Abstract: A system and method are provided for programming the parallel path width in a serial-to-parallel path transceiver. Initially, the transceiver is programmed to select a link layer (layer 1) protocol, such as Gigabit Ethernet (GBE) or SONET. The method accepts serial digital data in the selected protocol at a serial interface, and differentiates the serial data into units of i bits per unit. Another programmed selection is made between n number of unique data interfaces, where each interface includes a plurality of parallel paths. The serial digital data is assigned to z selected data interfaces and transmitted. In one aspect, the serial data is assigned to m number of parallel path channels, where m is less than, or equal to z, and less than i. In another aspect, the frequency at which each data interface parallel path transmits data is selected.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for auto-squelching digital communications. The method receives digital information from a source node. If the receive channel is corrupted, an alarm condition is detected that is associated with the received digital information. The method transmits an alarm-condition signal to a destination node, and in response to transmitting the alarm-condition signal, maintains a valid link to the destination node. For example, detecting the alarm condition may include: comparing a frequency associated with the recovered clock signal, with a reference frequency; and, detecting a variance between the recovered clock signal frequency and the reference frequency. Alternately, loss of signal, loss of lock, out of band, and run length alarm conditions may be detected. The alarm-condition signal that is transmitted may be a serial data stream of information such as all “0”s data, all “1”s data, or alternating “0”s and “1”s data for example.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting loss of signal (LOS) criteria in a serial communications receiver. The method receives a serial stream of digital data and selects LOS criteria. The serial stream of digital data is compared to the selected LOS criteria. In response to the serial stream of digital data failing to meet the selected LOS criteria, a LOS signal is generated. Some examples of the LOS criteria that might be selected include: a “signal detect” signal received from the source transmitting the serial stream of digital data, a run length test, a signal strength (voltage amplitude) test, harmonic band detection test, and a received data clock test. In one aspect, selecting LOS criteria includes selecting combinations of the above-mentioned LOS criteria, so that the LOS signal is generated in response to failing to meet the combination of selected LOS criteria.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for programming the parallel path width in a serial-to-parallel path transceiver. Initially, the transceiver is programmed to select a link layer (layer 1) protocol, such as Gigabit Ethernet (GBE) or SONET. The method accepts serial digital data in the selected protocol at a serial interface, and differentiates the serial data into units of i bits per unit. Another programmed selection is made between n number of unique data interfaces, where each interface includes a plurality of parallel paths. The serial digital data is assigned to z selected data interface and transmitted. In one aspect, the serial data is assigned to m number of parallel path channels, where m is less than, or equal to z, and greater than, or equal to i. In another aspect, the frequency at which each data interface parallel path transmits data is selected.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting loss of signal (LOS) criteria in a serial communications receiver. The method receives a serial stream of digital data and selects LOS criteria. The serial stream of digital data is compared to the selected LOS criteria. In response to the serial stream of digital data failing to meet the selected LOS criteria, a LOS signal is generated. Some examples of the LOS criteria that might be selected include: a “signal detect” signal received from the source transmitting the serial stream of digital data, a run length test, a signal strength (voltage amplitude) test, harmonic band detection test, and a received data clock test. In one aspect, selecting LOS criteria includes selecting combinations of the above-mentioned LOS criteria, so that the LOS signal is generated in response to failing to meet the combination of selected LOS criteria.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for auto-squelching digital communications. The method receives digital information from a source node. If the receive channel is corrupted, an alarm condition is detected that is associated with the received digital information. The method transmits an alarm-condition signal to a destination node, and in response to transmitting the alarm-condition signal, maintains a valid link to the destination node. For example, detecting the alarm condition may include: comparing a frequency associated with the recovered clock signal, with a reference frequency; and, detecting a variance between the recovered clock signal frequency and the reference frequency. Alternately, loss of signal, loss of lock, out of band, and run length alarm conditions may be detected. The alarm-condition signal that is transmitted may be a serial data stream of information such as all “0”s data, all “1”s data, or alternating “0”s and “1”s data for example.

Abstract: A host device in a data communication system provides a dual-function clock/enable signal at a single output port shared by at least one asynchronous target device and at least one synchronous target device. In the asynchronous operating mode, the host device generates an asynchronous gated-clock signal that facilitates read/write functions of one or more selected asynchronous target devices. In the synchronous operating mode, the host device generates a synchronous clock-gate signal that facilitates read/write functions of one or more selected synchronous target devices. The target devices and the host device share both a common data bus and a common clock bus. The host device supplies the dual-function clock/enable signal on the common clock bus.