The combination of the Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS), Physical Medium Attachment (PMA), and Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) sublayer constitute the physical layers for the protocol. Two main physical standards are specified:
- BASE-T PHYs provide a link between the MAC and copper mediums. This functionality is not offered within the TEMAC. However, external BASE-T PHY devices are readily available on the market. These can connect to the Ethernet MAC using GMII/MII, RGMII, or by additionally using the Ethernet 1G/2.5G BASE-X PCS/PMA or SGMII LogiCORE, SGMII interfaces.
- BASE-X PHYs provide a link between the MAC and (usually) fiber optic mediums. The TEMAC is capable of supporting the 1 Gbps BASE-X standard; 1G/2.5G PCS and PMA sublayers can be offered by connecting the TEMAC to the Ethernet 1G/2.5G BASE-X PCS/PMA or SGMII LogiCORE.