Overview - ISO/IEC 26908:2009 (MAC‑PHY interface for ISO/IEC 26907 / ECMA‑368)
ISO/IEC 26908:2009 defines the standardized MAC–PHY interface for implementations of ECMA‑368 (High Rate Ultra Wideband - HR‑UWB). The document specifies signal definitions, register layouts, frame formats and the theory of operation that link a distributed Medium Access Control (MAC) sublayer to a Physical layer (PHY). It ensures interoperable hardware/firmware interfaces for wireless devices implementing the ECMA‑368 PHY and provides management, control and data transport primitives between MAC and PHY.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Interface signal sets: Control, Data, CCA (Clear Channel Assessment) and Management interfaces with defined signals such as !PHY_RESET, TX_EN, RX_EN, PHY_ACTIVE, PCLK, DATA_EN, DATA[7:0], CCA_STATUS, SERIAL_DATA.
- Clocking: PHY supplies interface clock PCLK (nominal 66 MHz) and timing of all synchronous signals is referenced to PCLK.
- Data path: 8‑bit bidirectional data bus DATA[7:0] driven by MAC in transmit and PHY in other states; DATA_EN indicates valid data.
- Register model: 256 × 8‑bit register space divided into regions - dynamic registers (00h–1Fh), optional static parameters (20h–7Fh) and vendor‑specific (80h–FFh). Static vs dynamic parameters are distinguished (constants vs runtime‑modifiable).
- PHY states and transitions: Defined operational states - RESET, SLEEP, STANDBY, READY, TRANSMIT, RECEIVE - with state transition, reset and sleep/exit behavior.
- Frame formats & operation: Frame structures, preamble control, single/burst mode transmit/receive, turnaround times, error conditions and recovery.
- CCA and management protocols: Serial management (SERIAL_DATA) for register access and CCA_STATUS reporting for channel assessment.
- Ancillary material: Annex A (electrical specifications) and Annex B (vendor/version coding).
Practical applications and who uses this standard
- Silicon vendors designing PHY chips and PHY IP for HR‑UWB devices.
- Firmware and driver developers implementing MAC–PHY control, register access and data transfer.
- System integrators and product designers creating interoperable wireless devices based on ECMA‑368.
- Test labs and certification bodies verifying conformance, timing and electrical behavior.
- Standards bodies and regulators referencing MAC–PHY behavior for compliance and interoperability.
Related standards
- ECMA‑368 (High Rate Ultra Wideband PHY and MAC) - primary PHY/MAC specification referenced by ISO/IEC 26908.
- ISO/IEC 26907 - related suite in the same series (see title linkage).
Keywords: ISO/IEC 26908:2009, MAC‑PHY interface, ECMA‑368, PHY‑MAC interface, high rate UWB, register map, clear channel assessment, PCLK 66MHz, wireless interoperability.
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