Ethernet architecture, communication equipment and automatic negotiation and link training method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of Ethernet communication, and discloses an Ethernet architecture, communication equipment and an auto-negotiation and link training method, the Ethernet architecture comprises an Ethernet control module, a physical medium adaptation layer, a switching module, and an auto-negotiation control module and a link switching module which are arranged corresponding to a channel; wherein the physical medium adaptation layer is internally provided with at least one channel; the auto-negotiation control module is used for executing an auto-negotiation function; the link switching module is used for switching to a data link between the corresponding channel and the auto-negotiation control module in the auto-negotiation process, and switching to a data link between the corresponding channel and the Ethernet control module after the auto-negotiation is completed; and the switching module is respectively connected with the auto-negotiation control module and the channels, and the switching module is used for transmitting the auto-negotiation result output by the auto-negotiation control module to any channel so as to drive the channel to carry out link training. According to the invention, the problem that the channel configuration flexibility of the link in the Ethernet architecture is poor can be solved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of Ethernet communication, in particular to an Ethernet architecture, a communication device and an auto-negotiation and link training method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Before high-speed Ethernet communication, rate adaptation needs to be performed between communication devices through auto-negotiation (AN). The auto-negotiation is only performed on a pre-configured main lane of a physical medium adaptation layer, thereby leading to poor flexibility of lane configuration of a link in the Ethernet architecture. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application provides an Ethernet architecture, a communication device and an auto-negotiation and link training method to solve the problem of poor flexibility of lane configuration of a link in the Ethernet architecture.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides an Ethernet architecture, comprising: an Ethernet control module; a physical medium adaptation layer, wherein at least one lane is arranged in the physical medium adaptation layer; an auto-negotiation control module and a link switching module corresponding to the lane; wherein the auto-negotiation control module is configured to perform an auto-negotiation function; the link switching module is configured to switch to a data link corresponding to the lane and the auto-negotiation control module during the auto-negotiation process, and switch to a data link corresponding to the lane and the Ethernet control module after the auto-negotiation is completed; a switching module, which is connected with the auto-negotiation control module and the lane respectively, and is configured to transmit an auto-negotiation result output by the auto-negotiation control module to any of the lanes, so as to drive the lane to perform link training.

[0005] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising: the Ethernet architecture of the first aspect or any of the corresponding embodiments.

[0006] In a third aspect, the present application provides an auto-negotiation and link training method, which is applicable to the above-mentioned Ethernet architecture, and the method comprises: the link switching module switches to a data link corresponding to a lane of a physical medium adaptation layer and an auto-negotiation control module during an auto-negotiation process; the auto-negotiation control module performs an auto-negotiation function through the lane and a peer communication device; The switching module transmits the self-negotiation result output by the self-negotiation control module to any of the channels of the physical media adaptation layer, so as to drive the channel to perform link training.

[0007] The Ethernet architecture of the present disclosure has the self-negotiation control module and the link switching module separately arranged for each channel in the physical media adaptation layer. Each self-negotiation control module can be used to perform the self-negotiation function. Each link switching module can be used to switch the data link between the corresponding channel and the self-negotiation control module during the self-negotiation process, and switch the data link between the corresponding channel and the Ethernet control module after the self-negotiation is completed. Therefore, each channel in the physical media adaptation layer can work as a master channel to perform automatic negotiation. Meanwhile, the Ethernet architecture also has a switching module configured for the physical media adaptation layer, which is connected with the self-negotiation control module and the channel respectively, and is used to transmit the self-negotiation result output by the self-negotiation control module to any of the channels, so as to drive the channel to perform link training. Therefore, while flexibly selecting the master channel for automatic negotiation, the effective execution of link training can be ensured, and then the channels of the physical media adaptation layer can be arbitrarily selected to form a link, so as to improve the channel configuration flexibility of the link in the Ethernet architecture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings needed in the specific embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0009] Figure 1 is an Ethernet architecture diagram in a two-link scenario in the related art; Figure 2 is an Ethernet architecture diagram of multiple channels of a single link in the related art; Figure 3 is an Ethernet architecture diagram of 200Gbps in the related art; Figure 4 is a structural block diagram of an Ethernet architecture according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 5 is a structural block diagram of another Ethernet architecture according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 6 is a flowchart of an automatic negotiation and link training method according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0011] The terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purpose, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0012] Before high-speed Ethernet communication, rate adaptation needs to be performed between communication devices. One method is through fixed configuration, and another is to determine the best configuration supported by both parties through negotiation, which is called Auto-negotiation (AN) for short, and is only performed on a specific Link. Link is a unit of transmission unit in high-speed interface, which is composed of two ports and their connected channels. In the cable or backplane communication scenario, the transmission signal characteristics need to be adjusted to ensure the best link transmission, which needs to be realized by Link training (LT).

