Patent ID: 6275498
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
Apparatus for addressing a greater number of PHYS in a telecommunications device than may be directly addressed using PHY management messages employing a predetermined number of address bits for PHY addressing, said apparatus comprising:a controller operative to produce bus selection output signals;control logic, said controller coupled to said control logic via a serial link and operative to transmit information to said control logic via said serial link employing said PHY management messages and to receive data from said control logic over said serial link;a plurality of serial bidirectional control buses coupled to said control logic;at least one PHY coupled to each of said plurality of control buses wherein the number of PHYS coupled to each of said plurality of management control buses is equal to or less than the number of PHYS which may be addressed using said predetermined number of address bits in said PHY management messages;said control logic being responsive to said bus selection output signals to selectively couple one of said plurality of serial bidirectional control buses to said serial link to permit addressed message communication from said controller to a specified one of said at least one PHY coupled to the respective selectively coupled serial bidirectional control bus.