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6.1
Ethernet Coprocessor
Each Ethernet coprocessor contains a Media Access Controller, a transmit data FIFO,
and a receive data FIFO.
Figure 29
Figure 29.
Ethernet Coprocessor Interface
Interface
Logic
To APB
APB
Bridge
Interface
NPE
To NPE
Coproc.
Core
Interface
The Ethernet Coprocessor communicates to peripheral devices and the remainder of
the IXP45X/IXP46X network processors over four interfaces:
• APB Interface
• NPE Coprocessor Interface
• MII/SMII Interface
• Management Data Interface
6.1.1
Ethernet Coprocessor APB Interface
The APB interface is used to allow the Intel XScale processor to communicate directly
to configuration and control registers utilized by the Media Access Controller. The
Ethernet coprocessor's APB interface will be used to configure the Ethernet MAC,
monitor Ethernet status, and configure the physical devices connected via the MII
interfaces. The physical devices connected to the MII interface will be configured using
the shared Management Data Interface.
6.1.2
Ethernet Coprocessor NPE Interface
The NPE Coprocessor Interface is used to communicate between the Ethernet
coprocessor and the NPE core. The NPE coprocessor interface will be used to transfer
incoming and outgoing data traffic to and from the NPE core. The NPE core — along
with other coprocessor — will take the Ethernet data and perform data manipulation,
forward the data to the SDRAM, and update the Queue Manager.
®
®
Intel
IXP45X and Intel
IXP46X Product Line of Network Processors
Developer's Manual
230
®
Intel
IXP45X and Intel
displays a block diagram of a single Ethernet coprocessor.
TX_DATA
Transmit
FIFO
FIFO
Control
Register
Receive
RX_DATA
FIFO
®
IXP46X Product Line of Network Processors—Ethernet MACs
TXSTS*
32 Bits to
Transmit
Byte
Engine
MAC-
Control
Register
Byte to 32
Receive
Bits
Engine
RXSTS*
TX_DATA
MII
Interface
RX_DATA
To PHY
Devices
MDO
MDIO
MDC
Interface
B4229-002
August 2006
Order Number: 306262-004US
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