[0013] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the related art Ethernet architecture, an Ethernet control module includes a Link, and a Link can include one or more lanes (Lane). The Ethernet control module, i.e. Ethernet Media Access Controller (EMAC), supports Ethernet packet transmission. A Lane is composed of a group of differential signal pairs, one pair for transmission and the other pair for reception.

[0014] The traditional Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) limits the overall capability of Ethernet. For example, when the design requirement is 4 Lanes in a single Link to support 200Gbps transmission rate, its Ethernet structure is usually as shown in Figure 3As shown in the figure. After the system is powered on, the self-negotiation module is configured through the peripheral bus, the module sends a self-negotiation sequence to channel 0 and interacts with the chip of the communication device at the other end, and confirms the current running rate of the Ethernet module at the other end. After obtaining the feedback, the self-negotiation module sends a self-negotiation state (an_status) signal and a self-negotiation rate selection (an_rate_select) signal to the physical medium attachment (PMA), and the channels 0 to 3 of the PMA immediately perform the LT work to complete the link training.

[0015] Therefore, the link channel configuration flexibility in the Ethernet architecture of the related art is poor.

[0016] Therefore, in the embodiment, an Ethernet architecture is provided to improve the flexibility of the channel configuration of the link in the Ethernet architecture. Referring to Figure 4 The Ethernet architecture of the embodiment includes an Ethernet control module and a physical medium attachment layer. The physical medium attachment layer is provided with at least one channel.

[0017] Optionally, the Ethernet control module is an Ethernet media access controller (EMAC). One end of the Ethernet control module is connected with a high-speed bus interface of an AXI (Advanced eXtensible Interface) protocol.

[0018] The Ethernet architecture provided by the embodiment further includes a self-negotiation control module and a link switching module corresponding to the channel. The self-negotiation control module is used to perform a self-negotiation function; and the link switching module is used to switch the data link between the corresponding channel and the self-negotiation control module during the self-negotiation process, and switch the data link between the corresponding channel and the Ethernet control module after the self-negotiation is completed.

[0019] The self-negotiation control module (also referred to as an AN_CTRL module) can realize the basic functions of automatic negotiation, including sending of automatic negotiation data, receiving of automatic negotiation data, checking of automatic negotiation data, outputting of an automatic negotiation completion signal, and outputting of a self-negotiation result.

[0020] Exemplarily, referring to Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the Ethernet architecture of the embodiment can increase the instantiation number of the self-negotiation control module to 4, and each channel has a self-negotiation control module, so that each channel of the physical medium attachment layer can work as a master channel for automatic negotiation.

[0021] Optionally, the link switching module is a multiplexer (MUX).

[0022] It can be understood that, since the auto-negotiation signal sent by the auto-negotiation control module needs to multiplex the data path of the channel, and after the auto-negotiation related work is completed, the link needs to be switched to the data path connected with the Ethernet control module, the link switching module is introduced. Exemplarily, referring to the example of the Ethernet architecture of the present embodiment shown in Figure 4 The physical media adaptation layer shown in Figure 4 The physical media adaptation layer shown in

[0023] The Ethernet architecture provided by the present embodiment further comprises a switching module, which is connected with the auto-negotiation control module and the channel respectively, and is configured to transmit the auto-negotiation result output by the auto-negotiation control module to any channel, so as to drive the channel to perform link training.

[0024] Optionally, the switching module is a control link switch (CTRL_CROSS_BAR).

[0025] It is worth noting that, in order to support single link, multiple links, single channel and multiple channel scenarios, the switching module is configured for the channel of the physical media adaptation layer, so as to ensure that the control signal (such as the auto-negotiation result) of any auto-negotiation control module can be broadcasted or routed to the control end of any channel through the switching module, triggering any channel to perform link training, and improving the flexibility of the channel configuration of the link.

[0026] The Ethernet architecture provided by the present embodiment comprises an auto-negotiation control module and a link switching module for each channel in the physical media adaptation layer. The auto-negotiation control module can be used to perform the auto-negotiation function. The link switching module can be used to switch to the data link between the corresponding channel and the auto-negotiation control module during the auto-negotiation process, and switch to the data link between the corresponding channel and the Ethernet control module after the auto-negotiation is completed. Therefore, each channel in the physical media adaptation layer can be used as a master channel to perform auto-negotiation. Meanwhile, the Ethernet architecture further comprises a switching module configured for the physical media adaptation layer, which is connected with the auto-negotiation control module and the channel respectively, and is configured to transmit the auto-negotiation result output by the auto-negotiation control module to any channel, so as to drive the channel to perform link training. Therefore, while the master channel used for auto-negotiation is flexibly selected, the effective execution of link training can be ensured, and thus, the channel of the physical media adaptation layer can be arbitrarily selected to form a link, so as to improve the flexibility of the channel configuration of the link in the Ethernet architecture.

[0027] It is worth mentioning that in some related technologies, automatic negotiation and link training are placed in the physical media adaptation layer, and the master channel and the link switching module (MUX) of the self-negotiation module and the Ethernet control module are configured outside the physical media adaptation layer, and the link binding and master-slave channel selection are realized through external software logic. The automatic negotiation and link training are extracted from the physical media adaptation layer, and the link switching module is configured between the physical media adaptation layer and the automatic negotiation control module, which can effectively improve the clock rate.

[0028] In some optional embodiments, referring to Figure 5 , the number of physical media adaptation layers is multiple, and the switching modules are correspondingly arranged with the physical media adaptation layers, and the different switching modules are connected with each other.

[0029] Specifically, the number of switching modules corresponds to the number of physical media adaptation layers, and the switching modules are arranged one by one with the physical media adaptation layers.

[0030] The Ethernet architecture provided by the embodiment can support the splicing of multiple physical media adaptation layers at the same time, realize the scenario that one link can support multiple channels, and increase the physical media adaptation layers and channels according to actual needs. At the same time, it is ensured that the control signals (such as self-negotiation results) of any self-negotiation control module can be broadcasted or routed to the control end of any channel through the switching module, and the control signals of the channels of other physical media adaptation layers can trigger any channel to perform link training, thereby improving the flexibility of channel configuration in the link.

[0031] In some optional embodiments, the switching module is configured to transmit the self-negotiation result output by the self-negotiation control module to any channel, including: the switching module is configured to transmit the self-negotiation result output by the connected self-negotiation control module to the channel corresponding to the physical media adaptation layer; and / or the switching module is configured to transmit the self-negotiation result output by the connected self-negotiation control module to other switching modules, so that the other switching modules transmit the received self-negotiation result to the channel corresponding to the physical media adaptation layer.

[0032] Referring to Figure 5 , assuming that the channel of the first physical media adaptation layer is the master channel, the self-negotiation result of the channel corresponding self-negotiation control module is transmitted to the connected switching module, and the switching module can only transmit the self-negotiation result to any channel of the first physical media adaptation layer, or can transmit the self-negotiation result to the switching module corresponding to the second physical media adaptation layer, and the switching module transmits the self-negotiation result to any channel of the second physical media adaptation layer.

[0033] The Ethernet architecture provided by the embodiment can not only transmit the self-configuration result output by the connected self-configuration control module to the channel of the corresponding physical media adaptation layer, but also transmit the self-configuration result to other switching modules, so that other switching modules transmit the received self-configuration result to the channel of the corresponding physical media adaptation layer. Therefore, the self-configuration result of any self-configuration control module can be broadcasted or routed to any channel through the switching module, so as to realize the multi-channel scene.

[0034] In some optional embodiments, the Ethernet architecture further comprises an advanced peripheral bus connected with the self-configuration control modules, which is used to receive the self-configuration sent by the processor and the module information of the self-configuration control module used to execute the self-configuration function, and forward the self-configuration to the corresponding self-configuration control module according to the module information, so that the self-configuration control module executes the self-configuration function.

[0035] It can be understood that the advanced peripheral bus (APB) is used to connect the processor (such as the central processing unit) and each self-configuration control module.

[0036] The above self-configuration can include the rate limit and other configurations related to automatic negotiation. The processor can determine the main channel in the channel of the physical media adaptation layer according to the actual demand, and take the self-configuration control module of the main channel as the self-configuration control module used to execute the self-configuration function. The processor sends the module information (such as the module identifier and the module position) of the determined self-configuration control module to the advanced peripheral bus together with the self-configuration. The advanced peripheral bus automatically forwards the self-configuration to the corresponding self-configuration control module according to the module information, so as to drive the self-configuration control module to execute the self-configuration function.

[0037] The Ethernet architecture provided by the embodiment sends the module information of the self-configuration control module used to execute the self-configuration function to the advanced peripheral bus together with the self-configuration. Therefore, the channel and the self-configuration control module used for automatic negotiation can be flexibly selected according to the actual demand.

[0038] In some optional embodiments, the Ethernet architecture further comprises a bus bridge used to connect the self-configuration control modules and the advanced peripheral bus.

[0039] In the physical media adaptation layer shown in FIG. 4, the advanced peripheral bus is used to connect the self-configuration control modules and the processor. Figure 5 Taking the physical media adaptation layer with four channels as an example, since four self-configuration control modules are instantiated, the data of the four self-configuration control modules needs to be converged to the top-level advanced peripheral bus interface by using the bus bridge (Bridge).

[0040] In some optional embodiments, the number of physical media adaptation layers is multiple, and the bus bridge is correspondingly arranged with the physical media adaptation layers. That is, the number of bus bridges is consistent with the number of physical media adaptation layers, and each bus bridge corresponds to one physical media adaptation layer.

[0041] In some optional embodiments, the self-negotiation control module is configured to perform the self-negotiation function, including that the self-negotiation control module is configured to receive the self-negotiation configuration sent by the processor, and perform the self-negotiation function according to the self-negotiation configuration.

[0042] For example, the self-negotiation control module can negotiate the communication rate with the peer communication device according to the rate configuration in the self-negotiation configuration.

[0043] In some optional embodiments, the self-negotiation control module is configured to perform the self-negotiation function according to the self-negotiation configuration, including that the self-negotiation control module is configured to receive the self-negotiation signal of the peer communication device through the corresponding channel, process the self-negotiation signal according to the self-negotiation configuration to obtain the self-negotiation result, and feed back the self-negotiation result to the peer communication device through the corresponding channel to realize the self-negotiation function.

[0044] The self-negotiation signal carries the running rate of the peer communication device, and the self-negotiation control module can determine the communication rate for communication with the peer communication device according to the self-negotiation configuration and the running rate of the peer communication device, so as to adapt to the running rate of the peer communication device. At the same time, the rate configuration in the self-negotiation configuration can be met.

[0045] It is worth noting that the Ethernet architecture provided by the present disclosure uses a multi-self-negotiation control module combined with a control-end switching module scheme, which can meet single-link, multi-link, single-channel, and multi-channel scenarios. A cross-physical media adaptation layer switching module design is provided, which can realize the expansion of the number of multi-channels under single-link, thereby effectively improving the overall data throughput of the Ethernet. Compared with the related art, the automatic negotiation and link training flexibility of the Ethernet architecture of the present disclosure is increased, which can effectively compatible with single-link, multi-link, single-channel, and multi-channel scenarios.

[0046] In the present embodiment, a communication device is also provided, which includes the Ethernet architecture of any of the above embodiments.

[0047] Further, the communication device can also include a processor (e.g., a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, etc.) that can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to a program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) or a program loaded from a storage into a random access memory (RAM). In the RAM, various programs and data required for operation of the communication device are also stored. The processor, the ROM, and the RAM are connected to each other through a bus. An input / output interface (I / O) is also connected to the bus.

[0048] Generally, the following devices can be connected to the I / O interface: input devices including, for example, a touch screen, a touch pad, a keyboard, a mouse, a camera, a microphone, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, etc.; output devices including, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a speaker, a vibrator, etc.; storage including, for example, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, etc.; and a communication device. The communication device can allow the communication device to communicate with other devices wirelessly or by wire to exchange data.

[0049] The communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application can perform the Ethernet architecture provided by any of the embodiments of the present application, and has the corresponding function modules and beneficial effects of the execution method. The further function description of the above-mentioned various modules and units is the same as that of the corresponding embodiments described above, and will not be described here again.

[0050] In the present embodiment, an automatic negotiation and link training method is also provided, which is used to implement the above-mentioned Ethernet architecture embodiments and preferred embodiments, and has been described above and will not be described here again.

[0051] The present embodiment provides an automatic negotiation and link training method, as shown in Figure 6 , comprising: Step S601, the link switching module switches to the data link between the self-negotiation control module and the channel corresponding to the physical media adaptation layer in the self-negotiation process.

[0052] Step S602, the self-negotiation control module performs a self-negotiation function through the channel corresponding to the opposite communication device.

[0053] Step S603, the exchange module transmits the self-negotiation result output by the self-negotiation control module to any of the channels of the physical media adaptation layer to drive the channel to perform link training.

