Abstract:
An integrated multiport switch (IMS) having a receive FIFO structure with a single port RAM, for storing network communication data received from each port of the switch. The RAM is connected to a FIFO control unit, which is coupled to a MAC for each port by a MAC bus, by a FIFO memory input bus. Writing of data received from each port via the MAC bus to the RAM is controlled on a time shared basis. The FIFO control unit includes a receive RAM interface that is connected to the MAC bus for receiving communication data from the ports and to the FIFO memory input bus for transferring communication data to the RAM for temporary storage. As the FIFO memory input bus has a larger bit transfer capacity than the MAC bus, the receive RAM interface can accumulate incoming data during clock cycles in which data is being read from the single port RAM. When the accumulated data for a given port is to be written to the RAM in a subsequent write cycle, it is then combined with additional incoming data for the same port received at that time for transfer to the RAM.
Abstract:
A method and arrangement for maintaining a time order of entries in a memory determines a row in which the entry will be stored, the memory being logically divided into rows and columns. The columns are arranged sequentially in each row from the newest to the oldest. Once the row in which the entry will be stored is determined, the entry is stored in that row in the column (or entry location) that is the newest column. The entry that was previously in the newest column is shifted to the next older column, and the entry that was previously in the next older column is shifted to the next most older column, etc. If a row is completely filled prior to the writing of a new entry, then the entry in the oldest column is removed from the memory and the other entries shifted.
Abstract:
A current mirror circuit for mirroring current in CMOS integrated circuit technology includes a current mirror arrangement formed of first and second P-channel MOS transistors (MP32,MP33), a variable input current source (I.sub.CS), a first source follower transistor (MN34), a second source follower transistor (MP35), a current-sinking transistor (MN31), and a load circuit 212. The load circuit is formed of a load transistor (MN36) and a load resistor (R1). In an alternate embodiment, the load circuit is formed of a single load resistor. As a result, the amount of current injected into the first P-channel MOS transistor (MP32) is more precisely mirrored into the second P-channel MOS transistor (MP33).
Abstract:
A CMOS output buffer circuit employing an N-channel pull-up transistor with reduced body effect includes an N-channel pull-up transistor (N2), an N-channel coupling transistor (N1), and an N-channel discharging transistor (N3). The pull-up transistor has its drain connected to an upper power supply potential (VCC), its source connected to an output node (20), its gate connected to a first internal node (B), and its local substrate connected to a second internal node (A). The coupling transistor has its source connected to the second internal node (A), its drain connected to the source of the pull-up transistor, its gate connected to the first internal node (B), and its local substrate connected to the local substrate of the pull-up transitor (N2). The discharging transistor has its drain connected to the second internal node (A), its source connected to a lower power supply potential (VCC), its gate connected to a third internal node (C), and its local substrate connected to the lower power supply potential (VSS). The coupling transistor and the discharging transistor serve to reduce the body effect on the pull-up transistor (N2) and to provide higher immunity from noise on the upper power supply potential (VCC).
Abstract:
A CMOS clamp circuit includes a sense inverter (I5) having an input node for receiving a sense current signal and an output node for generating a voltage output, an N-channel MOS clamping transistor (N5), and a P-channel MOS clamping transistor (P5). The N-channel clamping transistor (N5) has its drain connected to an upper power supply potential (VCC) and its source connected to the input node of the inverter (I5). The P-channel clamping transistor (P5) has its drain connected to a lower power supply potential (VSS) and its source connected to the input node of the sense inverter (I5). The gates of the N-channel and P-channel transistors (N5, P5) are connected to the output node of the sense inverter (I5). An enabling transistor and a power-down transistor may also be provided so as to operate the clamp circuit in a power-down mode of operation.
Abstract:
A novel auto-negotiation system capable of performing auto-negotiation using negative link pulses. The auto-negotiation system operates in a network transceiver for interconnecting multiple hub communication devices having different operating speeds and link partners provided on a transmission medium. The network transceiver comprises physical layer devices for supporting data exchange between the hub devices and the link partners, and an auto-negotiation device that transmits and receives link pulses of a prescribed polarity carrying auto-negotiation information to and from the link partners to select a mode of communication between the hub devices and the link partners. A reverse polarity detection and correction circuit is provided for supporting auto-negotiation operations when link pulses received from a link partner have a reverse polarity. In a preferred embodiment, the reverse polarity detection and correction circuit comprises a polarity detector for detecting polarity of the link pulses received from the link partner, and a link pulse detector for distinguishing link pulses from data received from the link partner. A polarity reversing circuit responsive to the polarity detector and the link pulse detector reverses polarity of the received link pulses.
Abstract:
A data communication device having multiple ports is provided with an auto-negotiation system for performing auto-negotiation with multiple link partners connected to the ports. The auto-negotiation system has a memory and an auto-negotiation unit including transmit, receive and arbitration state machines for performing transmit, receive and arbitration state diagrams compliant with the IEEE 802.3 Standard. The auto-negotiation unit operates in a time-division multiplexing mode using successive time slots for supporting auto-negotiation operations for different ports. The memory is used for storing state diagram variables for a port in a time interval between the time slots assigned to that port.
Abstract:
An interface located on a network switch transmits header information to an external device that makes data forwarding decisions. The interface receives and transmits header information that includes the source and destination address of the data. The external device generates data forwarding information and transmits the information back to the switch via the interface device. The network switch uses the information obtained via the interface and forwards the data packets to the appropriate destination.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for remote wake-up of an intended node within a data exchange system having interlinked networks (e.g., router-interlinked LAN's) is disclosed. A wake-up commanding format is disclosed wherein a sequence corresponding to the address of the intended node is embedded N consecutive times (e.g., at least 16 consecutive times) extensively through the respective data fields of one or more packets sent from a remote source node to the intended node. When this particular sequence is received by the intended node while the intended node is in a sleep mode, a wake-up operation is responsively initiated so that the sleeping node will awaken, at least for a time, to respond to future received packets.
Abstract:
A method and arrangement for transmitting multiple copies of a frame from a network switch in a packet switched network stores a single copy of the frame received at the switch into external memory. The frame is stored at a location in memory pointed to by a frame pointer. In queuing multiple transmissions of the stored frame in the switch, the frame pointer, and not the frame itself, is replicated and queued for transmission in the network switch.