MAC/PHY interface
First Claim
1. A system for interfacing in an open system interconnection type network, said system comprising:
- a media access control layer configured to manage data flow over said open system interconnection type network;
a physical layer configured to code data for transmission to a medium;
an eight bit transmit data bus configured to enable data transfer from said media access control layer to said physical layer, wherein said eight bit transmit data bus is driven by said media access control layer;
an eight bit receive data bus configured to enable data transfer from said physical layer to said media access control layer, wherein said eight bit receive data bus is driven by said physical layer;
a transmit ON signal bus configured to indicate to said physical layer that a data frame is available on said eight bit transmit data bus and to indicate a request by said media access control layer for said physical layer to apply a backoff signal; and
a receive ON signal bus configured to indicate that to said media access layer valid data is available on said eight bit receive data bus and to indicate that a backoff signal request is received.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method, system and apparatus for managing data flow over an open system interconnection type network (10) which includes a physical layer (12) and a media access control layer (146). The invention implements a plurality of operating modules (315) each enabling a respective media access control layer operating function in which at least a portion of the operating modules are implemented in software. The invention further implements a host interface module (305) for communication between a host processor and the media access control layer, a physical layer interface module (310) for communication between the physical layer and media access control layer, and an inter-module programming interface for communications between respective operating modules. The physical layer interface includes an enhanced media independent interface in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for interfacing in an open system interconnection type network, said system comprising:
a media access control layer configured to manage data flow over said open system interconnection type network;
a physical layer configured to code data for transmission to a medium;
an eight bit transmit data bus configured to enable data transfer from said media access control layer to said physical layer, wherein said eight bit transmit data bus is driven by said media access control layer;
an eight bit receive data bus configured to enable data transfer from said physical layer to said media access control layer, wherein said eight bit receive data bus is driven by said physical layer;
a transmit ON signal bus configured to indicate to said physical layer that a data frame is available on said eight bit transmit data bus and to indicate a request by said media access control layer for said physical layer to apply a backoff signal; and
a receive ON signal bus configured to indicate that to said media access layer valid data is available on said eight bit receive data bus and to indicate that a backoff signal request is received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A media interface for data exchange between a media access control layer and a physical layer in an open system interconnection layered type network, said media interface comprising:
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an eight bit transmit data bus configured to enable data transfer from said media access control layer to said physical layer, wherein said eight bit transmit data bus is driven by said media access control layer;
an eight bit receive data bus configured to enable data transfer from said physical layer to said media access control layer, wherein said eight bit receive data bus is driven by said physical layer;
a transmit ON signal bus configured to indicate to said physical layer that a data frame is available on said eight bit transmit data bus and to indicate a request by said media access control layer for said physical layer to apply a backoff signal; and
a receive ON signal bus configured to indicate to said media access control layer that valid data is available on said eight bit receive data bus and to indicate that a backoff signal request is received. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification