Method for transmitting sampled data and control information between a DSP and an RF/analog front-end

A frame generator circuit for generating a frame to transfer sampled data and control information between a digital signal processor (DSP) and an analog front-end device (AFE) in a high speed communication modem, the framer comprising:

• a first input for receiving sampled data from a signal processor in the DSP;
• a second input for receiving control information from the signal processor in the DSP;
• and
• an output for providing a frame which includes:
• a data field for transferring the sampled data, the data field including one or more data octets;
• and
• a control field for transmitting the control information, the control field including an octet containing a control address, an octet containing a control command, and an octet containing control data,
• wherein the frame is encoded with an 8/10 encoder, and the encoded frame is transferred between the DSP and the AFE.

A control method for a modem device, comprising:

• receiving a control command at an analog front-end device (AFE) via a serial communication link,
• reading control data stored in a register of the AFE,
• merging the control data with transmit data received by the AFE via an analog communication link into a frame,
• encoding, by an 8/10 bit encoder, the frame, and
• transmitting the encoded frame via the serial communication link between the AFE and a digital signal processor (DSP).