Ethernet link transmit power method based on on-chip detected alien crosstalk feedback
A method of operating an Ethernet transceiver includes initializing the Ethernet transceiver during a training mode of operation by monitoring background link operating characteristics with on-chip circuitry during a non-data-transfer interval to establish a baseline alien crosstalk value. Training data is then transmitted at a first transmit power level and first data rate to a link partner during a data transfer interval. The link is monitored with the on-chip circuitry during the data transfer interval to detect feedback indicating alien crosstalk effects to neighboring Ethernet links due to the transmitting. The first data rate and/or first transmit power level is then adjusted to an adjusted second data rate and/or second transmit power level based on the feedback. The Ethernet transceiver is then operated in a normal data transfer mode utilizing the adjusted second data rate and/or transmit power level.
1. A method of operating an Ethernet transceiver comprising:
initializing the Ethernet transceiver during a training mode of operation by
monitoring background link operating characteristics with on-chip circuitry during a non-data-transfer interval to establish a baseline alien crosstalk value;
transmitting training data at a first transmit power level and first data rate to a link partner during a data transfer interval;
monitoring the link with the on-chip circuitry during the data transfer interval to detect feedback indicating alien crosstalk effects to neighboring Ethernet links due to the transmitting;
adjusting the first data rate and/or first transmit power level to an adjusted second data rate and/or second transmit power level based on the feedback; and
initiating operation of the Ethernet transceiver in a normal data transfer mode of operation utilizing the adjusted second data rate and/or transmit power level.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first power level and first data rate are initially set to respective maximum power and data rate values.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the adjusting comprises:
comparing the feedback to the baseline alien crosstalk value level; and
reducing the first data rate and/or first transmit power level based on the comparing.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the comparing and reducing further comprises:
iteratively adjusting the data rate and/or transmit power level based on iterative comparisons of iteratively obtained feedback to the baseline alien crosstalk value level.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first power level and first data rate are initially set to respective minimum power and data rate values.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the adjusting comprises:
comparing the feedback to the baseline alien crosstalk value level; and
increasing the first data rate and/or first transmit power level based on the comparing.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the comparing and reducing further comprises:
iteratively adjusting the data rate and/or transmit power level based on iterative comparisons of iteratively obtained feedback to the baseline alien crosstalk value level.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the feedback comprises at least one from the group comprising an indicator of a neighboring link fail and an indicator of a retraining sequence for a neighboring link.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the feedback represents detection of an event occurring as a result of alien crosstalk.
10. An Ethernet transceiver, comprising:
training logic operative during a training mode of operation to
monitor background link operating characteristics with on-chip circuitry during a non-data-transfer interval to establish a baseline alien crosstalk value;
transmit training data at a first transmit power level and first data rate to a link partner during a data transfer interval;
monitor the link with the on-chip circuitry during the data transfer interval to detect feedback indicating alien crosstalk effects to neighboring Ethernet links due to the transmitting; and
adjust the first data rate and/or first transmit power level to an adjusted second data rate and/or second transmit power level based on the feedback.
11. The Ethernet transceiver according to claim 10 , wherein:
the training logic initially sets the first power level and first data rate to respective maximum power and data rate values.
12. The Ethernet transceiver according to claim 11 , wherein:
the training logic adjusts the first data rate and/or first transmit power level by
comparing the feedback to the baseline alien crosstalk value level; and
reducing the first data rate and/or first transmit power level based on the comparing.
13. The Ethernet transceiver according to claim 12 , wherein the training logic carries out the comparing and reducing by:
iteratively adjusting the data rate and/or transmit power level based on iterative comparisons of iteratively obtained feedback to the baseline alien crosstalk value level.
14. The Ethernet transceiver according to claim 10 , wherein:
the training logic initially sets the first power level and first data rate to respective minimum power and data rate values.
15. The Ethernet transceiver according to claim 14 , wherein:
the training logic adjusts the first data rate and/or first transmit power level by
comparing the feedback to the baseline alien crosstalk value level; and
increasing the first data rate and/or first transmit power level based on the comparing.
16. The Ethernet transceiver according to claim 15 , wherein the training logic carries out the comparing and reducing by:
iteratively adjusting the data rate and/or transmit power level based on iterative comparisons of iteratively obtained feedback to the baseline alien crosstalk value level.
17. The network switch according to claim 15 , wherein:
the feedback represents detection of an event occurring as a result of alien crosstalk.
18. The network switch according to claim 17 , wherein:
the feedback comprises at least one from the group comprising an indicator of a neighboring link fail and an indicator of a retraining sequence for a neighboring link.
19. A network switch, comprising:
multiple Ethernet ports, each of the multiple Ethernet ports including
training logic operative during a training mode of operation to
monitor background link operating characteristics with on-chip circuitry during a non-data-transfer interval to establish a baseline alien crosstalk value;
transmit training data at a first transmit power level and first data rate to a link partner during a data transfer interval;
monitor the link with the on-chip circuitry during the data transfer interval to detect feedback indicating alien crosstalk effects to neighboring Ethernet links due to the transmitting; and
adjust the first data rate and/or first transmit power level to an adjusted second data rate and/or second transmit power level based on the feedback.
20. The network switch according to claim 19 , wherein:
the feedback represents one or more measurements of at least one from the group comprising signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and measured alien crosstalk.