Ethernet network link partners may be configured for operation in a low power mode. The link partners may generate new frames and/or signals and/or may modify characteristics of existing frames and/or signals to be communicated via one or more channels of an Ethernet link during the low power mode. The new and/or modified frames and/or signals may be utilized as refresh frames and/or signals to control communication during low power mode and/or to enable refresh and/or synchronization of the link partners. The new and/or modified frames and/or signals may be generated and/or modified based on a desired frequency distribution and/or spectral density. New and/or modified frames and/or signals may comprise jitter, random and/or pseudo random bit patterns and/or varied bit patterns and/or energy levels. Data packets and/or active idle symbols may be forced during low power mode to mitigate undesired periodic energy.