Advanced single-chip USB-to-ethernet controller with a dual-PHY mode capacity for ethernet PHY or USB-to-rev-MII bridging
First Claim
1. A network communication system, comprising:
- an Ethernet PHY (physical layer) interface connecting through transformer and RJ-45 connector to Ethernet network by Ethernet cable;
an Ethernet MAC (Media Access Controller) interface connecting to said Ethernet PHY interface;
a USB-to-Ethernet bridge (Universal Serial Bus to Ethernet) interface connecting to said Ethernet MAC;
a packet buffer connecting to said USB-to-Ethernet bridge interface;
a USB PHY/SIE (Serial Interface Engine) interface connecting to said USB-to-Ethernet bridge interface;
a Station Management interface connecting to said USB PHY/SIE interface, said Ethernet PHY interface and Ethernet network, wherein said system operates as a USB-to-Ethernet controller or as a USB-to-Reverse-MII (USB-to-Reverse-Media Independent Interface) Bridging or Ethernet PHY in Dual-PHY mode; and
said Station Management interface provides a mechanism for auto-detection and auto-selection between external Ethernet interface and USB Device interface through Station Management Register access wherein the Network Microcontroller'"'"'s Ethernet MAC access said USB PHY/SIE interface and said Ethernet PHY interface through the same Station Management interface.
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Abstract
This invention relates to a single-chip USB-to-Ethernet controller that can operate either as a standalone USB-to-Ethernet controller integrated circuit chip in one mode, or the Ethernet PHY or the USB-to-Rev-MII Bridging chip in another mode, namely Dual-PHY mode, to interface with an external Network Microcontroller'"'"'s Ethernet MAC for providing Ethernet and USB Device interface in a network communication system and to provide a mechanism for auto-detection and auto-selection between the Ethernet interface and USB Device interface through some Station Management Register access wherein the Network Microcontroller'"'"'s Ethernet MAC can access two PHY devices through the same Station Management Interface.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A network communication system, comprising:
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an Ethernet PHY (physical layer) interface connecting through transformer and RJ-45 connector to Ethernet network by Ethernet cable; an Ethernet MAC (Media Access Controller) interface connecting to said Ethernet PHY interface; a USB-to-Ethernet bridge (Universal Serial Bus to Ethernet) interface connecting to said Ethernet MAC; a packet buffer connecting to said USB-to-Ethernet bridge interface; a USB PHY/SIE (Serial Interface Engine) interface connecting to said USB-to-Ethernet bridge interface; a Station Management interface connecting to said USB PHY/SIE interface, said Ethernet PHY interface and Ethernet network, wherein said system operates as a USB-to-Ethernet controller or as a USB-to-Reverse-MII (USB-to-Reverse-Media Independent Interface) Bridging or Ethernet PHY in Dual-PHY mode; and said Station Management interface provides a mechanism for auto-detection and auto-selection between external Ethernet interface and USB Device interface through Station Management Register access wherein the Network Microcontroller'"'"'s Ethernet MAC access said USB PHY/SIE interface and said Ethernet PHY interface through the same Station Management interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A network communication system, comprising:
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a network microcontroller connecting to a Station Management interface; a Rev-MII (Reverse Media Independent Interface) type Station Management interface connected to a network microcontroller; an Ethernet MAC (Media Access Controller) interface connecting to said Rev-MII interface; a USB-to-Ethernet bridge interface connecting to said Ethernet MAC; a packet buffer connecting to said USB-to-Ethernet bridge interface; a USB PHY/SIE (Serial Interface Engine) interface connecting to said USB-to-Ethernet bridge interface; an Ethernet PHY (physical layer) interface connecting through transformer and RJ-45 connector to Ethernet network by Ethernet cable; a PM (PHY mode) Station Management Register; a MUX (multiplexer) controlled by said PM Station Management Register to select said Ethernet PHY interface or said Rev-MII interface; and a Station Management interface connecting to said USB PHY/SIE interface, Ethernet PHY'"'"'s MII interface and Ethernet network. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A network communication system, comprising:
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a network microcontroller connecting to a Station Management interface; said Station Management interface connecting to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) PHY (physical layer) interface, an Ethernet PHY interface and Ethernet network, wherein said system operates as a USB-to-Ethernet controller in Dual-PHY mode; two sets of Station Management Registers;
an Embedded Ethernet PHY'"'"'s Station Management Register and a PM (PHY mode) Station Management Register for mode configuration and link status monitoring;a PM_Control (PHY mode control) register in said PM Station Management Register; and a Network Microcontroller'"'"'s Ethernet MAC (Media Access Controller) driver initializing an Embedded Ethernet PHY to power-on state by accessing said PM_Control register in said PM Station Management Register through MDC (Management Data Clock) and MDIO (Management Interface) lines, wherein said Station Management interface provides a mechanism for auto-detection and auto-selection between external Ethernet interface and USB Device interface through Station Management Register access wherein the Network Microcontroller'"'"'s Ethernet MAC access a USB PHY/SIE interface and an Ethernet PHY interface through said Station Management interface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification