Cable tester
AssigneeMarvell International Ltd.
InventorWilliam Lo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims29
A network interface, comprising:
- a physical layer (PHY) device that includes:
- a cable-test module that selectively tests a cable connected to said PHY device and that generates test data;
- and
- a data processing module that includes a first processor that processes said test data and that generates test results indicating a status of said cable;
- and
- a medium access controller (MAC) that communicates with said PHY device and that includes a second processor, wherein said PHY device selectively communicates said status to said second processor.
A method comprising:
- integrating a cable-test module and a first processor in a physical layer (PHY) device;
- selectively testing a cable connected to said PHY device;
- generating test data using said cable-test module;
- processing said test data using said first processor;
- generating test results indicating a status of said cable;
- and
- selectively communicating said status from said PHY device to a second processor of a medium access controller (MAC).
A network interface, comprising:
- physical layer (PHY) means for communicating with a cable, wherein said PHY means includes:
- cable-test means for selectively testing said cable and generating test data;
- and
- data processing means for processing said test data, wherein said data processing means includes first processing means for processing said test data and generating test results indicating a status of said cable;
- and
- medium access controller (MAC) means for communicating with said PHY means, wherein said MAC means includes second processing means for selectively receiving said status from said PHY means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.