PCIe 3.1 Ethernet Bridges Enable Power Savings

Microchip Technology’s LAN7430 Ethernet bridge provides integrated power, clocks and an Ethernet physical (PHY) interface while the LAN7431 provides Reduced Gigabit Media-Independent Interface (RGMII) for alternative PHYs and switches. The LPSS L1.1 (snooze) and L1.2 (off) enables designers to reduce power consumption and improve battery life by snoozing or turning off the high-speed circuits in the PHY when not in use.

 

When connected to an application System on Chip (SoC) or processor as host, the LAN7430/1 allows the host device to deliver audio, data or video data through the 10/100/1000 Ethernet network. Connection to the host is achieved via the PCIe 3.1 specification, providing up to 2.5 Gigatransfers per second (GT/s) in each direction simultaneously.

 

The LAN7431’s RGMII interface allows the freedom to design with alternative link layers such as IEEE 802.3bw-2015 (100Base-T1) for 100 Mbps and 802.3bp-2016 (1000Base-T1) operation over a single twisted pair cable. It also provides support for real-time Ethernet, IEEE 1588-2008 (PTP) and IEEE 802.1AS (gPTP) Precision Time Protocols. The LAN7431 offers an automotive variant that exceeds AEC-Q100 Grade 2 (-40°C to +105°C) qualification.

 

Offered as a true single-chip solution, the LAN7430/1 family offers single 3.3V supply operation and integrate a JTAG (1149.1) Test Access Port (TAP). Lao on tap, LINK MD diagnostics employs Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) to analyze the cabling harness.

 

The LAN7430 and LAN7431 are backed by Microchip’s free LANCheck online design review service that reviews customer designs, ensuring that best design practices are used. A MPLAB Connect software tool is provided for programming One-Time-Programmable (OTP) memory, or the optional EEPROM memory, for device configuration. Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified drivers are available along with Linux mainline kernel drivers for both networking and PTP and gPTP synchronization. Evaluation boards (EVB-LAN7430 and EVB-LAN7431) are also available.

 

The LAN7430 is available in a 48-lead QFN package for $3.95 each/1,000 and the LAN7431 comes in a 72-lead QFN package for $3.59 each/1,000. For more details, peruse the LAN7430/LAN7431 datasheet.