Chapter 27
Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC) Driver
27.1 Introduction
The Fast Ethernet Controller (FEC) driver performs the full set of IEEE 802.3/Ethernet
CSMA/CD media access control and channel interface functions.
The FEC requires an external interface adapter and transceiver function to complete the
interface to the Ethernet media. It supports half or full-duplex operation on 10 Mbps, 100
Mbpsrelated Ethernet networks.
The FEC driver supports the following features:
• Full/Half duplex operation
• Link status change detect
• Auto-negotiation (determines the network speed and full or half-duplex operation)
• Transmits features such as automatic retransmission on collision and CRC generation
• Obtaining statistics from the device such as transmit collisions
The network adapter can be accessed through the ifconfig command with interface name
ethx. The driver auto-probes the external adaptor (PHY device).
27.2 Hardware Operation
The FEC is an Ethernet controller that interfaces the system to the LAN network.
The FEC supports different standard MAC-PHY (physical) interfaces for connection to
an external Ethernet transceiver. The FEC supports the 10/100 Mbps MII, and 10/100
Mbps RMII.
A brief overview of the device functionality is provided here. For details see the FEC
chapter of the i.MX 6 i.MX 6SoloLite Multimedia Applications Processor Reference
Manual
.
i.MX 6SoloLite Linux Reference Manual, Rev. L3.0.35_4.1.0, 09/2013
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
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