Improving interoperability of communication devices

Abstract

In a communication network operating according to a communication protocol defining a link setup procedure having i) a negotiation procedure and ii) a training procedure, a first communication device performs the link setup procedure with a second communication device. During the negotiation procedure, the first communication device negotiates one or more new parameter values for the link setup procedure that are different from the one or more mandatory parameter values specified by the communication protocol. During the link setup procedure, the first communication device uses one or more new parameter values, rather than one or more mandatory parameter values specified by the communication protocol.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 337,251, filed on May 2, 2022, entitled “Extended Auto Negotiation and Link Training,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to network communications, and more particularly to negotiation and training of communication links. Background Art

[0004] Typically, communication devices perform a link training procedure as part of establishing a communication link between communication devices. Link training includes exchanging training signals with another communication device (link partner) and using the training signals to adjust parameters of components of the communication device (such as pre-compensation filters, equalizers, echo cancellers, etc.) to optimize the components for communication via the link. After the training procedure is completed and the component parameters have been adjusted, data communication via the communication link can begin.

[0005] Additionally, some communication protocols define negotiation procedures that allow communication devices to exchange capability information and select communication parameters (such as transmission speed, modulation parameters, error correction coding parameters, etc.) to be used when communicating via a communication link.

[0006] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard defines the Ethernet auto-negotiation and link training (ANLT) procedure. IEEE 802.3 defines ANLT as comprising two consecutive phases: an auto-negotiation phase (AN) followed by a link training phase (LT).

[0007] AN allows Ethernet devices with different capabilities to communicate with each other to achieve interoperability. AN consists of two consecutive sub-phases: a base page exchange, followed by an optional next page exchange. During the base page exchange, the two link partners exchange information about the capabilities of each link partner to agree on the best signaling and data encoding mode (for example, 4×25G=100G Ethernet, compared to 4×50G=200G Ethernet). The next page exchange can be used to facilitate the exchange of additional information. The IEEE 802.3 standard does not explicitly define the content of the next page, leaving it to vendor proprietary.

[0008] As discussed above, the LT phase involves exchanging training signals and adjusting component parameters. Summary of the invention

[0009] In one embodiment, a first communication device is configured to operate in a communication network according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defining a link establishment procedure, the link establishment procedure including i) a negotiation procedure and ii) a training procedure, wherein the communication protocol specifies mandatory parameter values ​​to be used for the link establishment procedure. The first communication device includes: a physical layer (PHY) circuit device having a transceiver configured to transmit and receive via a communication link; a negotiation controller; and a training controller. The negotiation controller is configured to control the PHY circuit device to i) perform the negotiation procedure, and ii) during the negotiation procedure, control the PHY circuit device to communicate with a second communication device via the communication link to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​for the link establishment procedure, which are different from the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol. The training controller is configured to control the PHY circuit device to use the one or more new parameter values ​​during the link establishment procedure instead of using the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol. In some embodiments, the one or more new parameter values ​​are relaxed compared to the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol, and the use of the one or more new parameter values ​​improves interoperability with the second communication device.

[0010] In another embodiment, a link establishment method is used in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defining a link establishment procedure, the link establishment procedure including i) a negotiation procedure and ii) a training procedure, wherein the communication protocol specifies mandatory parameter values ​​to be used for the link establishment procedure. The method includes: performing a link establishment procedure by a first communication device, including: during the negotiation procedure, the first communication device communicating with a second communication device via a communication link to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​for the link establishment procedure, the new parameter values ​​being different from the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol; and during the link establishment procedure, the first communication device using the one or more new parameter values ​​instead of using the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol. In some embodiments, the one or more new parameter values ​​are relaxed compared to the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol, and using the one or more new parameter values ​​improves interoperability with the second communication device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a simplified diagram of an example communication system in which communication devices negotiate new parameters corresponding to a link establishment procedure defined by a communication protocol, the new parameters being different than parameters mandated by the communication protocol, according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 According to one embodiment, Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of a link establishment procedure used by communication devices of a communication network.

[0013] Figure 3 According to one embodiment, Figure 1 A flow chart of an example link establishment method for use by a communication device of a communication network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The automatic negotiation and link training (ANLT) procedure defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard is an automated process for optimizing the component settings of link partners. In conjunction with the ANLT procedure, the IEEE 802.3 standard specifies various timeout values ​​(e.g., forcing certain actions, events, etc. to be completed or occur within a certain time period). If certain actions, events, etc. are not completed / occurred within a specified time period, one or both of the link partners must reset and restart the ANLT procedure from the beginning.

[0015] Some currently commercially available communication devices do not comply with the required timeout values ​​defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard, at least in some cases, due to design limitations, challenging operating conditions, as a tradeoff to optimize other performance metrics such as power consumption, etc.

[0016] Additionally, some commercially available communications equipment imposes strict timeout requirements on procedures that occur after the ANLT process is completed that are not required by the IEEE 802.3 standard (such as the time it takes for the physical coding sublayer (PCS) to obtain lock, the time it takes for the media access control (MAC) layer to determine that the link is available, etc.).

[0017] Additionally, for given operating conditions (e.g., channel loss level, noise level, reflected signal level, etc.), the default transmit amplitude of one link partner may be too strong or too weak, making it difficult for the far-end link partner to optimally recover data. The affected link partner thus triggers the restart of ANLT.

[0018] Therefore, there are significant interoperability challenges between network devices manufactured by different manufacturers, which may cause the devices at both ends of the link to repeatedly reset / restart due to non-compliance with IEEE 802.3 mandatory parameters. Additionally, revising the IEEE 802.3 standard to modify the parameters itself will cause interoperability issues with legacy communication devices that are configured to follow the original parameters and / or unnecessarily extend LT in some cases.

[0019] In the following embodiments, the negotiation mechanism allows the communication device to negotiate new parameters (e.g., timeout values, etc.), which correspond to the link establishment procedure and are different from the communication protocol mandatory parameters. In at least some embodiments corresponding to the IEEE 802.3 standard communication protocol, the communication device negotiates new parameters during the automatic negotiation (AN) procedure of the automatic negotiation and link training (ANLT) procedure defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard. This allows the communication device to use new parameters (e.g., relaxed timeout values, different default transmission amplitudes, etc.) that are different from the parameters defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard during the ANLT procedure or during subsequent operations. According to some embodiments, as described above, using such a negotiation mechanism, network devices that do not meet the required parameter values ​​defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard can negotiate new parameters, and thus avoid repeated resets / restarts of devices because they do not meet the IEEE 802.3 mandatory parameters or are not suitable for operating conditions. In addition, according to some embodiments, using this negotiation mechanism, it is not required to change the IEEE 802.3 standard.

[0020] Figure 1 1 is a simplified diagram of an example communication system 100 according to one embodiment. The communication system 100 includes a communication device 104 communicatively coupled to a communication device 108 via a communication link 112. In an embodiment, the communication link 112 includes a suitable communication medium (such as one or more twisted copper wire pairs, one or more coaxial cables, optical cables, wireless communication links, etc.).

[0021] Communication device 104 includes physical layer (PHY) circuitry 120 configured to perform PHY actions corresponding to a PHY entity defined by a communication protocol, such as the IEEE 802.3 standard. PHY circuitry 120 includes a transceiver 124 configured to transmit and receive via communication link 112.

[0022] The communication device 104 also includes a medium access control (MAC) layer circuit device 132, which is configured to perform MAC layer actions corresponding to a MAC entity defined by a communication protocol (e.g., the IEEE 802.3 standard). The MAC layer circuit device 132 is coupled to the PHY circuit device 120 and is configured to transmit a data packet to the PHY circuit device 120 for transmission via the communication link 112. The PHY circuit device 120 then transmits the data packet via the communication link 112. Additionally, the PHY circuit device 120 is configured to receive a data packet via the communication link 116 and provide the data packet to the MAC layer circuit device 132. In an embodiment, the MAC layer circuit device 132 is coupled to the PHY circuit device 120 via a suitable medium independent interface. In other embodiments, the MAC layer circuit device 132 is coupled to the PHY circuit device 120 via another suitable interface.

[0023] In some embodiments, MAC layer circuitry 132 is coupled to a host processor (not shown) of communication device 104. In some such embodiments, MAC layer circuitry 132 receives data packets from the host processor and transmits the data packets to PHY circuitry 120 for transmission via communication link 112; and MAC layer circuitry 132 receives data packets from PHY circuitry 120 and provides the data packets to the host processor, the data packets having been received by PHY circuitry 120 via communication link 116.

[0024] In some embodiments, where the communication device 104 corresponds to a network switch coupled to a plurality of communication links (similar to the communication link 112) (not shown), the communication device 104 includes a packet processor (not shown) configured to process header information in a packet received via the communication link to determine a communication link via which to forward the packet. In some such embodiments, the packet processor includes a forwarding database (not shown) that stores forwarding information including associations between network addresses and ports of the communication device 104 (where the ports correspond to respective communication links). The packet processor uses i) network address information (e.g., destination address information, virtual local area network (VLAN) information, etc.) in a header of a received packet and ii) forwarding information in the forwarding database that corresponds to the network address information in the received packet to determine one or more ports via which to transmit the packet.

[0025] The communication device 104 and the communication device 108 are configured to establish a PHY link between the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 by executing a link establishment procedure defined by a communication protocol, such as the IEEE 802.3 standard. Figure 2 2 is a simplified timing diagram of a link establishment procedure 200 corresponding to the IEEE 802.3 standard according to an embodiment. The link establishment procedure 200 includes an auto-negotiation (AN) procedure 204, a link training (LT) procedure 208, and a physical coding sublayer (PCS) link cycle 212. The AN procedure 204 and the LT procedure 208 are sometimes collectively referred to as "ANLT" procedures.

[0026] During the AN procedure 204, the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 exchange information regarding the capabilities of each communication device with respect to communication parameters such as transmission speed, half-duplex versus full-duplex communication capabilities, flow control capabilities, etc. Additionally, during the AN procedure 204, the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 select the highest performance communication parameters that are supported by both communication devices.

[0027] The AN procedure 204 includes a first phase (sometimes referred to as a "base page exchange") 220 and a second phase (sometimes referred to as a "next page exchange") 224. During the base page exchange 220, the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 i) exchange information about the capabilities of each communication device relative to communication parameters (such as transmission speed, half-duplex versus full-duplex communication capabilities, flow control capabilities, etc.), and ii) select the highest performance communication parameters. For example, as part of the AN procedure 204, the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 i) exchange information about the capabilities of each communication device relative to transmission speed, and ii) select the highest performance transmission speed (sometimes referred to as the "highest common denominator" or "HCD"). As an illustrative example, if the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 are both capable of operating according to i) 4×25G=100G Ethernet and ii) 4×50G=200G Ethernet, then the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 will select 4×50G=200G Ethernet to communicate via the communication link.

[0028] During the next page exchange 224, the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 i) optionally exchange other information (e.g., other capabilities of each communication device), and ii) optionally select other communication parameters. The IEEE 803.3 standard does not specifically define the content of the next page exchange 224, and thus the next page exchange 224 can be used for vendor-specific information exchange.

[0029] The communication device 104 includes a negotiation controller 148 configured to control the PHY circuit device 120 to perform the AN procedure 204 specified by the communication protocol. For example, the negotiation controller 148 prompts the PHY circuit device 120 to transmit capability information via the communication link 112 as specified by the communication protocol. Additionally, the negotiation controller 148 analyzes the capability information received from the communication device 108 and selects communication parameters that are supported by both the communication device 104 and the communication device 108. Additionally, according to some embodiments, the negotiation controller 148 configures the PHY circuit device 120 to use the selected communication parameters.

[0030] In an embodiment, the communication protocol defines a maximum duration (sometimes referred to as a "timeout") between the time when the HCD is selected and the end of the AN procedure 204. If the AN procedure 204 does not complete within the timeout duration, the communication protocol specifies that the AN procedure 204 has failed.

[0031] In some embodiments, the negotiation controller 148 includes a first timer configured to measure the timeout duration, and the negotiation controller 148 uses the first timer to determine whether the AN procedure 204 is completed before the first timer expires. When the training controller 152 determines that the AN procedure 204 is not completed when the first timer expires, the negotiation controller 148 determines that the AN procedure 204 has failed.

[0032] Due to one or more factors, such as design limitations of the communication device, challenging operating conditions (e.g., noise, interference, etc.), some commercially available communication devices may not be able to complete the AN procedure 204 within the specified timeout duration as a tradeoff for optimizing other performance metrics (such as power consumption).

[0033] In an embodiment, the communication protocol defines the PHY state during the AN procedure 204, wherein the PHY circuit device 120 determines whether the PHY link is operational. In particular, after selecting HCD, the PHY circuit device 120 waits for a maximum duration (timeout) for the PHY link to become operational. If the PHY link does not become operational within the timeout duration, then the communication protocol specifies that the AN procedure 204 has failed.

[0034] In some embodiments, the negotiation controller 148 includes a second timer configured to measure the timeout duration, and the negotiation controller 148 uses the second timer to determine whether the PHY link becomes operational before the second timer expires. When the training controller 152 determines that the PHY link is not operational when the second timer expires, the negotiation controller 148 determines that the AN procedure 204 has failed.

[0035] Due to one or more factors (such as design limitations of the communication device, challenging operating conditions (e.g., noise, interference, etc.)), some commercially available communication devices may not be able to confirm that the PHY link is operational within a specified timeout duration as a tradeoff for optimizing other performance metrics (such as power consumption, etc.).

