Apparatus and method for automatic speed downshift for a two pair cable
AssigneeMarvell International Ltd.
InventorWilliam Lo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A physical layer of a first network device is connected to cable of an Ethernet network. A digital signal processor (DSP) is connected to the cable. The DSP receives and decodes first signals on the cable from a second device. The DSP codes and transmits second signals to the second device on the cable. An autonegotiation controller is connected to the DSP and includes a cable detector that determines a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of the cable that are operable. The autonegotiation controller also includes a speed adjuster that masks an advertised speed of the first device when the cable detector determines that the first number is less than the number required for a requested speed of the first device.
Claims158
A physical layer of a first device that is connected to cable of an Ethernet network, comprising:
- a digital signal processor (DSP) coupled to said cable that receives and decodes first signals on said cable and that codes and transmits second signals on said cable;
- and
- an autonegotiation controller that communicates with said DSP and that includes a cable detector that determines a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of said cable that are operable.
A physical layer of a first device that is connected to cable of an Ethernet network, comprising:
- cable including at least two pairs of twisted pair wires;
- a digital signal processor (DSP) coupled to said cable that receives and decodes first signals on said cable and that codes and transmits second signals on said cable;
- and
- an autonegotiation controller that communicates with said DSP and that includes a cable detector that determines a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of said cable that are operable and a speed adjuster that masks an advertised speed of said first device when said cable detector determines that said first number is less than a number of twisted pair wires that are required to support a requested speed of said first device.
A method for operating a physical layer of a first device that is connected to cable of an Ethernet network, comprising:
- coupling a digital signal processor (DSP) to said cable;
- receiving and decoding first signals on said cable;
- coding and transmitting second signals on said cable;
- communicating with said DSP using an autonegotiation controller;
- and
- detecting a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of said cable that are operable with a cable detector associated with said autonegotiation controller, wherein said autonegotiation controller includes said cable detector.
A physical layer of a first device that is connected to cable of an Ethernet network, comprising:
- signal processing means coupled to said cable for receiving and decoding first signals on said cable and for coding and transmitting second signals on said cable;
- and
- autonegotiation means for communicating with said signal processing means and including cable detector means for determining a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of said cable that are operable.
An Ethernet network, comprising:
- a first network device with a first physical layer including a first digital signal processor (DSP) coupled to cable that receives and decodes first signals on said cable and that codes and transmits second signals on said cable, and a first autonegotiation controller that communicates with said first DSP and that includes a first cable detector that determines a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of said cable that are operable;
- and
- a second network device with a second physical layer including a second DSP coupled to said cable that receives and decodes said second signals on said cable and that codes and transmits said first signals on said cable.
A network device that is connected to cable of an Ethernet network, comprising:
- a physical layer including:
- a digital signal processor (DSP) coupled to said cable that receives and decodes first signals on said cable and that codes and transmits second signals to said second device on said cable;
- and
- an autonegotiation controller that communicates with said DSP and that includes a cable detector that determines a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of said cable that are operable.
A method for operating a physical layer of a first device that is connected to cable of an Ethernet network, comprising:
- coupling said cable to a digital signal processor (DSP);
- receiving and decoding first signals on said cable using said DSP;
- coding and transmitting second signals on said cable using said DSP;
- determining a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of said cable that are operable using a cable detector;
- and
- masking an advertised speed of said first device using an autonegotiation controller when said first number is less than a number of twisted pair wires that are required to support a requested speed of said first device wherein said autonegotiation controller includes said cable detector.
A software method for operating a physical layer of a first device that is connected to cable of an Ethernet network, comprising:
- coupling said cable to a digital signal processor (DSP);
- receiving and decoding first signals on said cable using said DSP;
- coding and transmitting second signals on said cable using said DSP;
- determining a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of said cable that are operable using a cable detector;
- and
- masking an advertised speed of said first device using an autonegotiation controller when said first number is less than a number of twisted pair wires that are required to support a requested speed of said first device, wherein said autonegotiation controller includes said cable detector.
A physical layer of a first device that is connected to cable of an Ethernet network, comprising:
- signal processing means coupled to said cable for receiving and decoding first signals on said cable and for coding and transmitting second signals on said cable;
- and
- autonegotiation control means for communicating with said signal processing means and including cable detection means for determining a first number of pairs of twisted pair wires of said cable that are operable and speed adjusting means for masking an advertised speed of said first device when said cable detection means determines that said first number is less than a number of twisted pair wires that are required to support a requested speed of said first device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.