Abstract: A physical layer (PHY) device including a first encoder, a second encoder, and a selector. The first encoder is configured to receive a first data stream at a first data rate, encode the first data stream using a first type of encoding, and output a first encoded data via a plurality of outputs. The second encoder is configured to receive a second data stream at a second data rate, encode the second data stream using a second type of encoding, and output a second encoded data via an output. The selector includes a first set of inputs and a second set of inputs. The first set of inputs is configured to receive the plurality of outputs of the first encoder, and each input of the second set of inputs is configured to receive the output of the second encoder.

Abstract: A physical layer (PHY) device including a first transmitter, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module, and a control module. The first transmitter is configured to transmit a first pulse on a first conductor of a first pair of conductors of a cable. The first ADC module is configured to generate a first set of outputs, in response to the transmission of the first pulse, by sampling an input from a second conductor of the first pair of conductors a plurality of times at a predetermined time interval. The control module is configured to determine a first distance from the PHY device to (i) an open-circuit, (ii) a short-circuit, or (iii) a termination of the first pair of conductors based on the first set of outputs.

Abstract: A medium access control (MAC) device includes a first set of transmit pins, a second set of transmit pins, and a first encoder. The first set receives (i) first transmit data signals and (ii) first transmit control signals from a host. The first transmit data signals are received on a first subset of the first set. The second set outputs (i) second transmit data signals and (ii) second transmit control signals to a physical layer (PHY) device. The second transmit data signals are output on a second subset of the second set. The second subset includes fewer transmit pins than the first subset. The first encoder encodes two of the first transmit control signals received on two of the first set of transmit pins to generate one of the second transmit control signals output on one of the second set of transmit pins.

Abstract: A first physical layer (PHY) device includes an auto-negotiation module, a first cable-length measuring module, and a first control module. The auto-negotiation module exchanges data rates of the first PHY device and a second PHY device. The first PHY device is connected to the second PHY device by a cable. The first cable-length measuring module performs a first measurement of a length of the cable. The first control module selectively receives a second measurement of the length of the cable from the second PHY device, and selects a data rate of the first PHY device from the data rates of the first PHY device and the second PHY device based on (i) the first measurement of the length of the cable performed by the first cable-length measuring module of the first PHY device, or (ii) the second measurement of the length of the cable received from the second PHY device.

Abstract: A physical layer of a device is connected to a plurality of twisted pairs of wire. The physical layer includes an autonegotiation controller that initially advertises a plurality of operating speeds associated with the device and receives a request for the device to operate at a first operating speed. A cable detector determines whether the physical layer is connected to a sufficient number of twisted pair wires to support the first operating speed. A speed adjuster alters the plurality of operating speeds advertised by the autonegotiation controller in response to the physical layer not being connected to a sufficient number of twisted pair wires to support the first operating speed. The speed adjuster alters the plurality of operating speeds advertised by the autonegotiation controller by masking one of the plurality of operating speeds corresponding to the first operating speed.

Abstract: A cable testing system that tests cable includes a pulse generation module that transmits a first pulse on a first communications channel of the cable. A sampling module waits a predetermined time period after the pulse generation module transmits the first pulse and then detects a first amplitude of a reflected signal on a second communications channel of the cable. A time domain reflection (TDR) module receives the first amplitude and verifies proper operation of the cable based on the first amplitude. The predetermined time period corresponds with an estimated roundtrip propagation delay of the first pulse when the first pulse is reflected back to the cable testing system after traveling a first predetermined distance along the cable. The sampling module incrementally increases the predetermined time period during subsequent iterations of a cable test in order to verify proper operation of a predetermined segment of the cable.

Abstract: A First-In-First-Out (FIFO) block to buffer a packet having a size is presented. The FIFO block includes a receiver to receive a data frame including the packet and overhead information, and to extract the packet from the data frame. A buffer has a plurality of memory locations to store the packet in a FIFO configuration. A buffer manager, in response to detecting a buffer low packet condition, stalls reads of the packet from the buffer.

Abstract: A network interface includes a medium access control (MAC) device that operates at a first voltage level during an inactive mode and a second voltage level during an active mode. A physical layer (PHY) device communicates with the MAC device and that includes an energy detect module that detects energy on a medium during the inactive mode, and an energy save module that starts timing a first period after the energy is detected and that causes the MAC device to transition to the second voltage level when the energy is detected during the inactive mode, wherein external communication with the MAC device is enabled after the first period.

Abstract: A computer program comprises instructions for advertising a plurality of communication modes. In response to detecting that one or more communication modes of a second physical layer module have been advertised to a first physical layer module, the computer program synchronizes the communication mode between the first and second physical layer modules based on the plurality of advertised communication modes of the first physical layer module and the one or more advertised communication modes of the second physical layer module. In response to not having detected that one or more communication modes of the second physical layer module have been advertised to the first physical layer module, the computer program detects whether the second physical layer module has been preset to communicate in a full duplex mode, and sets the communication mode between the first physical layer module and the second physical layer module to the full duplex mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a media for communication in a network. The method includes (i) using a first autonegotiation circuit to attempt to establish a link over a first media of a first type, and (ii) simultaneously using a second autonegotiation circuit to attempt to establish a link over a second media of a second type, the second type being different from the first type. In response to establishing the link over the first media prior to establishing the link over the second media, the second autonegotiation circuit is powered down. In response to establishing the link over the second media prior to establishing the link over the first media, the first autonegotiation circuit is powered down.

Abstract: A network interface includes a physical layer (PHY) device that provides an interface to a cable. The PHY device includes an autonegotiation module that selectively performs autonegotiation to establish a link with a link partner based on link parameters and a cable test module that performs a cable test before the autonegotiation begins, that determines a cable performance parameter during the cable test, and that compares the cable performance parameter to a predetermined threshold. The autonegotiation module selects at least one of the link parameters based on the comparison.

Abstract: A media selection system includes a plurality of media ports. Each of the plurality of media ports is coupled to a corresponding physical medium, is configured to generate an activity signal, and is configured to generate a link status signal. A priority storage module is configured to contain priority information, which sets forth a priority for establishing a link through each of the plurality of media ports. A media selector module is configured to select a first media port through which a link will be maintained based on the activity signal generated by each of the plurality of media ports. The media selector module is configured to link the signal generated by each of the plurality of media ports and the priority information. The media selector module is configured to block all other links through media ports of the plurality of media ports other than the first media port.

Abstract: A request frame for use in managing a physical-layer device (PHY) comprises a preamble; a start frame delimiter for the frame; a destination media access control (MAC) address for the frame, wherein the destination MAC address is stored in the PHY; a source MAC address for the frame; a length/type for the frame, wherein the length/type is stored in the PHY; remote management data comprising one or more commands to be executed by the PHY; and a frame check sequence for the frame. A response frame comprises a preamble; a start frame delimiter for the frame; a destination MAC address for the frame; a source MAC address for the frame; a length/type for the frame, wherein the length/type is stored in the PHY; remote management data comprising a response to a command from a management device having the destination MAC address; and a frame check sequence for the frame.

Abstract: A physical layer device includes a converter module to convert input data having a first predetermined number of bits into output data having a second predetermined number of bits. A scrambler module is operable to be activated and deactivated. The scrambler module receives the output data having the second predetermined number of bits. An encoding module modulates the output of the scrambler module in accordance with one of a plurality of modulation types and generates an encoded output signal having an output level. The encoding module is operable to vary the output levels of the encoded output signal.

Abstract: A network device comprises a data translator that receives a first data stream at a first data rate and that includes a data sampler that selects one of X data symbols that are received, wherein the one of the X data symbols includes (M+N) bits, and that outputs a second data stream at a second data rate and a data remover that removes N of the (M+N) bits and that outputs a third data stream including symbols with the M bits at a third data rate. A physical layer device receives the third data stream.

Abstract: Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer programs comprise a physical layer controller adapted to start a first timer for a physical link comprising a receive physical link; and a physical link monitor comprising a monitor module adapted to determine a local receiver status for the receive physical link, and a controller adapted to indicate a link status is OK for the physical link when the local receiver status is OK, wherein the controller comprises a speed up mode circuit to indicate the link status is FAIL for the physical link when the local receiver status is not OK and a speed up mode is enabled, regardless of the status of the first timer.

Abstract: A physical layer (PHY) device of a network device includes a first module, a first cable-length measuring (CLM) module, and a first control module. The first module determines whether a remote PHY that communicates with the PHY device over a cable is capable of measuring a length of the cable. The first CLM module measures a first length of the cable. The first control module causes the first length to be transmitted to the remote PHY, receives a second length of the cable measured by the remote PHY, and adjusts an operating parameter of the PHY based on at least one of the first and second lengths.

Abstract: A physical layer (PHY) device of a network device includes a signal generator module that generates a first test signal and that transmits the first test signal on a first conductor of a first pair of a cable at time T1, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module that has an input that communicates with a second conductor of the cable and an output that generates first S outputs at times (T1+(S*t)), where S is greater than 1, and t>0, and a control module that determines a distance from the PHY to one of an open-circuit and short-circuit of the first pair based on the first S outputs.

Abstract: A network interface includes a physical layer (PHY) device and a medium access controller (MAC). The PHY device includes a cable-test module and a data processing module. The cable-test module selectively tests a cable connected to the PHY device and generates test data. The data processing module includes a first processor that processes the test data and that generates test results indicating a status of the cable. The MAC communicates with the PHY device and includes a second processor, wherein the PHY device selectively communicates the status to the second processor.

Abstract: A physical layer (PHY) device includes a first encoder that receives a first data stream at a first data rate, that encodes the first data stream using a first type of encoding, and that outputs first encoded data. A second encoder receives a second data stream at a second data rate different than the first data rate, encodes the second data stream using a second type of encoding different than the first type of encoding, and outputs second encoded data. An output selector outputs the first encoded data to a serializer of the PHY when the PHY transmits at the first data rate, and outputs the second encoded data to the serializer when the PHY transmits at the second data rate.