[0036] LT procedure 208 includes communication device 104 and communication device 108 exchanging training signals via communication link 112 and using the training signals to adjust signal processing parameters used by signal processing circuitry of communication device 104 and communication device 108. Examples of signal processing circuitry and signal processing parameters used by the signal processing circuitry are described below.

[0037] When LT procedure 208 completes successfully, the PCS function implemented by PHY circuitry 120 attempts to synchronize with the PCS function implemented by communication device 108. According to an embodiment, when the PCS function synchronizes, communication link 112 is in the PCS link state, and PCS circuitry 120 is ready for normal data exchange with communication device 108 via communication link 112.

[0038] The PHY circuitry 120 is configured to perform various signal processing actions with respect to signals transmitted and received via the communication link 112. Examples of signal processing actions performed by the PHY circuitry 120 include one or more of the following: adaptive equalization, echo cancellation, near-end crosstalk (NEXT) cancellation, far-end crosstalk (FEXT) cancellation, interference cancellation, beamforming, etc.

[0039] In some embodiments, various signal processing actions (such as various processing actions related to adaptation, cancellation, etc.) are performed by the communication device 104 (e.g., the PHY circuitry 120) based on the training signal received from the communication device 108 via the communication link 112. For example, as described in more detail below, in some embodiments, the PHY circuitry 120 is configured to process the training signal received from the communication device 108 to adjust or otherwise adjust various parameters of the transceiver 124 based on the received training signal. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication device 104 (e.g., the PHY circuitry 120) is configured to request the communication device 108 to adjust or otherwise adjust parameters of a component (such as a transmit equalizer (e.g., FFE)) and / or other parameters (e.g., digital signal processing (DSP) processing parameters) that are used at the communication device 108 for transmission to the communication device 104 to improve the quality of the signal received at the communication device 104. For example, the communication device 104 is configured to embed one or more messages in a training signal that the communication device 104 transmits to the training device 108 during link training, wherein the one or more messages include one or more requests to the communication device 104 to adjust parameters (such as transmit equalizer (e.g., FFE) switch values) at the communication device 104 to improve the reception quality of signals transmitted from the communication device 104 to the communication device 108. In an embodiment, the communication device 104 is configured to request adjustment of parameters at the communication device 108 according to a link training protocol (e.g., specified by the IEEE 803.2 standard).

[0040] According to an embodiment, in some embodiments, adaptive equalization performed at the communication device 104 involves processing a received signal received from the communication device 108 via the communication link 112 to offset frequency attenuation and / or phase delay caused by a communication channel between the communication device 104 and the communication device 108. In some embodiments, performing adaptive equalization includes using one or both of i) a feed-forward equalizer (FFE) and ii) a decision feedback equalizer (DFE). In other embodiments, performing adaptive equalization additionally or alternatively includes using one or more other suitable equalizers different from the FFE and the DFE. In some embodiments, where the adaptive equalization includes using an FFE, the FFE includes an analog equalizer circuit device that processes the received signal ("analog received signal") before digitizing the received signal by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which Figure 1 In other embodiments, where adaptive equalization includes use of an FFE, the FFE includes a digital equalizer circuit device that processes the received signal after digitization by the ADC ("digital received signal").

[0041] In some embodiments, echo cancellation performed at the communication device 104 includes processing a received signal to reduce a received echo of a transmit signal transmitted by the communication device 104 to the communication device 108 via the communication link 112. For example, when the communication device 104 transmits via the communication link, the communication device 104 may receive an echo because of an impedance discontinuity in a path from the communication device 104 to the communication device 108, such as because of a connection between an integrated circuit (IC) chip and a printed circuit board (PCB) corresponding to the communication device 104, a connection between the PCB and a cable, a cable connector of a cable coupled to the communication link 112, cable damage, a defect in the cable, etc. According to one embodiment, performing echo cancellation involves generating a reconstructed echo signal using the transmit signal, and subtracting the reconstructed echo signal from the received signal.

[0042] In some embodiments, the communication device 104 is additionally or alternatively configured to perform other processing operations (such as processing operations related to signal transmission over the twisted pair cable).

[0043] By way of example only, in an embodiment where the communication link 112 includes multiple twisted pairs, NEXT cancellation involves processing each signal received via a corresponding twisted pair to reduce NEXT caused by signals transmitted by the communication device 104 via other twisted pairs 116. The NEXT cancellation includes generating a reconstructed NEXT signal for each signal received via the corresponding twisted pair using the signals transmitted by the communication device 104 in the other twisted pairs, and subtracting the reconstructed NEXT signal from the received signal from the corresponding twisted pair.

[0044] As another example, in an embodiment where the communication link 112 includes multiple twisted pairs, FEXT cancellation involves processing each signal received via a corresponding twisted pair to reduce FEXT in other twisted pairs caused by signals transmitted by the communication device 108. The FEXT cancellation includes generating a reconstructed FEXT signal for each signal received via the corresponding twisted pair using the signals received in the other twisted pairs, and subtracting the reconstructed FEXT signal from the received signal in the corresponding twisted pair.

[0045] According to some embodiments, the FEXT canceller (not shown) of the PHY circuit device 120 includes a plurality of taps corresponding to different sets of two twisted pairs. In some embodiments, each tap includes a corresponding multiplier configured to multiply a corresponding received signal in a corresponding twisted pair by a corresponding FEXT cancellation coefficient to generate a corresponding weighted received signal. For each twisted pair, an adder adds the weighted received signals together to generate a reconstructed FEXT signal, and subtracts the reconstructed FEXT signal from the received signal in the twisted pair. As will be further described below, the FEXT cancellation coefficients are adjusted during the LT procedure 208.

[0046] In some embodiments, an echo canceller (not shown) and a NEXT canceller (not shown) are combined in a single echo / NEXT canceller that is configured to process the received signal to reduce both echo and NEXT as described above. In such embodiments, the parameters used by the single echo / NEXT canceller are adjusted during the LT procedure 208 in which the communication device 104 transmits a known training signal.

[0047] PHY circuitry 120 includes a digital signal processor (DSP) 136 that is configured to perform signal processing activities such as those described above (eg, one or more of adaptive equalization, echo cancellation, NEXT cancellation, FEXT cancellation, etc.).

[0048] In an embodiment, the communication device 108 has the same or similar structure as the communication device 104. For example, the communication device 108 performs signal processing actions such as those described above.

[0049] As discussed above, the signal processing components of PHY circuitry 120 use signal processing parameters (such as coefficients, programmable delays, etc.) to process signals received via communication link 112, and adjust such signal processing parameters during LT procedure 208. According to some embodiments, LT procedure 208 is specified by a communication protocol (such as the IEEE 802.3 standard).

[0050] The LT procedure 208 includes the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 exchanging training signals via the communication link 112 and using the training signals to adjust signal processing parameters (such as coefficients, programmable delays, etc.) used by the signal processing circuit devices of the communication device 104 and the communication device 108. For example, according to some embodiments, when the communication device 104 transmits the training signal to the communication device 108, the DSP 136 analyzes the signal received via the communication link 112 to adjust the NEXT cancellation parameters, the echo cancellation parameters, etc. In addition, according to some embodiments, when the communication device 104 transmits the training signal to the communication device 108, the DSP (not shown) of the communication device 108 analyzes the signal received via the communication link 112 to adjust the equalizer coefficients and / or the FEXT cancellation parameters. Similarly, according to some embodiments, when the communication device 108 transmits the training signal to the communication device 104, the DSP (not shown) of the communication device 108 analyzes the signal received via the communication link 112 to adjust the NEXT cancellation parameters, the echo cancellation parameters, etc. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, when the communication device 108 transmits a training signal to the communication device 104, the DSP 136 analyzes the signal received via the communication link 112 to adjust the equalizer coefficients and / or FEXT cancellation parameters.

[0051] The communication device 104 includes a training controller 152 configured to control the PHY circuit device 120 to perform the LT procedure 208 specified by the communication protocol. For example, the training controller 152 prompts the PHY circuit device 120 to transmit a training signal via the communication link 112 as specified by the communication protocol. Additionally, according to some embodiments, the training controller 152 prompts the DSP 136 to adjust the signal processing parameters based on the training signal transmitted by the PHY circuit device 120 via the communication link 112. Additionally, according to some embodiments, the training controller 152 prompts the DSP 136 to adjust the signal processing parameters based on the training signal transmitted by the communication device 108 via the communication link 112 and received by the PHY circuit device 120.

[0052] Additionally, the training controller 152 is configured to determine when the LT procedure 208 is completed. For example, the LT procedure 208 is determined to be completed when not only i) the signal processing components of the PHY circuit device 120 are fully trained and thus ready to begin normal data transmission (sometimes referred to herein as "local receiver ready"), but also ii) the signal processing components of the communication device 108 are fully trained and thus ready to begin normal data transmission (sometimes referred to herein as "remote receiver ready"). In response to the training controller 152 determining that the local receiver is ready, the training controller 152 prompts the PHY circuit device 120 to transmit an indication of the local receiver being ready to the communication device 108 via the communication link 112. Similarly, when the communication device 108 determines that the remote receiver is ready, the communication device 108 transmits an indication of the remote receiver being ready to the communication device 104 via the communication link 112.

[0053] In one embodiment, the training controller 152 determines that the local receiver is ready based on the adaptation status of the signal processing components. For example, the training controller 152 and / or the DSP 136 determines when the signal processing parameters have converged to stable values ​​during the LT procedure 208, and the training controller 152 determines when the local receiver is ready based on whether the signal processing parameters have converged to stable values.

[0054] Additionally or alternatively, DSP 136 (and / or other circuit devices of PHY circuit device 120, MAC layer circuit device 132, etc.) is configured to measure one or more signal quality indicators (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate, etc.) based on the training signal received from the communication device, and DSP 136 and / or training controller 152 are configured to use the one or more signal quality indicators to determine whether the local receiver is ready.

[0055] In some embodiments, the training signals are organized into training frames, and the DSP 136 (and / or other circuitry of the PHY circuitry 120, etc.) is configured to synchronize with the training frames received from the communication device 108 (referred to as "frame lock" in the IEEE 802.3 standard). In some such embodiments, the DSP 136 and / or the training controller 152 are configured to determine the completion time of the LT procedure 208 additionally based on whether the DSP 136 (and / or other circuitry of the PHY circuitry 120, etc.) is frame locked. For example, in some embodiments, the DSP 136 (and / or other circuitry of the PHY circuitry 120, etc.) being frame locked is a requirement for determining that the local receiver is ready. Similarly, in some embodiments, the DSP and / or other circuitry of the communication device 108 being frame locked is a requirement for the communication device 108 to determine that the remote receiver is ready.

[0056] In one embodiment, the communication protocol defines a maximum duration (timeout) between the start of the LT procedure 208 and the time when the communication link 112 is in the PCS link state. If the communication link 112 is not in the PCS link state within the timeout duration, the communication protocol specifies that the LT procedure 208 has failed.

[0057] In some embodiments, training controller 152 includes a first timer configured to measure a timeout duration, and training controller 152 uses the first timer to determine whether communication link 112 is in the PCS link state before the first timer expires. When training controller 152 determines that PCS circuitry 120 is not in the PCS link state when the first timer expires, training controller 152 determines that LT procedure 208 has failed.

[0058] In another embodiment, the communication protocol defines a timeout duration between the start of the LT procedure 208 and the end of the LT procedure 208. If the LT procedure 208 is not completed within the timeout duration, then the communication protocol specifies that the LT procedure 208 has failed. In some such embodiments, the training controller 152 determines whether the LT procedure 208 is completed before the expiration of the first timer. When the training controller 152 determines that the LT procedure 208 is not completed when the first timer expires, the training controller 152 determines that the LT procedure 208 has failed.

[0059] Due to one or more factors (such as design limitations of the communication device, challenging operating conditions (e.g., noise, interference, etc.)), some commercially available communication devices may not be able to complete the LT procedure 208 or reach the PCS link state within the specified timeout duration as a tradeoff for optimizing other performance indicators (such as power consumption, etc.).

[0060] In another embodiment, the communication device 104 and / or the communication device 104 measures the duration (timeout) between the time when the LT procedure 208 has completed and the time when the communication link 112 is in the PCS link state. If the communication link 112 is not in the PCS link state within the timeout duration, the communication device determines that the ANLT procedure should be restarted.

[0061] In such embodiments, the training controller 152 includes a second timer configured to measure a timeout duration between the time when the LT procedure 208 has completed and the time when the communication link 112 is in the PCS link state, and in some embodiments, the training controller 152 uses the second timer to determine whether the communication link 112 is in the PCS link state before the second timer expires. When the training controller 152 determines that the PCS circuit device 120 is not in the PCS link state when the second timer expires, the training controller 152 determines that the ANLT procedure should be restarted.

[0062] Due to one or more factors (such as design limitations of the communication device, challenging operating conditions (e.g., noise, interference, etc.)), some commercially available communication devices may not be able to achieve the PCS link state within a specified timeout duration as a tradeoff for optimizing other performance metrics (such as power consumption, etc.).

[0063] Once the PCS circuitry 120 is in the PCS Link state, the MAC layer circuitry 132 communicates with the MAC layer circuitry of the communication device 108 to initialize communication between the MAC layer circuitry and the MAC layer circuitry of the communication device 108. According to an embodiment, when the MAC layer circuitry 132 and the MAC layer circuitry of the communication device 108 are successfully initialized, the MAC layer circuitry 132 transitions to the MAC Link state, and the MAC layer circuitry 120 is ready for normal data exchange with the communication device 108 via the communication link 112.

[0064] In another embodiment, the communication device 104 and / or the communication device 104 measures the duration (timeout) between the time when the PCS circuit device 120 transitions to the PCS link state and the time when the communication link 112 is in the MAC link state. If the communication link 112 is not in the MAC link state within the timeout duration, the communication device determines that the ANLT procedure should be restarted.

