Robust low rate data channel in LPI mode for energy-efficient ethernet applications

摘要

A communication technique for energy efficient Ethernet (EEE) employs a systematic block forward error correcting code (FEC). The technique aligns a low power idle (LPI) refresh signal with the FEC frame. The refresh signal includes a known reference sequence, FEC systematic symbols, and FEC parity symbols. The technique may apply shortened FEC encoding and decoding on the partial data symbols and the parity symbols.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a physical layer interface; and media access control circuitry coupled to the physical layer interface, the media access control circuitry configured to:
determine when a low power mode of operation is active;determine to send a hybrid refresh signal while the low power mode of operation is active; andsend the hybrid refresh signal through the physical layer interface by sending:
a known reference sequence;systematic symbols representing data to be transmitted to a link partner; andforward error correcting (FEC) parity symbols determined from the systematic symbols.