David, SerDes is typically referred to PMA layer of IEEE8023.3 that is re-sync and serial/parallel (TBI) conversion, after that on parallel side there is PCS layer in which 10B/8B decoding is performed and Autonegotiation (if needed) obtaining the decoded GMII interface (8 data bit + 2 controls). usually PHY device include PCS giving out GMII interface while serdes only PMA giving out TBI. So if your serdes includes 8b/10B you are only missing Autonegotiation. regards Massimo ----------------------------------------- Massimo Panonzini OMSN R&D Alcatel Italy via Trento 30 20059 Vimercate (Milan) massimo.panonzini@xxxxxxxxxx tel: +39-039-6863279 fax: +39-039-6863590 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "...and if you listen very hard, the tune will come to you at last when all are one and one is all, to be a rock and not to roll..." David Shapiro <DavidS@bigbandne To: "List (E-mail)" <si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> t.com> cc: Sent by: Subject: [SI-LIST] SerDes vs. PHY for Gigabit Ethernet si-list-bounce@fr eelists.org 17/10/2003 14.56 Please respond to DavidS Hello, I want to drive GigabitEthernet on fiber optics. Parallel data format is RGMII. Does anyone know, if I can use simple SerDes supporting RTBI format (having 8 to 10 bit encoding), instead of a Gigabit Ethernet PHY device ? Are RTBI and RGMII compatable ? If I use Serdes what functionality I would not be able to support ? Thanks. *********************************************************** This footnote confirms that this email message has been scanned for the presence of malicious code, vandals & computer viruses and was found clean. BigBand Networks Ltd. *********************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from si-list: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field or to administer your membership from a web page, go to: //www.freelists.org/webpage/si-list For help: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'help' in the Subject field List archives are viewable at: //www.freelists.org/archives/si-list or at our remote archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/si-list/messages Old (prior to June 6, 2001) list archives are viewable at: http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu ------------------------------------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from si-list: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field or to administer your membership from a web page, go to: //www.freelists.org/webpage/si-list For help: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'help' in the Subject field List archives are viewable at: //www.freelists.org/archives/si-list or at our remote archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/si-list/messages Old (prior to June 6, 2001) list archives are viewable at: http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu