Re: [PATCH v2] net: phy: workaround for buggy cable detection by LAN8700 after cable plugging

From: Igor Plyatov
Date: Fri Aug 14 2015 - 13:12:40 EST


Dear Michael,

The LAN8700, LAN8710, LAN8720 is a product of the SMSC company.
Microchip acquired SMSC in August 2012.

The LAN8700 is a legacy product for Microchip and they will not update
anything about it. So, even if Microchip know about HW bug, then there
is no chance to have Errata sheet or any new documents about LAN8700.
Long time ago, I worked on a custom device with a PHY of the same family.
Errata sheet existed but was only available by signing a NDA. So I simply
wondered whether this changed since SMSC is now Microchip or if they keep
it still so covered...

The Microchip web-site does not contain Errata sheet for LAN87xx devices.
While it contains many Errata sheets for PIC and dsPIC devices.
So, situation is same as many years ago.


I propose following comment for the lan87xx_read_status():
/*
* The LAN87xx suffers from rare absence of the ENERGYON-bit when
Ethernet cable
* plugs in while LAN87xx is in Energy Detect Power-Down mode. This
leads to
* unstable detection of plugging in Ethernet cable.
* This workaround disables Energy Detect Power-Down mode and waiting for
* response on link pulses to detect presence of plugged Ethernet cable.
* The Energy Detect Power-Down mode enabled again in the end of
procedure to
* save approximately 220 mW of power if cable is unplugged.
*/
Nice. Only one nitpick: ... _is_ enabled again...


Changed in [PATCH v3].

Best wishes.
--
Igor Plyatov
--
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
the body of a message to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/