[0065] In such an embodiment, the training controller 152 includes a third timer configured to measure a timeout duration between the time when the PHY circuit device 120 transitions to the PCS link state and the time when the MAC layer circuit device 132 transitions to the MAC link state, and in some embodiments, the training controller 152 uses the third timer to determine whether the MAC layer circuit device 132 is in the MAC link state before the third timer expires. When the training controller 152 determines that the MAC layer circuit device 132 is not in the MAC link state when the third timer expires, the training controller 152 determines that the ANLT procedure should be restarted.

[0066] Due to one or more factors (such as design limitations of the communication device, challenging operating conditions (e.g., noise, interference, etc.)), some commercially available communication devices may not be able to achieve a MAC link state within a specified timeout duration as a tradeoff for optimizing other performance metrics (such as power consumption, etc.).

[0067] As mentioned above Figure 2As discussed, the next page exchange 224 allows the communication devices to optionally exchange other information that is not specified by the communication protocol. In some embodiments, during the next page exchange 224 of the negotiation procedure 204, the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 negotiate one or more new timeout values ​​for the link establishment procedure that are different from the one or more mandatory timeout values ​​specified by the communication protocol. The communication devices then use the one or more new timeout values ​​for the link establishment procedure instead of using the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol.

[0068] The IEEE 802.3 standard defines two types of information elements exchanged during the next page exchange 224: a "message next page" and an "unformatted next page". The message next page includes a unique identifier (e.g., an organizational unique identifier (OUI) or another suitable identifier) ​​registered with and / or assigned by the IEEE, and which indicates the organization to which the message next page corresponds and / or the purpose of the message next page. The message next page also includes a data field having a length of 32 bits (or another suitable length). In an embodiment, the unique identifier in the message next page indicates the format of the data field.

[0069] The unformatted next page includes a data field that is 43 bits in length (or another suitable length). The unformatted next page is associated with the message next page and is transmitted after the message next page. The format of the unformatted next page associated with and following the message next page is indicated by a unique identifier in the message next page.

[0070] In some embodiments, the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 negotiate a new timeout value by exchanging timeout information using a next page information element such as described above. For example, the communication device 104 transmits a first message next page with a unique identifier indicating negotiation of parameters (e.g., timeout value, etc.) corresponding to the link establishment procedure; then, according to an embodiment, the communication device 104 transmits a corresponding first unformatted next page with timeout capability information. Similarly, the communication device 104 receives a second message next page with a unique identifier from the communication device 108; then, according to an embodiment, the communication device 104 receives a corresponding second unformatted next page with timeout capability information from the communication device 108. Then, according to an embodiment, both the communication devices 104 and 108 use a selection rule known to both the communication devices 104 and 108 to select a new timeout value that both the communication devices 104 and 108 support. As an illustrative example, the communication devices 104 and 108 select the highest timeout value that both the communication devices 104 and 108 support.

[0071] In an embodiment, each of the communication devices 104, 108 transmits i) the maximum timeout value that the communication device can support and ii) the proposed timeout value to the other communication devices 104, 108; and the communication devices 104, 108 select the highest proposed timeout value supported by both the communication devices 104, 108. In another embodiment, each of the communication devices 104, 108 transmits the maximum timeout value that the communication device can support to the other communication device 104, 108; and the communication devices 104, 108 select the highest timeout value supported by both the communication devices 104, 108.

[0072] In an embodiment, each of the communication devices 104, 108 transmits i) the lowest timeout value that the communication device can support, and ii) the proposed timeout value to the other communication devices 104, 108; and the communication devices 104, 108 select the lowest proposed timeout value supported by both the communication devices 104, 108. In another embodiment, each of the communication devices 104, 108 transmits the lowest timeout value that the communication device can support to the other communication devices 104, 108; and the communication devices 104, 108 select the lowest timeout value supported by both the communication devices 104, 108.

[0073] Table 1 is an example format of an unformatted next page according to an embodiment, which includes timeout capability information for the multiple timeout values ​​discussed above.

[0074] Table 1

[0075]

[0076] In the example format of Table 1, each timeout corresponds to a respective set of eight consecutive bits of the data field of the unformatted next page. Table 2 is an example encoding of the eight bits corresponding to each timeout, according to an embodiment.

[0077] Table 2

[0078]

[0079] According to an embodiment, with respect to the eight consecutive bit sets corresponding to each timeout, the upper four bits indicate the upper limit (maximum value) of the timeout duration, and the lower four bits indicate a recommended value for the timeout duration. The symbol "1x" indicates a predetermined value multiplied by one; the symbol "2x" indicates a predetermined value multiplied by two; "4x" indicates a predetermined value multiplied by four, and so on. The communication device 104, the communication device 108 knows the predetermined value in advance. In some embodiments, the predetermined value is a corresponding timeout value defined by the communication protocol.

[0080] The example formats / encodings of Tables 1 and 2 are merely illustrative, and other suitable formats / encodings are used in other embodiments.

[0081] The IEEE 802.3 standard defines some initial PHY conditions for a transmitter that initiates the LT procedure 208. However, in some cases (e.g., some operating conditions), it may be advantageous for the transmitter to use different initial conditions when initiating the LT procedure 208. As an illustrative example, for given operating conditions (e.g., channel loss, reflections, etc.), the default transmit amplitude of one of the communication devices 104, 108 may be too strong or too weak, making it difficult for the other communication devices 104, 108 to optimally recover the transmitted data. This may cause the affected communication devices 104, 108 to restart the ANLT procedure.

[0082] As another example, the default settings of a finite impulse response (FIR) filter of one of the communication devices 104, 108 may not be appropriate for the operating conditions, making it difficult for the other communication device 104, 108 to optimally recover the transmitted data. This may cause the affected communication device 104, 108 to restart the ANLT procedure.

[0083] In some embodiments, the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 communicate information to negotiate one or more PHY parameter values ​​(e.g., default transmit amplitude, default transmit FIR coefficients, etc.) by using a next page information element such as described above. For example, according to an embodiment, the communication device 104 transmits a message next page having i) a unique identifier indicating the negotiation of PHY parameters (e.g., PHY parameters, etc.), and ii) the PHY parameter information in a data field of the message next page. Then, according to an embodiment, the communication device 108 uses the PHY parameter information to select one or more initial PHY parameter values ​​for communicating with the communication device 104. As an illustrative example, the communication device 108 applies the one or more PHY parameter values ​​indicated by the message next page as much as possible. For example, according to one embodiment, if the communication device 108 cannot set the PHY parameters exactly as specified in the message next page, then the communication device 108 approximates the specified PHY parameters as much as possible.

[0084] Table 3 is an example format of the data field of the next page of the message including PHY parameter information according to an embodiment.

