The SGMII and Gb Ethernet PCS IP core implements the PCS functions of both the Cisco SGMII and the IEEE 802.3z (1000BaseX) specifications. The PCS mode is pin selectable. This IP core may be used in bridging applications and/or PHY implementations.
The Serial Gigabit Media Independent Interface (SGMII) connects Ethernet Media Access Controllers (MACs) and Physical Layer Devices (PHYs). It replaces the classic 22-wire GMII connection with a low pin count, 4-pair, differential SGMII connection. The classic GMII interface defined in the IEEE802.3 specification is strictly for Gigabit rate operation. However, the Cisco SGMII specification defines a method for operating 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps MACs over the interface. Moreover, the Cisco SGMII specification is comprised of more than just a bus interface definition; it defines a bridging function between SGMII and GMII buses. This IP core may be used in bridging applications and/or PHY implementations. It is widely used as an interface for a discrete Ethernet PHY chip.