Physical layer device with integrated switch
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An integrated circuit comprising:
- a media access controller (MAC);
a digital signal processing module configured to receive an information signal from the MAC and to output a processed signal;
a first analog front end (AFE) having a first communication port;
a second AFE having a second communication port; and
a digital switch configured to receive the processed signal, wherein the digital switch selectively forwards the processed signal to either the first AFE or the second AFE based on whether a communication link at either the first communication port or the second communication port is established, wherein the processed signal is converted from digital to analog by one of the first AFE or the second AFE.
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Abstract
Switching between communication ports of a notebook is typically accomplished using an off-chip local area network (LAN) switch or an off-chip high speed analog multiplexer. This off-chip component is disadvantageous for several reasons, including: added cost of an additional component; increased overall power consumption because transmit amplitude loss; and reduced cable reach and link performance due to hybrid mismatch and signal distortions. To reduce cost and preserve electrical and networking performance, an integrated switch is provided to multiplex signals of a networking communication chip to multiple network paths.
50 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit comprising:
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a media access controller (MAC); a digital signal processing module configured to receive an information signal from the MAC and to output a processed signal; a first analog front end (AFE) having a first communication port; a second AFE having a second communication port; and a digital switch configured to receive the processed signal, wherein the digital switch selectively forwards the processed signal to either the first AFE or the second AFE based on whether a communication link at either the first communication port or the second communication port is established, wherein the processed signal is converted from digital to analog by one of the first AFE or the second AFE. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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8. An integrated circuit, comprising:
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a media access controller (MAC); a first physical layer module (PHY); a second PHY; a digital switch having an input coupled to the MAC, a first output coupled to the first PHY, and a second output coupled to the second signal PHY, wherein the digital switch is configured to forward information received from the MAC to either the first or second PHY based on whether a communication port of the second PHY is active, wherein the information is converted from digital to analog by one of the first AFE or the second AFE. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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18. An integrated circuit comprising:
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a media access controller (MAC); a digital signal processing module configured to receive an information signal from the MAC and to output a processed signal; a first analog front end (AFE) having a first communication port; a second AFE having a second communication port; and a digital switch having an input directly connected to an output of the digital signal processing module and respective outputs directly connected to respective inputs of the first and second AFEs, wherein the digital switch selectively forwards the processed signal to either the first AFE or the second AFE based on whether a communication link at either the first communication port or the second communication port is established, wherein the processed signal is converted from digital to analog by one of the first AFE or the second AFE. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification