A mii interface and server

Abstract

The application discloses an MII interface, comprising: a first data line group, the first data line group comprising a first data line and a second data line, wherein the first data line and the second data line are used for transmitting data and receiving feedback information generated by a counter terminal based on the received data; a second data line group, the second data line group comprising a third data line and a fourth data line, wherein the third data line and the fourth data line are used for receiving data and transmitting feedback information generated based on the received data to the counter terminal. The application also discloses a server. The scheme provided by the application changes the data line for transmitting data into bidirectional transmission, and utilizes TXD and RXD signal lines to realize data transmission and error information feedback, thereby saving data lines while retaining the function of feeding back error information and ensuring the reliability of data transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of servers, and more specifically to an MII interface and a server. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 1 As shown, MII is the interface between the MAC and PHY. The MII data interface contains 16 signals and 2 management interface signals. MII transmits data bidirectionally in 4-bit nibbles.

[0003] TX_CLK and RX_CLK are provided by the PHY, while CRS and COL do not need to be synchronized with the reference clock and are only valid in PHY half-duplex mode. The MDIO interface is the management interface, used for the management and control of the MAC and PHY, and for reading and writing the PHY's control registers and status registers.

[0004] Figure 2 As shown, RMII is a simplified MII interface, saving half of the data lines. RMII uses 2 bits of data for transmission and reception, and both transmission and reception clocks use a 50MHz clock source.

[0005] CRS_DV is a combination of the RX_DV and CRS signals in MII. When the physical layer receives the carrier signal, CRS_DV becomes valid and sends data to RXD. The RMII clock, REF_CLK, is provided externally and simultaneously to the MAC and PHY. Then, within the MAC, it is divided into 25MHz and 2.5MHz frequencies, corresponding to 100MHz and 10MHz modes, respectively.

[0006] MII is the interface between the MAC and PHY, supporting 10M and 100M operation, making it a very flexible interface. However, a single MII interface requires 16 wires, and when multiple MII interfaces are needed, the resource consumption is excessive. Therefore, RMII is often used in industry. To simplify the data lines, RMII uses 2-bit data transmission for both transmit and receive, merging the RX_DV and CRS signals, using transmit / receive enable signals to determine COL, and removing TX_ER. Although this simplifies the data lines, its functionality is not comprehensive. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this, in order to overcome at least one aspect of the above problems, embodiments of the present invention propose an MII interface, comprising the following steps:

[0008] The first data line group includes a first data line and a second data line, wherein the first data line and the second data line are used to transmit data and receive feedback information generated by the other end based on the received data;

[0009] The second data line group includes a third data line and a fourth data line, wherein the third data line and the fourth data line are used to receive data and send feedback information generated based on the received data to the other end.

[0010] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0011] The fifth data line is used to enable data transmission;

[0012] Specifically, the fifth data line is set to a high level to start data transmission; once data transmission is complete, the fifth data line is set to a low level.

[0013] The sixth data line is used to enable data reception;

[0014] The transmit data enable of the fifth data line and the receive data enable of the sixth data line are used for collision monitoring.

[0015] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0016] State machine;

[0017] The state machine is configured to switch to a data transmission state in response to detecting that the fifth data line is set to a high level.

[0018] In response to the detection of the falling edge of the fifth data line, the state changes from the data transmission state to the waiting for feedback from the other end.

[0019] In some embodiments, the state machine is further configured to:

[0020] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating that the transmitted data is correct (a first preset value), the state returns to the initial state.

[0021] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating a second preset value representing a data transmission error, feedback is sent to the upper layer.

[0022] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end that represents a third preset value indicating other conditions, it is converted to the corresponding state.

[0023] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0024] The seventh data line is used to send clock signals;

[0025] The eighth data line is used to transmit carrier detection signals;

[0026] The first management data line is used for data management.

[0027] The second management data line is used to manage the data clock.

[0028] Based on the same inventive concept, according to another aspect of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention also provide a server, including an MII interface, the MII interface comprising:

[0029] The first data line group includes a first data line and a second data line, wherein the first data line and the second data line are used to transmit data and receive feedback information generated by the other end based on the received data;

[0030] The second data line group includes a third data line and a fourth data line, wherein the third data line and the fourth data line are used to receive data and send feedback information generated based on the received data to the other end.

[0031] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0032] The fifth data line is used to enable data transmission;

[0033] Specifically, the fifth data line is set to a high level to start data transmission; once data transmission is complete, the fifth data line is set to a low level.

[0034] The sixth data line is used to enable data reception;

[0035] The transmit data enable of the fifth data line and the receive data enable of the sixth data line are used for collision monitoring.

[0036] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0037] State machine;

[0038] The state machine is configured to switch to a data transmission state in response to detecting that the fifth data line is set to a high level.

[0039] In response to the detection of the falling edge of the fifth data line, the state changes from the data transmission state to the waiting for feedback from the other end.

[0040] In some embodiments, the state machine is further configured to:

[0041] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating that the transmitted data is correct (a first preset value), the state returns to the initial state.

[0042] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating a second preset value representing a data transmission error, feedback is sent to the upper layer.

[0043] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end that represents a third preset value indicating other conditions, it is converted to the corresponding state.

[0044] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0045] The seventh data line is used to send clock signals;

[0046] The eighth data line is used to transmit carrier detection signals;

[0047] The first management data line is used for data management.

[0048] The second management data line is used to manage the data clock.

[0049] This invention offers one of the following beneficial technical effects: The proposed solution modifies the data transmission line to bidirectional transmission, utilizing TXD and RXD signal lines to achieve both data transmission and error feedback. This saves on data lines while retaining the error feedback function, ensuring data transmission reliability. Furthermore, it addresses the issue of excessive data signals used by the original MII, which prevented RMII from retaining all its functions. Compared to MII, this solution reduces the number of data signals, while retaining more functions compared to RMII. In particular, it enables timely detection of data transmission errors, facilitating further processing and improving data transmission reliability while simplifying the process. Attached Figure Description

[0050] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0051] Figure 1 These are the MII interface parameters in the existing technology;

[0052] Figure 2 These are the RMII interface parameters in the existing technology;

[0053] Figure 3 MII interface parameters provided for embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0054] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

[0055] It should be noted that all uses of "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of distinguishing two entities or parameters with the same name but different names. It is clear that "first" and "second" are only for the convenience of expression and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. Subsequent embodiments will not explain this in detail.

[0056] In embodiments of this invention, MII (Media Independent Interface) is an Ethernet industry standard defined by IEEE 802.3. It includes a data interface and a management interface between the MAC and PHY. "Media independent" means that any type of PHY device can function correctly without redesigning or replacing the MAC hardware. The MII interface has 16 wires.

[0057] RMII: Reduced Media Independent Interface, which simplifies the MII interface and saves half the data cable.

[0058] MAC: Media Access Control. This protocol is located in the lower half of the data link layer in the OSI seven-layer protocol and is mainly responsible for controlling and connecting the physical media of the physical layer.

[0059] PHY: Physical, also known as the port physical layer, is a common abbreviation for the physical layer of the OSI model. Ethernet is a device that operates on the OSI model physical layer. An Ethernet PHY is a chip that can send and receive Ethernet data frames.

[0060] TXD: Send data.

[0061] RXD: Receive data.

[0062] TX_ER: Data transmission error signal, active high, indicating that the data transmitted within the validity period of TX_ER is invalid.

[0063] RX_ER: Receive data error signal, active high, indicating that data transmitted within the RX_ER validity period is invalid.

[0064] According to one aspect of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention provide a MII interface, such as Figure 3 As shown, it includes a first data line group, which includes a first data line and a second data line. The first data line and the second data line are used to send data and receive feedback information generated by the other end based on the received data.

[0065] The second data line group includes a third data line and a fourth data line, wherein the third data line and the fourth data line are used to receive data and send feedback information generated based on the received data to the other end.

[0066] The proposed solution modifies the data transmission line to bidirectional transmission, utilizing TXD and RXD signal lines to achieve both data transmission and error feedback. This saves on data lines while retaining the error feedback function, ensuring data transmission reliability. It addresses the issue of excessive data signals used by the original MII, which prevented RMII from retaining all its functions. Compared to MII, this solution reduces the number of data signals, while retaining more functions compared to RMII. In particular, it enables timely detection of data transmission errors, facilitating further processing and improving data transmission reliability while simplifying the process.

