Reversible media independent interface circuit

摘要

A reversible media independent interface (MII) circuit is disclosed. The MII circuit comprises a first management circuit and a second management circuit. The MII circuit also includes a plurality of signals being provided to and sent from the MII circuit. A first portion of the plurality of signals are reversible such that they operate within either a physical layer device in a first mode or a media access control device in a second mode. A second portion of the plurality of the signals are provided the first management circuit and the second management circuit. The second portion of the plurality of signals are modifiable such that they are utilized by the first management circuit in the first mode and are utilized by the second management circuit in the second mode. In one embodiment by allowing the portion of the plurality of signals to be in a first and second mode (i.e., forward or reverse). The MII interface can be reversed such that it looks likes the MII interface found on either the PHY or MAC device. Accordingly, then either the MAC device can then be connected directly to the repeater without any PHYs or vice versa.