[0085] Table 3

[0086]

[0087]

[0088] Regarding the transmit amplitude, the symbol "1x" indicates a predetermined (default) value multiplied by one; the symbol "2x" indicates a default value multiplied by two; "4x" indicates a default value multiplied by four, and so on. The default value is known in advance by the communication device 104, the communication device 108. In some embodiments, the default value is defined by the communication protocol.

[0089] With respect to the transmit FIR filter, the symbols p, q, and r indicate three taps of the transmit FIR filter, and the encoding specifies one of the following for each tap: i) a default value, ii) 25% of the maximum value, iii) 50% of the maximum value, and iv) 100% of the maximum value. In an embodiment, the setting sum of all three taps in the data field of the next page of the message must be 100%.

[0090] The example formats / encodings of Table 3 are merely illustrative, and other suitable formats / encodings are used in other embodiments.

[0091] In other embodiments, the communication device 104 and the communication device 108 additionally or alternatively negotiate one or more other suitable PHY parameter values ​​(eg, different from the default transmit amplitude and default transmit FIR coefficients discussed above) by communicating information in a similar manner using the Next Page Information Element.

[0092] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary link establishment method 300 according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the method 300 is composed of Figure 1 The communication device 104 is implemented and for the purpose of explanation, reference is made to Figure 1 To describe Figure 3 In other embodiments, the use of Figure 1 Another suitable communication device different from the communication device 104 implements the method 300. In addition, the communication device 104 implements another suitable method different from the method 300 for establishing a communication link.

[0093] In the method 300, a first communication device and a second communication device operate according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defines a link establishment procedure, the link establishment procedure includes i) a negotiation procedure and ii) a training procedure, and the communication protocol specifies mandatory parameter values ​​to be used for the link establishment procedure. In an embodiment, the communication protocol corresponds to the IEEE 802.3 standard, the negotiation procedure is the AN procedure 204 discussed above, and the training procedure is the LT procedure 208 discussed above. In other embodiments, the method 300 is implemented in the context of another communication protocol and / or using other suitable negotiation and / or training procedures different from the procedure 204 discussed above, and the training procedure is the LT procedure 208. Reference Figure 2 The description of method 300 is for illustrative purposes only.

[0094] The method 300 includes a first communication device performing a link establishment procedure with a second communication device. For example, the communication device 104 performs a link establishment procedure with the communication device 108.

[0095] Performing the link establishment procedure includes the first communication device communicating with the second communication device via the communication link during a negotiation procedure (block 304) to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​for the link establishment procedure, the one or more new parameter values ​​being different from one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol. For example, the communication device 104 communicates with the communication device 108 during the AN procedure 204 to communicate with the second communication device via the communication link to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​for the link establishment procedure, the one or more new parameter values ​​being different from one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol.

[0096] At block 308, during a link establishment procedure, the first communications device uses one or more new parameter values ​​instead of one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communications protocol.

[0097] In an embodiment, communicating with the second communication device at block 304 to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​includes communicating with the second communication device to negotiate a new timeout value that is longer than a mandatory timeout value specified by the communication protocol, the mandatory timeout value corresponding to a duration during which events of the link establishment procedure must occur; and using the one or more new parameter values ​​at block 308 includes using the new timeout value so that more time is allowed for events of the link establishment procedure to occur compared to the mandatory timeout value specified by the communication protocol.

[0098] In an embodiment, communicating with the second communication device to negotiate a new timeout value at block 304 includes: transmitting, by the first communication device, first timeout capability information to the second communication device; receiving, at the first communication device, second timeout capability information from the second communication device; and selecting, at the first communication device, a new timeout value using the second timeout capability information.

[0099] In an embodiment, transmitting first timeout capability information to a second communication device includes transmitting a first maximum timeout value to the second communication device; receiving second timeout capability information from the second communication device includes receiving a second maximum timeout value from the second communication device; and selecting a new timeout value includes using the second maximum timeout value to select the timeout value as one of i) the first maximum timeout value and ii) the second maximum timeout value, the one of i) being less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value and ii) being less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

[0100] In an embodiment, transmitting first timeout capability information to a second communication device includes transmitting i) a first maximum timeout value and ii) a first recommended timeout value to the second communication device; receiving second timeout capability information from the second communication device includes receiving i) a second maximum timeout value and ii) a second recommended timeout value from the second communication device; and selecting a new timeout value includes selecting the new timeout value as one of i) the first recommended timeout value and ii) the second recommended timeout value, the one of i) being less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value and ii) being less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

[0101] Embodiment 1: A first communication device for use in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defining a link establishment procedure, which includes i) a negotiation procedure and ii) a training procedure, wherein the communication protocol specifies mandatory parameter values ​​to be used for the link establishment procedure, the first communication device including: a physical layer (PHY) circuit device having a transceiver configured to transmit and receive via a communication link; a negotiation controller configured to control the PHY circuit device to i) execute the negotiation procedure, and ii) during the negotiation procedure, control the PHY circuit device to communicate with a second communication device via the communication link to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​for the link establishment procedure, the new parameter values ​​being different from the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol; and a training controller configured to control the PHY circuit device to use the one or more new parameter values ​​instead of the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol during the link establishment procedure.

[0102] Embodiment 2: A first communication device according to embodiment 1, wherein: a negotiation controller is configured to control a PHY circuit device to communicate with a second communication device to negotiate a new timeout value that is longer than a mandatory timeout value specified by a communication protocol, the mandatory timeout value corresponding to a duration during which an event of a link establishment procedure must occur; and a training controller is configured to control the PHY circuit device to use the new timeout value, thereby providing more time for the event to occur than the mandatory timeout value specified by the communication protocol.

[0103] Embodiment 3: According to the first communication device of embodiment 2, the negotiation controller is configured to: control the PHY circuit device to transmit the first timeout capability information to the second communication device; receive the second timeout capability information from the second communication device; and select the new timeout value using the second timeout capability information.

[0104] Embodiment 4: A first communication device according to embodiment 3, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: control the PHY circuit device to transmit a first maximum timeout value as an element of first timeout capability information to a second communication device; receive a second maximum timeout value as an element of second timeout capability information from the second communication device; and use the second maximum timeout value to select a new timeout value as i) less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value and ii) less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

[0105] Embodiment 5: A first communication device according to embodiment 3, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: control the PHY circuit device to transmit i) a first maximum timeout value and ii) a first recommended timeout value as elements of first timeout capability information; receive i) a second maximum timeout value and ii) a second recommended timeout value as elements of second timeout capability information; and select a new timeout value as one of i) the first recommended timeout value and ii) the second recommended timeout value, the one of which i) is less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value and ii) is less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

[0106] Embodiment 6: A first communication device according to any one of embodiments 2 to 5, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: control the PHY circuit device to transmit first timeout capability information within a next page exchange defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard; and receive second timeout capability information during the next page exchange.

