Configurable communications controller

A communications controller comprising:

• a transmit block having an input and an output for providing a sequence of a plurality of symbols;
• a serializer having an input coupled to said output of said transmit block, and an output for providing, in response to said sequence of said plurality of symbols, a first plurality of data bits at a first rate in a low frequency mode and a second plurality of data bits at a second rate in a low latency mode, wherein said first plurality is greater in number than said second plurality, and said second rate is higher than said first rate;
• and
• a physical interface having an input coupled to said output of said serializer, and a port for connection to a communication medium, and configured to operate according to a protocol to provide a sequence of data bits.

A communications system comprising:

• a communications controller having a physical interface, said communication controller and an internal transmit and receive circuit coupled to said physical interface, having an internal architecture to conduct a first plurality of symbols at a first rate in a low frequency mode and a second plurality of symbols at a second rate in a low latency mode, wherein said first plurality is greater in number than said second plurality, and said second rate is higher than said first rate;
• a communication medium coupled to said physical interface of said communications controller;
• and
• a device coupled to said communication medium.