Dropped tx_axis_mac_tvalid Before End of Frame

Streaming data is defined as continuous valid data bytes from the start of frame (SOF) until the end of frame (EOF). This requires that tx_axis_mac_tvalid remains asserted for every cycle between SOF to EOF.

Cut Through Mode

In Cut Through mode, if tx_axis_mac_tvalid is deasserted before EOF, the continuity of streaming data is broken. When this occurs, the Triple Speed Ethernet MAC core terminates the transmission with an error frame and drops the remaining frame. This event increments the aTxIncontinuityFramesErrors counter.

Cut-Through Mode with Width-Adaptation or Store-Forward Mode

In Cut Through mode with width-adaptation or Store Forward mode, a dropped tx_axis_mac_tvalid simply indicates that the corresponding column of tx_axis_mac signals are not written into TXFIFO.

Therefore, in Cut Through mode with width-adaptation or Store Forward mode, a dropped tx_axis_mac_tvalid does not result in an error frame.