Authentication modes for an optical transceiver module
View Patent ↗Methods for authenticating an optical transceiver module to a host are disclosed. The transceiver comprises a receive signal line for transferring data from the transceiver to the host and a transmit signal line for transferring data from the host to the transceiver in preparation for transmission to a communications network. The transceiver includes a controller having a processor in communication with the host, and a first memory register assignable by the processor. A consolidated laser driver/post amplifier is also included and features a pattern generator and a data switch. The pattern generator produces a string of bit values that serve as an authenticating data portion. The data switch selectively inputs the authenticating data portion to the receive signal line of the transceiver according to the state of the first memory register, enabling the authenticating data portion to be received by the host, thereby authenticating the transceiver.
1. A method for authenticating an optical transceiver module, the optical transceiver module being operably received by a host device, the method comprising:
in response to a control signal, generating an authenticating data portion in the optical transceiver module; and
forwarding the authenticating data portion to the host device via a differential receive signal line for authentication by the host device, wherein authentication by the host device includes identification of the optical transceiver module as a validated optical transceiver module from an identified source.
2. The method for authenticating as defined in claim 1 , wherein generating the authenticating data portion further comprises:
assigning a bit value to a first register by a processor.
3. The method for authenticating as defined in claim 2 , wherein generating the authenticating data portion further comprises:
continuously generating the authenticating data portion while the assignable bit of the first register has a first value.
4. The method for authenticating as defined in claim 2 , wherein the processor and the first register are included in a controller of the optical transceiver module, and wherein the host device and the controller are in digital communication with one another.
5. The method for authenticating as defined in claim 4 , further comprising:
by the controller, communicating with the host device to determine content of the authenticating data portion.
6. The method for authenticating as defined in claim 1 , wherein the authenticating data portion is generated by a pattern generator included in the optical transceiver module, and wherein forwarding the authenticating data portion further comprises:
forwarding the authenticating data portion to the host device via a data switch that selectively connects the differential receive line with the pattern generator.
7. The method for authenticating as defined in claim 1 , wherein generating the authenticating portion comprises:
in response to a control signal originating with the host device, generating the authenticating data portion in the optical transceiver module.
8. The method for authenticating as defined in claim 1 , wherein generating the authenticating data portion comprises:
generating a differential authenticating data portion using a portion of differential transmit data carried by a transmit signal line in the optical transceiver module.
9. The method for authenticating as defined in claim 8 , further comprising:
inverting a polarity of the differential authenticating data portion before forwarding the differential authenticating data portion to the host device.
10. A method for authenticating an optical transceiver module, the optical transceiver module being operably received by a host device, the method comprising:
in response to a control signal, generating an authenticating data portion in the optical transceiver module, comprising:
generating a differential authenticating data portion using a portion of differential transmit data carried by a transmit signal line in the optical transceiver module; and
forwarding the authenticating data portion to the host device via a differential receive signal line for authentication by the host device, wherein authentication by the host device includes identification of the optical transceiver module as a validated optical transceiver module from an identified source; and
inverting a polarity of the differential authenticating data portion before forwarding the differential authenticating data portion to the host device.