- Microchip Technology launches compact, cost-effective and single-port Ethernet PHY compliant device
- It is ISO26262 safety certified with specialised hardware safety features
Connected mobility in the context of automotive networks requires more high-speed data delivery than ever before while having a simplified design and configuration.
Microchip Technology has launched the LAN8770, an OPEN Alliance TC10 sleep standard Ethernet physical layer transceiver (PHY) with a sleep current that is less than 15 µA — 4x lower than other available devices.
The LAN8770 is a compact, cost-effective, single-port 100BASE-T1 Ethernet PHY compliant with the IEEE 802.3bw-2015 specification. It provides:
- 100 Mbps transmit and receive capability over a single Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
- Exceeds automotive electromagnetic interference requirements
- Grade 1 (-40 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius) automotive AEC-Q100 qualified.
Additionally, the LAN8770 is ISO26262 safety certified with specialised hardware safety features, Failure Modes, Effects and Diagnostic Analysis (FMEDA) and safety manual.
Communication support
The LAN8770M and LAN8770R support communication with an Ethernet MAC via standard MII/RMII and MII/RMII/RGMII interfaces, respectively. An optional 125 MHz or 50 MHz reference clock output is also provided for RGMII and RMII applications, eliminating the requirement for an external reference clock.
“Typically, an automotive module can only consume 100 microamps maximum in sleep (battery) mode so, if the PHY alone consumes north of 50 microamps, additional circuitry is required to avoid exceeding the target power budget,” said Charles Forni, vice president of Microchip’s USB and Networking business unit. “Often, applications add an additional wire or CAN bus just to enable and disable the power. Our PHY avoids such a need, minimizing components, installation and cost.”
Microchip’s LAN8770 EtherGREEN™ energy efficiency technology provides low-power operation along with ultra-low-power sleep and wake-up modes. Power efficiency is further enhanced with optional integrated linear regulator and Microchip’s flexPWR® technology for variable xMII and input/output supply voltages, providing flexible designing and saving power.
Development Tools
Advanced PHY diagnostics provide troubleshooting capabilities through Microchip’s integrated LinkMD® cable diagnostic system that can detect cable defects, shorts or opens. The device also provides a receiver Signal Quality Indicator (SQI), over-temperature and under-voltage protection and comprehensive status interrupt support along with various loopback and test modes.
A separate 100BASE-T1 to 100BASE-TX Media Converter evaluation kit is available now. A 100BASE-T1 daughter card evaluation board is available for use with Microchip’s ATSAMV71-XULT Xplained Ultra microcontroller kit as well as the SAMA5D3-EDS microprocessor kit.
The new Ethernet PHY family includes two devices: the LAN8770M (MII/RMII) and LAN8770R (MII/RMII/RGMII) in 5 x 5 mm 32-pin and 6 x 6 mm 36-Pin QFN packages, respectively. Both devices are available now.
The small package is ideal for space-constrained applications such as the infotainment head unit, telematics modules or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
