Service channel over the Ethernet inter-frame gap

摘要

An interface for transmitting and receiving service channel frames over an Ethernet includes an Ethernet physical layer and a physical service channel. The Ethernet physical layer is configured to transmit and receive Ethernet frames over an Ethernet physical medium. The physical service channel is configured to transmit and receive service channel frames over the Ethernet physical medium. In operation, the physical service channel transmits the service channel frames within inter-frame gaps defined by the Ethernet frames so as not to interfere with the transmission or receipt of the Ethernet frames.