[0067] In this embodiment of the invention, 2-bit data is used for transmitting and receiving data, therefore each data line group includes two data lines. Both data lines are in-out data lines, meaning that in-out data lines are used to convert TXD[1:0] from unidirectional transmission to bidirectional transmission. This allows TX_ER to be merged into TXD[1:0]. After the data transmission from the MAC to the PHY is complete, TX_ER is transmitted from the PHY to the MAC via the same data line to inform the MAC of the transmission result. The same applies to RXD[1:0].

[0068] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0069] The fifth data line is used to enable data transmission;

[0070] Specifically, the fifth data line is set to a high level to start data transmission; once data transmission is complete, the fifth data line is set to a low level.

[0071] The sixth data line is used to enable data reception;

[0072] The transmit data enable of the fifth data line and the receive data enable of the sixth data line are used for collision monitoring.

[0073] Specifically, TX_EN: Enables sending data. RX_EN: Enables receiving data.

[0074] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0075] State machine;

[0076] The state machine is configured to switch to a data transmission state in response to detecting that the fifth data line is set to a high level.

[0077] In response to the detection of the falling edge of the fifth data line, the state changes from the data transmission state to the waiting for feedback from the other end.

[0078] In some embodiments, the state machine is further configured to:

[0079] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating that the transmitted data is correct (a first preset value), the state returns to the initial state.

[0080] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating a second preset value representing a data transmission error, feedback is sent to the upper layer.

[0081] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end that represents a third preset value indicating other conditions, it is converted to the corresponding state.

[0082] Specifically, when TX_EN is set to high, data begins to be transmitted from the MAC to the PHY. When the data transmission is complete, TX_EN goes low. When the falling edge of TX_EN appears, the state machine transitions from the "sending data" state to the "waiting for PHY feedback" state. At this time, TXD_ER[1:0] is transmitted from the PHY to the MAC. The state machine transitions to different states depending on the value of TXD_ER[1:0].

[0083] (1) If TXD_ER[1:0] is “00”, it proves that there is no error in the data transmission. Then the state machine returns to the initial state or continues to transmit data.

[0084] (2) If TXD_ER[1:0] is “01”, it proves that there is an error in the transmitted data. Then the state machine reports back to the upper layer software and waits for instructions from the upper layer software.

[0085] (3) If TXD_ER[1:0] is “10” or “11”, the state machine can be defined according to the actual situation of the project. Otherwise, it can be left undetermined.

[0086] RXD[1:0] Same as above.

[0087] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0088] The seventh data line is used to send clock signals;

[0089] The eighth data line is used to transmit carrier detection signals;

[0090] The first management data line is used for data management.

[0091] The second management data line is used to manage the data clock.

[0092] Specifically, REF_CLK is an externally provided 50MHz clock, which is also supplied to the MAC and PHY.

[0093] CRS: Carrier Sense. It does not require a synchronous reference clock. CRS is effective as long as there is data transmission. In addition, CRS is only effective when the PHY is in half-duplex mode.

[0094] The proposed solution redesigns the timing of the TXD and RXD data lines, making them compatible with both data transmission and error information transmission. This enables timely detection and processing of error information, saves data signals, reduces costs, ensures functionality, and improves the stability and reliability of data transmission. The solution has a clear structure, is flexible and reliable, and can be reused.

[0095] Based on the same inventive concept, according to another aspect of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention also provide a server, including an MII interface, the MII interface comprising:

[0096] The first data line group includes a first data line and a second data line, wherein the first data line and the second data line are used to transmit data and receive feedback information generated by the other end based on the received data;

[0097] The second data line group includes a third data line and a fourth data line, wherein the third data line and the fourth data line are used to receive data and send feedback information generated based on the received data to the other end.

[0098] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0099] The fifth data line is used to enable data transmission;

[0100] Specifically, the fifth data line is set to a high level to start data transmission; once data transmission is complete, the fifth data line is set to a low level.

[0101] The sixth data line is used to enable data reception;

[0102] The transmit data enable of the fifth data line and the receive data enable of the sixth data line are used for collision monitoring.

