Ethernet IEEE 802.

3ba Standard

Hussen | Verification Engineer

Presented on Thursday, 28th March, 2019

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Ethernet
 Ethernet is the traditional technology, a way of connecting computers
together in local area networks(LANs), enabling devices to communicate
with each other via a protocol -- a set of rules
 Ethernet frame format

7 bytes 1 byte 6 bytes 6 bytes 2 bytes 64-1536 bytes(vary) 4 bytes

 The IEEE P802.3ba architecture is different than previous generations of
Ethernet and needs consideration
 Types of frames are runt, jumbo, pause.
 After preamble we can insert inter frame gap which is variable
 Ethernet operates with the frequency of 644.53125Mhz

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IEEE 802.3ba standard
 Common architecture for both 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s
Ethernet
 Uses IEEE 802.3 Ethernet MAC and frame format
 Defines physical layer technologies for backplane, copper
cable assembly and optical fiber medium

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Architecture
 • Consistent with previous Ethernet rates, extension to
40Gb/s & 100Gb/s data rates
 Frame format; Services;
 Management attributes
• Media Access Control (MAC)
– No changes to the MAC operation
• Physical Coding Sub layer (PCS)
• Physical Medium Attachment Sub layer (PMA)
• Physical Medium Dependent Sub layer (PMD)
• Interface Definitions

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40 and 100 GbE layer model

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40 and 100 GbE layer model
 Media access control (MAC)- Within that data link layer,
the LLC provides flow control and multiplexing for the
logical link, while the MAC provides flow control and
multiplexing for the transmission medium. Data
Encapsulation, Ethernet framing, addressing, error
detection (e.g. CRC)
 RS (Reconciliation sub layer)- The RS converts the MAC
serial data stream to the parallel data paths of XLGMII
(40 Gb/s) or CGMII (100 Gb/s). Provides alignment at the
beginning frame, while maintaining total MAC transmit
IPG

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40 and 100 GbE layer model
 Physical Coding Sub-layer (PCS)- PCS layer involves introducing lane
swapping and lane skew.
 The IEEE 802.3ba specification suggests a max PCS skew tolerance
of 180 ns.
 Note that for 40GBASE-R, at PCS lane signaling rate of 10.3125
Gbps (XLAUI)
 Note that for 100GBASE-R, at PCS lane signaling rate of 5.15625
Gbps (CAUI)
 For Arria 10 GT devices only, you can configure a 100GbE CAUI-4
option, with 4x25.78125 Gbps links.
 Encodes 64 bit data & 8 bit control of XLGMII or CGMII to 66 bit
code groups for communication with 40GBASE-R and 100GBASE-R
PMA (64B/66B encoding). Distributes data to multiple lanes,
provides lane alignment and deskew. Management interface to
control and report status.

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40 and 100 GbE layer model
 Forward Error Correction sub layer- Optional sub layer for
40GBASE-R and 100GBASE-R to improve the BER
performance of copper and backplane PHYs. Uses the same
FEC functions as defined in Clause 74. Operates on a per PCS
lane basis at a rate of 10.3125 GBd for 40G and 5.15625 GBd
for 100G
 Physical Medium Attachment (PMA)- PMA layer involves
sending pseudo-random bit sequences (PRBS), through the
system and detecting errors, such as bit errors or pattern
synchronization issues. Loopback testing is important at this
level. Provides bit level multiplexing or mapping from n lane to
m lanes. Provides clock and data recovery. Provides optional
loopback and test pattern generation/checking functions
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40 and 100 GbE layer model

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40 and 100 GbE layer model
 Physical Medium Dependent (PMD)- Interfaces to various
transmission medium (e.g., backplane, copper or optical
fiber medium). Transmission/reception of data streams
to/from the underlying medium. Provides signal detect
and fault function to detect fault conditions
–40G PMDs: 40GBASE-KR4, 40GBASE-CR4, 40GBASE-SR4,
40GBASE-LR4
–100G PMDs: 100GBASE-CR10, 100GBASE-SR10,
100GBASE-LR4, 100GBASE-ER4

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40 and 100 GbE layer model

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40 and 100 GbE layer model
 Management Interface- Uses the optional MDIO/MDC
management data interface specified in Clause 45 for
management of 40 and 100 Gigabit Physical layer devices
 Management Data Input Output (MDIO) and
Management Data Clock (MDC) is a two-wire interface
used by Ethernet Station Management Entity to configure
as well as read status from various PHY devices
connected to it. Management Data Input and Output
interface is specified in the IEEE 802.3 standard, for
providing a serial interface to transfer management data
between Ethernet Media Access Controller (MAC) and a
Physical Layer (PHY). Ethernet management interface
entity is the device that handles MDIO and MDC.

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40 and 100 GbE layer model

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 Thank You

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