Patent ID: 6671758
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A bus interface for exchanging data blocks within a communications system between a PHY and a Link Layer device, said PHY having:i) a transmit interface wherein said transmit interface is electrically coupled to said link layer device over said bus interface; ii) a receive interface wherein said receive interface is electrically coupled to said link layer device over said bus interface; iii) a transmit ready signal generator operative to generate a transmit ready signal wherein asserting said transmit ready signal pauses a transfer of said data blocks from said link layer device to said PHY; iv) a start of transfer signal generator operative to generate a start of transfer signal wherein asserting said start of transfer signal indicates a first data block of an exchange of said data blocks; v) an end of packet signal generator operative to generate an end of packet signal wherein asserting said end of packet signal indicates a last data block of an exchange of said data blocks; vi) a chip select signal generator operative to generate a chip select signal wherein said chip select signal indicates the selection of a PHY device or a PHY port of said PHY; and said link layer device having:i) a transmit interface wherein said transmit interface is electrically coupled to said PHY over said bus interface; ii) a receive interface wherein said receive interface is electrically coupled to said PHY over said bus interface; iii) a transmit ready signal generator operative to generate a transmit ready signal wherein asserting said transmit ready signal pauses a transfer of said data blocks from said link layer device to said PHY; iv) a start of transfer signal generator operative to generate a start of transfer signal wherein asserting said start of transfer signal indicates a first data block of an exchange of said data blocks; v) an end of packet signal generator operative to generate an end of packet signal wherein asserting said end of packet signal indicates a last data block of an exchange of said data blocks.