Patent ID: 8514731
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A variable-frequency network device for establishing a connection with a remote network device, the variable-frequency network device comprising: a physical layer circuit for transmitting packets to the remote network device and receiving packets that are outputted by the remote network device, the physical layer circuit including: a communications protocol exchanging circuit for providing a plurality of local communications protocols to the remote network device, and receiving a remote communications protocol provided by the remote network device, wherein the plurality of local communications protocols include a local standard communications protocol and a local variable-frequency communications protocol; and a connection rate control circuit coupled to the communications protocol exchanging circuit for generating an indicator signal in accordance with the plurality of local communications protocols and the remote communications protocol; and a variable-frequency clock generator, coupled to the connection rate control circuit, the variable-frequency clock generator operating in one of a standard mode and a variable-frequency mode according to the indicator signal; wherein the standard mode is one of a 10 Mbps mode, a 100 Mbps mode, a 1 Gbps mode and a 10 Gbps mode, and the variable-frequency mode is a mode that excludes a 10 Mbps mode, a 100 Mbps mode, a 1 Gbps mode and a 10 Gbps mode.