[0107] Embodiment 7: A first communication device according to embodiment 6, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: control the PHY circuit device to transmit a first timeout capability information in a first unformatted next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard; and receive a second timeout capability information in a second unformatted next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard.

[0108] Embodiment 8: A first communication device according to embodiment 6, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: control the PHY circuit device to transmit a first timeout capability information in a first message next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard; and receive a second timeout capability information in a second message next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard.

[0109] Embodiment 9: A first communication device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein: a negotiation controller is configured to receive an indication of a new initial transmitter amplitude, an initial transmitter amplitude, from a second communication device, the new initial transmitter amplitude being different from a mandatory initial transmitter amplitude specified by a communication protocol; and a training controller is configured to use the indication of the new initial transmitter amplitude to set the transmit amplitude of the transceiver to transmit a training signal during a training procedure.

[0110] Embodiment 10: A first communication device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein: a negotiation controller is configured to receive an indication of new initial transmitter finite impulse response (FIR) filter coefficients, an initial transmitter amplitude, from a second communication device, the new initial transmitter finite impulse response (FIR) filter coefficients being different from the mandatory initial transmitter FIR filter coefficients specified by the communication protocol; and a training controller is configured to use the indication of the new initial transmitter FIR filter coefficients to set the coefficients of the transmitter FIR filter of the transceiver to transmit a training signal during a training procedure.

[0111] Embodiment 11: A link establishment method in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defining a link establishment procedure, the link establishment procedure including i) a negotiation procedure and ii) a training procedure, wherein the communication protocol specifies mandatory parameter values ​​to be used for the link establishment procedure, the method comprising: performing the link establishment procedure by a first communication device, comprising: during the negotiation procedure, the first communication device communicating with a second communication device via a communication link to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​for the link establishment procedure, the one or more new parameter values ​​being different from the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol; and during the link establishment procedure, the first communication device using the one or more new parameter values ​​instead of using the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol.

[0112] Embodiment 12: A link establishment method according to embodiment 11, wherein: communicating with a second communication device to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​includes communicating with the second communication device to negotiate a new timeout value that is longer than a mandatory timeout value specified by a communication protocol, the mandatory timeout value corresponding to a duration in which events of a link establishment procedure must occur; and using one or more new parameter values ​​includes using a new timeout value so that more time is allowed for events of a link establishment procedure to occur compared to the mandatory timeout value specified by the communication protocol.

[0113] Embodiment 13: A link establishment method according to Embodiment 12, wherein communicating with a second communication device to negotiate a new timeout value comprises: transmitting first timeout capability information by the first communication device to the second communication device; receiving second timeout capability information from the second communication device at the first communication device; and using the second timeout capability information to select a new timeout value at the first communication device.

[0114] Embodiment 14: A link establishment method according to Embodiment 13, wherein: transmitting first timeout capability information to a second communication device includes transmitting a first maximum timeout value to the second communication device; receiving second timeout capability information from the second communication device includes receiving a second maximum timeout value from the second communication device; and selecting a new timeout value includes using the second maximum timeout value to select a new timeout value as i) less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value, and ii) less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

[0115] Embodiment 15: A link establishment method according to Embodiment 13, wherein: transmitting first timeout capability information to a second communication device comprises transmitting i) a first maximum timeout value and ii) a first recommended timeout value to the second communication device; receiving second timeout capability information from the second communication device comprises receiving i) a second maximum timeout value and ii) a second recommended timeout value; and selecting a new timeout value comprises selecting the new timeout value as one of i) the first recommended timeout value and ii) the second recommended timeout value, the one of which i) is less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value and ii) is less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

[0116] Embodiment 16: A link establishment method according to any one of Embodiments 12 to 15, wherein: transmitting first timeout capability information to a second communication device includes transmitting the first timeout capability information within a next page exchange defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard; and receiving second timeout capability information from the second communication device includes receiving the second timeout capability information during the next page exchange.

[0117] Embodiment 17: A link establishment method according to Embodiment 16, wherein: transmitting first timeout capability information within a next page exchange includes transmitting first timeout capability information in a first unformatted next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard; and receiving second timeout capability information during the next page exchange includes receiving second timeout capability information in a second unformatted next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard.

[0118] Embodiment 18: A link establishment method according to Embodiment 16, wherein: transmitting first timeout capability information within a next page exchange includes transmitting first timeout capability information in a first message next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard; and receiving second timeout capability information during the next page exchange includes receiving second timeout capability information in a second message next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard.

[0119] Embodiment 19: A link establishment method according to any one of embodiments 11 to 18, wherein: communicating with a second communication device to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​includes receiving an indication of a new initial transmitter amplitude, an initial transmitter amplitude from the second communication device, the new initial transmitter amplitude being different from a mandatory initial transmitter amplitude specified by a communication protocol; and using the one or more new parameter values ​​includes setting the transmit amplitude of the first communication device using the indication of the new initial transmitter amplitude to transmit a training signal during a training procedure.

[0120] Embodiment 20: A link establishment method according to any one of embodiments 11 to 19, wherein: communicating with a second communication device to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​includes receiving an indication of new initial transmitter finite impulse response (FIR) filter coefficients, an initial transmitter amplitude from the second communication device, the new initial transmitter finite impulse response (FIR) filter coefficients being different from the mandatory initial transmitter FIR filter coefficients specified by the communication protocol; and using the one or more new parameter values ​​including setting the coefficients of the transmitter FIR filter of the first communication device using the indication of the new initial transmitter FIR filter coefficients to transmit a training signal during a training procedure.

[0121] Some of the various blocks, operations, and techniques described above may be implemented using hardware, a processor executing firmware instructions, a processor executing software instructions, or any suitable combination thereof. When implemented using a processor executing software or firmware instructions, the software or firmware instructions may be stored in any suitable computer-readable memory. The software or firmware instructions may include machine-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform various actions.

[0122] When implemented in hardware, the hardware may include one or more discrete components, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), and the like.

[0123] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, these examples are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting, and changes, additions and / or deletions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A first communication device for use in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defining a link establishment procedure, the link establishment procedure comprising i) a negotiation procedure and ii) a training procedure, wherein the communication protocol specifies mandatory parameter values ​​to be used for the link establishment procedure, the first communication device comprising: a physical layer (PHY) circuit arrangement having a transceiver configured to transmit and receive via a communication link; a negotiation controller configured to control the PHY circuit device to i) perform the negotiation procedure, and ii) during the negotiation procedure, control the PHY circuit device to communicate with a second communication device via the communication link to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​for the link establishment procedure, the one or more new parameter values ​​being different from one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol, the one or more new parameter values ​​being relaxed compared to the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol; as well as A training controller is configured to control the PHY circuit device to use the one or more new parameter values ​​instead of the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol during the link establishment procedure, thereby relaxing one or more constraints on the link establishment procedure imposed by the communication protocol.

2. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein: the negotiation controller being configured to control the PHY circuit means to communicate with the second communication device to negotiate a new timeout value longer than a mandatory timeout value specified by the communication protocol, the mandatory timeout value corresponding to a duration for which an event of the link establishment procedure must occur; as well as The training controller is configured to control the PHY circuitry to use the new timeout value to provide more time for the event to occur than the mandatory timeout value specified by the communication protocol.

3. The first communication device according to claim 2, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: controlling the PHY circuit device to transmit first timeout capability information to the second communication device; receiving second timeout capability information from the second communications device; and The new timeout value is selected using the second timeout capability information.

4. The first communication device according to claim 3, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: controlling the PHY circuit means to transmit a first maximum timeout value as an element of the first timeout capability information to the second communication device; receiving a second maximum timeout value from the second communications device as an element of the second timeout capability information; and The new timeout value is selected using the second maximum timeout value to be i) less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value, and ii) less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

5. The first communication device according to claim 3, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: controlling the PHY circuit device to transmit i) a first maximum timeout value and ii) a first recommended timeout value as elements of the first timeout capability information; receiving i) a second maximum timeout value and ii) a second recommended timeout value as elements of the second timeout capability information; as well as The new timeout value is selected to be one of i) the first recommended timeout value and ii) the second recommended timeout value, the one of i) less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value and ii) less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

6. The first communication device according to claim 2, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: controlling the PHY circuit means to transmit the first timeout capability information within a next page exchange defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard; and The second timeout capability information is received during the next page exchange.

7. The first communication device according to claim 6, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: controlling the PHY circuit means to transmit the first timeout capability information in a first unformatted next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard; and The second timeout capability information is received in a second unformatted next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard.

8. The first communication device according to claim 6, wherein the negotiation controller is configured to: controlling the PHY circuit device to transmit the first timeout capability information in a first message next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard; and The second timeout capability information is received in a second message next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard.

9. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The negotiation controller is configured to receive, from the second communications device, an indication of a new initial transmitter amplitude, the initial transmitter amplitude, the new initial transmitter amplitude being different from a mandatory initial transmitter amplitude specified by the communications protocol; and The training controller is configured to use the indication of the new initial transmitter amplitude to set a transmit amplitude of a transceiver for transmitting training signals during the training procedure.

10. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The negotiation controller is configured to receive from the second communications device an indication of new initial transmitter finite impulse response (FIR) filter coefficients that are different than mandatory initial transmitter FIR filter coefficients specified by the communications protocol, the initial transmitter amplitude; and The training controller is configured to use the indication of the new initial transmitter FIR filter coefficients to set coefficients of a transmitter FIR filter of the transceiver to transmit training signals during the training procedure.

11. A link establishment method in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defining a link establishment procedure, the link establishment procedure comprising i) a negotiation procedure and ii) a training procedure, wherein the communication protocol specifies mandatory parameter values ​​to be used for the link establishment procedure, the method comprising: Executing the link establishment procedure by the first communication device comprises: during the negotiation procedure, communicating, by the first communication device, with a second communication device via the communication link to negotiate one or more new parameter values ​​for the link establishment procedure, the one or more new parameter values ​​being different from one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol, the one or more new parameter values ​​being relaxed compared to the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communication protocol; and During the link establishment procedure, the one or more new parameter values ​​are used by the first communications device instead of the one or more mandatory parameter values ​​specified by the communications protocol, such that one or more constraints on the link establishment procedure enforced by the communications protocol are relaxed.

12. The link establishment method according to claim 11, wherein: communicating with the second communications device to negotiate the one or more new parameter values ​​comprises communicating with the second communications device to negotiate a new timeout value, the new timeout value being longer than a mandatory timeout value specified by the communications protocol, the mandatory timeout value corresponding to a duration for which events of the link establishment procedure must occur; as well as Using the one or more new parameter values ​​includes using the new timeout value such that more time is allowed for the events of the link establishment procedure to occur compared to the mandatory timeout value specified by the communication protocol.

13. The link establishment method according to claim 12, wherein communicating with the second communication device to negotiate the new timeout value comprises: The first communication device transmits first timeout capability information to the second communication device; receiving, at the first communication device, second timeout capability information from the second communication device; as well as The new timeout value is selected at the first communications device using the second timeout capability information.

14. The link establishment method according to claim 13, wherein: Transmitting the first timeout capability information to the second communications device includes transmitting a first maximum timeout value to the second communications device; Receiving second timeout capability information from the second communications device includes receiving a second maximum timeout value from the second communications device; as well as Selecting the new timeout value includes using the second maximum timeout value to select the new timeout value to be i) less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value and ii) less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

15. The link establishment method according to claim 13, wherein: Transmitting the first timeout capability information to the second communications device includes transmitting i) a first maximum timeout value and ii) a first recommended timeout value to the second communications device; Receiving second timeout capability information from the second communications device includes receiving i) a second maximum timeout value and ii) a second recommended timeout value; and The new timeout value is selected to be one of i) the first recommended timeout value and ii) the second recommended timeout value, the one of i) less than or equal to the first maximum timeout value and ii) less than or equal to the second maximum timeout value.

16. The link establishment method according to claim 12, wherein: transmitting the first timeout capability information to the second communication device comprises transmitting the first timeout capability information within a next page exchange defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard; as well as Receiving the second timeout capability information from the second communications device includes receiving the second timeout capability information during the next page exchange.

17. The link establishment method according to claim 16, wherein: transmitting the first timeout capability information within the next page exchange comprises transmitting the first timeout capability information in a first unformatted next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard; as well as Receiving the second timeout capability information during the next page exchange includes receiving the second timeout capability information in a second unformatted next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard.

18. The link establishment method according to claim 16, wherein: transmitting the first timeout capability information within the next page exchange comprises transmitting the first timeout capability information in a first message next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard; as well as Receiving the second timeout capability information during the next page exchange includes receiving the second timeout capability information in a second message next page information element defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard.

19. The link establishment method according to claim 11, wherein: communicating with the second communications device to negotiate the one or more new parameter values ​​comprises receiving from the second communications device an indication of a new initial transmitter amplitude, the initial transmitter amplitude, the new initial transmitter amplitude being different than a mandatory initial transmitter amplitude specified by the communications protocol; as well as Using the one or more new parameter values ​​includes setting a transmit amplitude of the first communications device using the indication of the new initial transmitter amplitude to transmit training signals during the training procedure.

20. The link establishment method according to claim 11, wherein: communicating with the second communications device to negotiate the one or more new parameter values ​​includes receiving an indication of new initial transmitter finite impulse response (FIR) filter coefficients from the second communications device, the initial transmitter amplitude, the new initial transmitter finite impulse response (FIR) filter coefficients being different from mandatory initial transmitter FIR filter coefficients specified by the communications protocol; as well as Using the one or more new parameter values ​​includes setting coefficients of a transmitter FIR filter of the first communications device using the indication of the new initial transmitter FIR filter coefficients to transmit training signals during the training procedure.

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