PHY
PHY (pronounced faɪ , actually fɪ of phy sical Layer) is a term used in computer and communications technology by which a specific integrated circuit or a functional group is called a circuit necessary for the encoding and decoding of data between a purely digital system and a modulated analog is responsible. PHY stands for physical interface. The term can be found, for example, on the circuit diagrams of Ethernet cards . Fully integrated Ethernet controller components have a built-in PHYceiver.
PHY is still the common abbreviation for the bit transmission layer (physical layer) of the OSI model.
Application examples
- A PHY semiconductor is commonly used on Ethernet devices. It is used for digital access to the modulated operated channel. Typically there is another component in the environment that is independent of the medium, the so-called MAC .
- A PHY group is integrated in most USB controllers on hosts and in embedded systems and represents a bridge between the digital and the analog electrical connection level of the interface.
- The IrDA specification for infrared data transmission contains the description of an IrPHY for the physical layer of data transport.
PHY integrated in the Ethernet controller
