Patent ID: 7010612

Claim:
A deserializer for receiving data transmitted over a network, the deserializer in a universal serializer/deserializer programmable for implementing two or more communications protocols, the deserializer comprising: a programmable receive data circuit for receiving the data, for performing initial data receive functions, and for coupling to a network connection; a synchronization circuit for selectably detecting a synchronization pattern in the data, the synchronization circuit configured to be programmed with the synchronization pattern corresponding to a current protocol of the two or more communications protocols, and coupled to the programmable receive data circuit for signaling a match signal in response to matching the synchronization pattern with the data; a selectable CRC circuit for detecting errors in the data and determining integrity of the data, the selectable CRC circuit coupled to the programmable receive data circuit for signaling in response to detecting an error or in the data; a data storage device for storing the data to be accessed by a CPU, the data storage device coupled to the programmable receive data circuit for receiving the data; and an interrupt generator for generating interrupt signals in response to interrupt generating signals, the interrupt generator coupled to the programmable receive data circuit, the selectable CRC circuit, the synchronization circuit, and the data storage device for receiving the interrupt generating signals, and coupled to the CPU for providing the interrupt signals.