System and method for backchannel closed loop feedback for channel equalization over Ethernet

1. A method, comprising:

configuring a network link for active data communication between a first network device and a second network device via a physical communication medium;

after the network link is configured for active data communication, communicating data between a first physical layer device in the first network device and a second physical layer device in the second network device;

analyzing, by the first network device during the active data communication, a frequency response of a communication channel that includes the physical communication medium, corresponding to a change in heat generation in the first network device over a time duration in the order of minutes during the active data communication;

determine, by the first network device during the active data communication responsive to the change in heat generation in the first network device over the time duration, an equalization adjustment based on the analyzed frequency response; and

transmitting, by the first network device, equalization information to the second network device in an amplitude, frequency or phase modulated signal using a packet that is interspersed with packets carrying live traffic of data communicated between the first and second physical layer devices, for adjustment of a transmit equalizer in the second physical layer device, the equalization information based on the determined equalization adjustment.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring, by the first network device, the frequency response of a data signal received from the second physical layer device.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a receive equalizer in the first physical layer device based on the analysis of the frequency response during the active data communication.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting during an inter-packet gap.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting using a part of an Ethernet frame.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting the second equalization information at a signal frequency lower than that of the live traffic and interspersed with packets carrying the live traffic.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting using an out-of-band channel.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting using a low frequency modulation signal applied to a transmitted optical signal.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical communication medium is an optical cable.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical communication medium is a copper cable.

11. A network device, comprising:

one or more processors of a first physical layer device, the one or more processors configured to:

measure a frequency response of a data signal received during an active data communication mode over a physical communication medium, that corresponds to a change in heat generation in the first physical layer device over a time duration in the order of minutes during the active data communication, the active data communication mode used for communicating live data over a network link; and

to determine, responsive to the change in heat generation in the first physical layer device over the time duration, an equalization adjustment based on the measured frequency response;

a transmitter configured to transmit first equalization information in a first amplitude, frequency or phase modulated signal using a first packet that is interspersed with packets carrying live traffic of data communicated over the network link, to a second physical layer device of a link partner during the active data communication mode, the transmitted first equalization information enabling the link partner to adjust a first transmit equalizer in the link partner used during transmission of data to the network device in accordance with the determined equalization adjustment; and

a receiver configured to receive second equalization information in a second amplitude, frequency or phase modulated signal using a second packet that is interspersed with other packets carrying live traffic of data communicated over the network link, from the link partner during the active data communication mode, the received second equalization information enabling the network device to adjust a second transmit equalizer in the network device used in transmission of data to the link partner.

12. The network device of claim 11 , wherein the first equalization information is transmitted during an inter-packet gap.

13. The network device of claim 11 , wherein the first equalization information is transmitted using a part of an Ethernet frame.

14. The network device of claim 11 , wherein the first equalization information is transmitted at a signal frequency lower than that of the live traffic and interspersed with packets carrying the live traffic.

15. The network device of claim 11 , wherein the first equalization information is transmitted using an out-of-band channel.

16. The network device of claim 15 , wherein the first equalization information is transmitted using a low frequency modulation signal applied to a transmitted optical signal.

17. The network device of claim 11 , wherein the physical communication medium comprises an optical cable or a copper cable.

18. The network device of claim 11 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to configure the network link for active data communication via the physical communication medium.

19. The network device of claim 11 , wherein the transmitter is configured to, after the network link is configured for active data communication, communicate data with a second physical layer device in a second network device.

20. The network device of claim 11 , wherein the measurement module is configured to analyze, during the active data communication mode, the frequency response of the data signal received over the physical communication medium.