Abstract: A communications system includes a physical layer device (PLD) and a logical link device (LLD), each having respective send and receive interfaces being substantially identical to define symmetrical interfaces for the system. Accordingly, design and manufacturing is simplified compared to conventional systems. In addition, advantages are also provided in terms of loopback capability and packaging options. The PLD comprises a PLD send interface including PLD parallel information outputs, and a PLD receive interface including PLD parallel information inputs. Similarly, the LLD comprises an LLD receive interface including LLD parallel information inputs, and an LLD send interface including LLD parallel information outputs. Parallel communications channels connect the PLD information outputs to respective LLD information inputs, and connect the LLD information outputs to respective PLD information inputs.

Abstract: A communications system includes first and second devices connected by parallel communications channels. The first device preferably comprises a string-based framing coder for determining and appending a string-based framing code to each information symbol string of information symbol strings to be transmitted in parallel over respective parallel communications channels. Each string-based framing code is preferably based upon at least some of the information symbols in the respective information symbol string. In addition, the second device preferably includes a deskewer for aligning received parallel information symbol strings based upon the string-based framing codes. In other words, the string-based framing codes and their use to align received information symbol strings permit the information symbol to be transmitted at high rates and over relatively long distances and thereby be subject skew. The information symbols may be binary bits.

Abstract: A communications system includes a first device comprising a plurality of electrical-to-transmission medium converters, and a second device comprising a plurality of transmission medium-to-electrical converters to be connected to respective ones of the electrical-to-transmission medium converters via at least one transmission medium and defining parallel communications channels between the first and second devices, and wherein deskewing is provided. More particularly, the first device may include a string-based framing coder for determining and appending a string-based framing code to each information symbol string of information symbol strings to be transmitted in parallel over respective parallel communications channels. Each string-based framing code is based upon at least some of the information symbols in the respective information symbol string. The second device preferably comprises a deskewer for aligning received information symbol strings based upon the string-based framing codes.