Chip-to-chip interface for 1000 base T gigabit physical layer device

摘要

A network device includes a first integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit includes a media access controller and a first serializer interface in communication with the media access controller. The second integrated circuit includes a physical layer interface in communication with an external device. The second integrated circuit also includes a second serializer interface in communication with the physical layer interface and the first serializer interface. The second serializer interface communicates with the first serializer interface at a predetermined data transmission rate regardless of a negotiated transmission rate between the network device and the external device.