ACT Startup Sequence

A method comprising:

• establishing, between an integrated circuit (IC) device and an Ethernet device, a first communication path to transmit a first signal at a first data rate to the Ethernet device and a second communication path to receive a second signal from the Ethernet device at a second data rate greater than the first data rate;
• executing a startup training sequence by transmitting a first set of training signals over the first communication path to optimize communication to the Ethernet device and receiving a second set of training signals over the second communication path to optimize communication from the Ethernet device;
• and
• operating, upon completion of the startup training sequence, in a data mode to transmit the first signal via the first communication path and receive the second signal via the second communication path.

An Ethernet device comprising internal circuitry configured to:

• establish, between the Ethernet device and an integrated circuit (IC) device, a first communication path to receive a first signal at a first data rate from the IC device and a second communication path to transmit a second signal to the IC device at a second data rate greater than the first data rate;
• execute a startup training sequence by receiving a first set of training signals over the first communication path to optimize communication from the IC device and transmitting a second set of training signals over the second communication path to optimize communication to the IC device;
• and
• operate, upon completion of the startup training sequence, in a data mode to receive the first signal via the first communication path and transmit the second signal via the second communication path.