[0103] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0104] State machine;

[0105] The state machine is configured to switch to a data transmission state in response to detecting that the fifth data line is set to a high level.

[0106] In response to the detection of the falling edge of the fifth data line, the state changes from the data transmission state to the waiting for feedback from the other end.

[0107] In some embodiments, the state machine is further configured to:

[0108] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating that the transmitted data is correct (a first preset value), the state returns to the initial state.

[0109] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating a second preset value representing a data transmission error, feedback is sent to the upper layer.

[0110] In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end that represents a third preset value indicating other conditions, it is converted to the corresponding state.

[0111] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0112] The seventh data line is used to send clock signals;

[0113] The eighth data line is used to transmit carrier detection signals;

[0114] The first management data line is used for data management.

[0115] The second management data line is used to manage the data clock.

[0116] The above are exemplary embodiments disclosed in this invention. However, it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this invention as defined by the claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the methods according to the disclosed embodiments described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although the elements disclosed in the embodiments of this invention may be described or claimed individually, they may be understood as multiple unless explicitly limited to a singular number.

[0117] It should be understood that, as used herein, the singular form “a” is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly supports an exception. It should also be understood that, as used herein, “and / or” refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0118] The embodiment numbers disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0119] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of the invention (including the claims) is limited to these examples. Within the framework of the invention, technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can be combined, and many other variations of different aspects of the invention exist, which are not provided in the details for the sake of brevity. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the invention should be included within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A MII interface, characterized in that, include: The first data line group includes a first data line and a second data line, wherein the first data line and the second data line are used to transmit data and receive feedback information generated by the other end based on the received data; The second data line group includes a third data line and a fourth data line, wherein the third data line and the fourth data line are used to receive data and send feedback information generated based on the received data to the other end; Also includes: The fifth data line is used to enable data transmission; Specifically, the fifth data line is set to a high level to start data transmission; once data transmission is complete, the fifth data line is set to a low level. The sixth data line is used to enable data reception; The transmit data enable of the fifth data line and the receive data enable of the sixth data line are used for collision detection. State machine; The state machine is configured to switch to a data transmission state in response to detecting that the fifth data line is set to a high level. In response to the detection of the falling edge of the fifth data line, the state changes from the data transmission state to the waiting for feedback from the other end.

2. The MII interface as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The state machine is also configured as follows: In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating that the transmitted data is correct (a first preset value), the state returns to the initial state. In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating a second preset value representing a data transmission error, feedback is sent to the upper layer. In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end that represents a third preset value indicating other conditions, it is converted to the corresponding state.

3. The MII interface as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The seventh data line is used to send clock signals; The eighth data line is used to transmit carrier detection signals; The first management data line is used for data management. The second management data line is used to manage the data clock.

4. A server, characterized in that, Includes an MII interface, wherein the MII interface includes: The first data line group includes a first data line and a second data line, wherein the first data line and the second data line are used to transmit data and receive feedback information generated by the other end based on the received data; The second data line group includes a third data line and a fourth data line, wherein the third data line and the fourth data line are used to receive data and send feedback information generated based on the received data to the other end; Also includes: The fifth data line is used to enable data transmission; Specifically, the fifth data line is set to a high level to start data transmission; once data transmission is complete, the fifth data line is set to a low level. The sixth data line is used to enable data reception; The transmit data enable of the fifth data line and the receive data enable of the sixth data line are used for collision detection. State machine; The state machine is configured to switch to a data transmission state in response to detecting that the fifth data line is set to a high level. In response to the detection of the falling edge of the fifth data line, the state changes from the data transmission state to the waiting for feedback from the other end.

5. The server as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The state machine is also configured as follows: In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating that the transmitted data is correct (a first preset value), the state returns to the initial state. In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end indicating a second preset value representing a data transmission error, feedback is sent to the upper layer. In response to the first data line group receiving feedback information from the other end that represents a third preset value indicating other conditions, it is converted to the corresponding state.

6. The server as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The seventh data line is used to send clock signals; The eighth data line is used to transmit carrier detection signals; The first management data line is used for data management. The second management data line is used to manage the data clock.

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