Multi-rate media independent interface over a physical coding sublayer

摘要

A method for converting a data stream from a first rate to a second rate N_A times greater than the first rate, such that the converted data stream conforms to a coding requirement that symbols be arranged in units of symbol length M, includes receiving, at the first rate, a data packet, and an inter-packet gap containing Y₁ idle symbols, generating N_A repetitions of each data symbol of the data packet, determining whether replicating each symbol of the inter-packet gap N_A times would violate the coding requirement, and, at least partially in response to determining that replicating each symbol of the inter-packet gap N_A times would violate the requirement, generating greater than or less than Y₁*N_A idle symbols. The method also includes outputting, at the second rate, the generated N_A repetitions of each data symbol and the generated idle symbols.