Ethernet IEEE 802.

3ba Standard

Hussen | Verification Engineer

Presented on Thursday, 28th March, 2019

1
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
2
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

3
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

4
40 and 100 GbE layer model

5
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
6
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.

7
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

8
40 and 100 GbE layer model

9
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

10
40 and 100 GbE layer model

11
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.

12
40 and 100 GbE layer model

13
 Thank You

14