Zipwire compatibility with other High Speed Interfaces

[RodolfoBorges]

Hi,

AN5134 Introduction to the ZipWire Interface states:

"The Zipwire interface is compatible with devices available from ST Microelectronics and the High Speed Serial Interface (HSSI) from Infineon Technologies AG".

On a closer look:

Zipwire has the Slave device providing the REFCLK. 

HSSI has the Master device providing the REFCLK. 

How is it possible to connect a HSSI Master with a Zipwire Slave or vice-versa if both will be providing a clock or none will be providing? 

Was this compatibility claim lab-tested with actual two different devices?

Regards,

Rodolfo Borges

[davidtosenovjan]

ZipWire and HSSI are interoperable because the REFCLK direction is not fixed on either interface. Both sides can be configured to provide or receive the reference clock, or they can use an external shared clock source.
This flexibility is what allows a ZipWire device to connect to an HSSI device without a clock conflict.