ZHCSAB9E September 2012 – June 2019 DP83848-EP
PRODUCTION DATA.
The smart squelch is responsible for determining when valid data is present on the differential receive inputs. The DP83848-EP implements an intelligent receive squelch to ensure that impulse noise on the receive inputs will not be mistaken for a valid signal. Smart squelch operation is independent of the 10BASE-T operational mode.
The squelch circuitry employs a combination of amplitude and timing measurements (as specified in the IEEE 802.3 10BSE-T standard) to determine the validity of data on the twisted-pair inputs (see Figure 5-9).
The signal at the start of a packet is checked by the smart squelch and any pulses not exceeding the squelch level (either positive or negative, depending upon polarity) will be rejected. Once this first squelch level is overcome correctly, the opposite squelch level must then be exceeded within 150 ns. Finally the signal must again exceed the original squelch level within 150 ns to ensure that the input waveform will not be rejected. This checking procedure results in the loss of typically three preamble bits at the beginning of each packet.
Only after all these conditions have been satisfied will a control signal be generated to indicate to the remainder of the circuitry that valid data is present. At this time, the smart squelch circuitry is reset.
Valid data is considered to be present until the squelch level has not been generated for a time longer than 150 ns, indicating the End of Packet. Once good data has been detected, the squelch levels are reduced to minimize the effect of noise causing premature End of Packet detection.