PHY Transceiver Protocol Header Processing for MACsec Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges exist in integrating data link layer protocol functions, such as MACsec, IEEE 802.1CB, and IEEE 1722 AVB, with physical layer modules due to communication limitations between PHY modules and other devices, leading to inefficiencies in processing and data integrity management.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus is provided that includes a transceiver and a protocol module to process data transmission units, removing protocol-specific fields and adding derived protocol information as a header, enabling seamless integration and real-time processing of data transmission units without disrupting medium access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data link layer protocol functions are integrated with physical layer modules, then processing efficiency and data integrity management are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates data link layer protocol functions (MACsec, IEEE 802.1CB, IEEE 1722 AVB) directly within the physical layer module by adding a protocol module to the existing transceiver. This merging allows the PHY module to perform both physical layer signaling and data link layer protocol processing, thereby improving processing efficiency and data integrity management while consolidating functionality into a single device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol-specific fields are removed and protocol information is added as headers, then compatibility with existing network devices is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol module processes data transmission units by segmenting them into distinct components: removing protocol-specific fields (SecTag, ICV, IEEE 802.1CB header, IEEE 1722 AVB frame) and adding a standardized header with protocol information. This segmentation approach maintains compatibility with existing network devices that expect standard Ethernet frames while enabling the system to track and manage protocol-processed data through the added header fields.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising: a receive-input for coupling to a transmission medium; a transceiver configured to receive signals representative of one or more data transmission units from the receive-input and output said data transmission units a protocol module configured to process at least a subset of the one or more data transmission units output from the transceiver according to a protocol, said processing including at least removing one or more fields of information from said subset of data transmission units associated with said protocol; and wherein the apparatus is configured to add at least one field to the subset of data transmission units processed by said protocol module, the at least one field comprising protocol information derived from said processing by the protocol module and provide said data transmission units with the at least one field added to a receive-output of the apparatus.