Enables increased connectivity and network optimisation while lowering costs for industrial automation networks
Thanks to Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), Ethernet is eliminating the need for separate Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) networks, providing a more ubiquitous approach to synchronisation and precision timing for modern industrial automation systems. However, to accomplish this, the use of multi-chip solutions has often been required, increasing both complexity and costs for developers.
To remove dependency on such expensive solutions for deterministic communications, the SparX-5i family of Ethernet switches, a single-chip solution, now offers a complete TSN feature set.
The SparX-5i family supports TSN IEEE standards such as IEEE 1588v2 and IEEE 802.1AS-REV profile for Time Synchronisation, IEEE 802.1Qbv for Traffic Shaping, IEEE 802.1Qbu/802.3br for Delay Reduction, IEEE 802.1Qci for Stream Policing and IEEE 802.1CB for Seamless Redundancy. These allow effective real-time communication.
Offering these standards in a single chip guarantees end-to-end transmission of high-priority traffic with extremely low latency. Additionally, the family supports standard L2/L3 Ethernet with up to 200G of bandwidth, incorporating 100M, 1G, 2.5G, 5G, 10G and 25 GbE interfaces for flexible connectivity solution.
“With SparX-5i family of Ethernet switches, we’re providing a simplified pathway to a TSN compatible infrastructure, helping achieve real-time data communication across the entire network,” said Charles Forni, vice president of Microchip’s USB and networking business unit. “The SparX-5i family addresses all levels of the industrial automation network, from the field bus to the factory backbone.”
The VSC6817SDK IStaX Linux Application Software is a turnkey industrial Ethernet switch software solution that uses the latest Linux operating system for optimal performance and cost-effective implementation. It’s highly integrated with advanced L2+ switch features, such as QCLs and ACLs, and includes support for key TSN features.
SparX-5i and SparX-5 switches are available in volume production from Microchip Technology or its authorised worldwide distributor. Evaluation boards and reference designs are also available upon request.
