Patent ID: 7477611
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. An auto negotiation state machine for use by auto negotiation circuitry of a wired Ethernet transceiver that supports communications with an Ethernet link partner at a plurality of rates including a lowest rate and a plurality of higher rates, the state machine comprising: a start state that is entered when reset is asserted, when auto negotiation is disabled, or when auto negotiation is restarted; an idle state that is entered from the start state when reset is deasserted and when auto negotiation is enabled, when in the idle state, the auto negotiation circuitry is operable to: a link pass state that is entered from the idle state when the attempt to establish the link with the Ethernet link partner is successful; and a link fail state that is entered from the idle state when the attempt to establish the link with the Ethernet link partner is unsuccessful.