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US 2006/0077995 A1Published application
Apparatus for ethernet PHY/MAC communication
AssigneeBroadcom Corporation
InventorJohn Lenell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated Ethernet PHY/MAC apparatus having a single link partner capability register shared between a PHY and a corresponding MAC, which implements IEEE Standard 302.3, including IEEE Standards 802.3u and 802.3x. Apparatus also includes plural PHYs, each having a corresponding MAC integrably coupled therewith such that an integrated multi-port Ethernet device is realized. A network consists of at least one integrated Ethernet PHY/MAC device having a single link partner capability register.
Claims23
A communication device, comprising:
- a. a transceiver (PHY) communicating data packets with a link partner according to a selectable communication protocol, the PHY having a data register therewithin, the data register receiving data representative of the selectable communication protocol;
- and
- b. a media access controller (MAC) adapted for use in a packet-based communication network and operably coupled with the transceiver, the media access controller lacking a data register for receiving data representative of the selectable communication protocol.
A communication network, comprising:
- a. a transceiver (PHY) communicating data packets through a communication network according to a selectable communication protocol, the PHY having
- (1) a PHY controller controlling the selectable communication protocol of the communication network, and
- (2) a state data register storing data representative of a state of the selectable communication protocol;
- b. a media access controller (MAC), operably coupled with a first communication system, the MAC being integrably coupled with the PHY, the MAC lacking a state data register corresponding with the state data register in the PHY;
- c. a link partner operably coupled with a second communication system, the link partner cooperating with the PHY controller to select the selectable communication protocol;
- and
- d. a communication channel, operably coupling the PHY with the link partner.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.