Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip includes transmit circuitry including multiple transmitters to launch parallel data in response to a transmit clock signal. The transmit clock signal is based on a reference clock signal. Receiver circuitry includes multiple receivers to receive the parallel data in response to a receive clock signal. The receive clock signal is based on the reference clock signal. Bus circuitry includes multiple data paths arranged in parallel between the transmit circuitry and the receiver circuitry. Each data path is coupled between a given one of the multiple transmitters and a given one of the multiple receivers. A first data path of the multiple data paths includes a delay circuit to dynamically delay first data of the parallel data propagating along the first data path by a first delay that is based on a channel delay exhibited by a second data path of the multiple data paths.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system allowing a flexible upgrade of a computer system (e.g. server) to a high-speed network connection comprises base configuration motherboard or network card including a set of low-speed (e.g. 1 Gbps Ethernet) media access controllers (MACs) each connected to a low-speed physical controller (PHY), and a set of high-speed (e.g. 10 Gbps Ethernet) MACs. An expansion card including high-speed PHYs of choice can be connected by an end user to the base configuration motherboard or network card. A flow classifier classifies data sent/received over both high-speed and low-speed ports, and a single driver may control both high- and low-speed ports. One or both of the motherboard and/or expansion card are configured according to a detected type (e.g. physical layer standard, vendor) of expansion card connected to the motherboard and/or type of physical medium connected to the expansion card.