Patent ID: 7187307
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A communication system, including: a first endpoint; a second endpoint, including physical and link layer circuitry and higher level circuitry coupled to the physical and link layer circuitry; and a serial link between the first endpoint and the second endpoint, wherein the first endpoint is configured to generate encoded data in accordance with a line code, and to transmit the encoded data over the link to the second endpoint, and wherein the physical and link layer circuitry of the second endpoint is coupled to the link and configured to decode the encoded data to recover application data and control bits, to perform at least one link level function in response to at least one of the control bits, and to assert at least one control signal indicative of at least another one of the control bits to the higher level circuitry, and wherein the higher level circuitry is configured to perform at least one higher level function in response to the at least one control signal.