DATA COMMUNICATIONS WITH ENHANCED SPEED MODE

An interconnect controller for a data processing platform includes a data link layer controller for selectively receiving data packets from and sending data packets to a higher protocol layer, and a physical layer controller coupled to the data link layer controller and adapted to be coupled to a communication link. The physical layer controller operates according to a predetermined protocol selectively at one of a plurality of enhanced speeds that are not specified by any published standard and are separated from each other by the same predetermined amount. In response to performing a link initialization, the interconnect controller performs at least one setup operation to select a speed, and subsequently operates the communication link using a selected speed.