory element, that selectively implements the executable content to modify the dynamically adaptable communications processor to process data based, at least in part, on a type of communication channel from which the data is received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for priority-based flow control in an Ethernet architecture is generally described. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is presented comprising identifying a receive capability associated with one or more priority levels of Ethernet traffic for a network device, and generating a control message including a flow control priority level, the flow control priority level denoting the identified priority level above or below which the network device has the ability to receive Ethernet traffic.

Abstract: A network repeater having automatic speed switching capability. The repeater includes a first repeater logic for connecting devices operating at the first rate to a first backplane, a second repeater logic for connecting devices operating at the second rate to a second backplane, and a port switching fabric, coupled to the first and second repeater logic, for determining the transmission rate of a signal at a port and routing the signal to one of the repeater logic according to the transmission rate determination. The repeater includes a serial controller for accessing internal management counters, LEDs for providing status information about the repeater and a media access controller for controlling functions including the transmission loopback and reception of Ethernet frames.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for rate pacing in an Ethernet architecture is described herein.

Abstract: An interface and related methods for dynamic channelization in an Ethernet architecture is described herein.

Abstract: A network device automatically detects the best protocol a network will support. The network device includes a driver for transmitting data, a receiver for receiving data, and a port operationally coupled to the driver and receiver. The network device further includes negotiation logic coupled to the driver and receiver for selecting a protocol in coordination with other network devices. The network device further includes error detection logic and backs down to a lower transmission rate if errors are detected after the initial negotiation of the selected protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically detecting the port type of a remote device are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a data rate detection unit to sample a data rate from an incoming data signal. A first frequency configuration unit is operatively coupled with the data rate detection unit to receive a detected data rate from the data rate detection unit. The apparatus also includes an oscillator to generate a plurality of reference clock frequencies. A frequency selector unit is coupled with the oscillator to select one of the reference clock frequencies. A phase lock unit to phase lock the incoming data signal is coupled with the first frequency configuration unit. A data rate select output is coupled with the first frequency configuration unit to operatively link the first frequency configuration unit with a second frequency configuration unit of a remote device.

Abstract: A network device automatically detects the best protocol a network will support. The network device includes a driver for transmitting data, a receiver for receiving data, and a port operationally coupled to the driver and receiver. The network device further includes negotiation logic coupled to the driver and receiver for selecting a protocol in coordination with other network devices. The network device further includes error detection logic and backs down to a lower transmission rate if errors are detected after the initial negotiation of the selected protocol.

Abstract: A 200 Mbps PHY/MAC combination for providing full duplex operation at 400 Mbps is disclosed. The PHY/MAC uses all 4 pairs of wire to create a single channel. A transmit and receive port of a physical layer device is connected to a first end of four pairs of category 5 wiring. A media access control entity sources PLS primitives to manage the flow of frames eight bits a nibble to and from the four pairs of category 5 wiring through the physical layer device. A switch is provided for trunking the four pair of category 5 wiring into a single channel comprising separate 200 Mbps throughput transmit and receive data paths to the physical layer device or into two channels comprising separate 100 Mbps throughput transmit and receive data paths to the physical layer device comprising separate 100 Mbps throughput transmit and receive data paths to the physical layer device.

Abstract: An electronic package comprising dielectric layers including a densified aluminum nitride (AlN) base layer and at least one densified AlN-borosilicate glass composite layer bonded thereto is described. Any of the dielectric layers may be metallized with conductive circuit patterns and can contain conductive vias. Production of this package is accomplished by hot pressing a greenware laminate comprising a densified base (e.g., AlN); at least one green sinterable sheet (e.g., AlN-borosilicate glass composite); and a green sheet of non-sinterable material (e.g., boron nitride [BN]). The respective green sheets comprise homogeneous mixtures of the ceramic powders and a binder, e.g., polyethylene. The polyethylene is burnt off during the hot press operation. Residual BN is removed by brushing and/or grit blasting, leaving the finished electronic package, all ceramic elements of which are densified. The package provides superior thermal conductivity, strength, dielectric properties, and silicon-compatibility.