[0054] In some optional embodiments, the automatic negotiation and link training method of the present disclosure further comprises: the peripheral bus of the Ethernet architecture receives the self-negotiation configuration sent by the processor and the module information of the target self-negotiation control module for performing the self-negotiation function; and the peripheral bus forwards the self-negotiation configuration to the target self-negotiation control module according to the module information.

[0055] Further, the self-negotiation control module performs the self-negotiation function on the channel and the peer communication device by corresponding to the self-negotiation configuration, including that the target self-negotiation control module receives the self-negotiation configuration and performs the self-negotiation function according to the self-negotiation configuration.

[0056] The automatic negotiation and link training method provided by the embodiments of the present application can execute the Ethernet architecture provided by any of the embodiments of the present application, and has the beneficial effects of the Ethernet architecture. Further function descriptions of the above-mentioned modules and units are the same as those of the corresponding embodiments, and will not be described here again.

[0057] Although the embodiments of the present application are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, and such modifications and changes fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An Ethernet architecture, characterized in that, include: Ethernet control module; A physical media adapter layer, wherein the physical media adapter layer has at least one channel; A self-negotiation control module and a link switching module are configured corresponding to the channel; wherein, the self-negotiation control module is used to perform the self-negotiation function; the link switching module is used to switch to the data link between the corresponding channel and the self-negotiation control module during the self-negotiation process, and to switch to the data link between the corresponding channel and the Ethernet control module after the self-negotiation is completed; A switching module is connected to both the auto-negotiation control module and the channel. The switching module is used to transmit the auto-negotiation result output by the auto-negotiation control module to any of the channels to drive the channels to perform link training.

2. The Ethernet architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple physical media adapter layers, and the switching modules are configured corresponding to the physical media adapter layers. Different switching modules are interconnected.

3. The Ethernet architecture according to claim 2, characterized in that, The switching module is used to transmit the auto-negotiation result output by the auto-negotiation control module to any of the channels, including: The switching module is used to transmit the auto-negotiation result output by the connected auto-negotiation control module to the channel corresponding to the physical media adaptation layer. And / or, the switching module is used to transmit the auto-negotiation result output by the connected auto-negotiation control module to other switching modules, so that the other switching modules transmit the received auto-negotiation result to the channel corresponding to the physical media adapter layer.

4. The Ethernet architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: An external bus is connected to the auto-negotiation control module. The external bus is used to receive the auto-negotiation configuration sent by the processor and the module information of the auto-negotiation control module for executing the auto-negotiation function, and forwards the auto-negotiation configuration to the corresponding auto-negotiation control module according to the module information, so that the auto-negotiation control module executes the auto-negotiation function.

5. The Ethernet architecture according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: A bus bridge is used to connect the auto-negotiation control module with the peripheral bus.

6. The Ethernet architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The self-negotiation control module is used to perform the self-negotiation function, including: The auto-negotiation control module is used to receive the auto-negotiation configuration sent by the processor and execute the auto-negotiation function according to the auto-negotiation configuration.

7. The Ethernet architecture according to claim 6, characterized in that, The auto-negotiation control module is used to execute the auto-negotiation function according to the auto-negotiation configuration, including: The auto-negotiation control module is used to receive auto-negotiation signals from the peer communication device through the corresponding channel, process the auto-negotiation signals according to the auto-negotiation configuration, obtain the auto-negotiation result, and feed back the auto-negotiation result to the peer communication device through the corresponding channel to realize the auto-negotiation function.

8. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The Ethernet architecture as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An automatic negotiation and link training method, characterized in that, The method, applicable to the Ethernet architecture of any one of claims 1 to 7, comprises: During the auto-negotiation process, the link switching module switches to the data link between the channel of the corresponding physical media adaptation layer and the auto-negotiation control module. The auto-negotiation control module performs an auto-negotiation function with the peer communication device through the corresponding channel; The switching module transmits the auto-negotiation result output by the auto-negotiation control module to any of the channels in the physical media adaptation layer to drive the channel to perform link training.

10. The automatic negotiation and link training method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The peripheral bus of the Ethernet architecture receives the auto-negotiation configuration and the module information of the target auto-negotiation control module used to perform the auto-negotiation function sent by the processor. The peripheral bus forwards the auto-negotiation configuration to the target auto-negotiation control module according to the module information; The self-negotiation control module performs a self-negotiation function with the peer communication device through the corresponding channel, including: The target auto-negotiation control module receives the auto-negotiation configuration and executes the auto-negotiation function according to the auto-negotiation configuration.

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