Patent ID: 8036202
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
1. A Physical Layer Transceiver (PHY), comprising: analog circuitry configured to transmit to, and receive data from, a data transmission medium external to the PHY; storage; digital circuitry coupled to said analog circuitry, with said digital circuitry configured to transmit to, and receive from, a Media Access Controller (MAC) external to the PHY, said digital circuitry including interface circuitry configured to communicate timestamps stored in said storage to an external device that is external to the PHY; and timing circuitry, coupled to said digital circuitry, configured to generate timestamps; wherein the PHY is configured to cause a timestamp to be stored in said storage for each of a plurality of frames; wherein “PHY” is defined to be the Physical Layer Transceiver itself, and which is different than a particular device, such as a transceiver card or board, including the PHY or including the PHY and the MAC.