SPE offering reduces cost and complexity of IIoT edge devices

15-03-2023 | Microchip Technology | Semiconductors

Microchip Technology Inc offers new industrial-grade SPE products that will help satisfy SPE's promise, from 10BASE-T1S MAC-PHYs that more readily connect edge IIoT devices to the cloud to industrial versions of its 100BASE-T1 TSN Ethernet PHY transceivers and switches that allow higher-speed applications over far-reaching Ethernet networks.

"Microchip is helping to fuel the adoption of zonal architectures in industrial applications with our new MAC-PHYs that connect to many of Microchip's microcontrollers to reduce the design complexity and implementation costs for bringing a host of sensors, actuators and other products into the new 10BASE-T1S network infrastructure," said Matthias Kaestner, vice president at Microchip. "With these new 10BASE-T1S MAC-PHYs and industrial versions of our 100BASE-T1 TSN products, we are making it easier to connect the physical world to the cloud while enabling a seamless Ethernet architecture throughout the IIoT and other industrial networks."

The new LAN8650 and LAN8651 10BASE-T1S MAC-PHY Ethernet Controllers with SPI simplify the implementation of zonal architectures by enabling basic MCUs, rather than higher-level MCUs with a MAC, to be employed when creating sensors, actuators and other devices for the edge of OT and IT networks. These low-speed devices do not require their own communication system, and the company's MAC-PHYs connect them to a standard Ethernet system to the cloud across simple twisted-pair wiring.

Designers can employ MCUs with an integrated Ethernet MAC for industrial applications that need higher bandwidth. The company now provides an industrial-grade version of its LAN8770 100BASE-T1 Ethernet PHY Transceiver that provides 100Mbps transmit and receive capability over a single UTP cable.

"Microchip's industrial-grade 100BASE-T1 offerings reduce cost, wiring and installation complexity by enabling a complete SPE network from device to server," said Charles Forni, vice president of Microchip's USB and networking business unit. "Our industrial-grade SPE offerings are built to withstand harsh environmental conditions across an expanded temperature range while delivering enhanced performance, such as safety, security and extended cable reach, to support industrial applications."

To support the design efforts of these new products, a set of network analysis tools and evaluation boards are offered, including the LAN8651 EVB and EVB-LAN9383. Its MPLAB Harmony v3 supplies software support to configure, debug and program designs, while the MPLAB Network Creator delivers a quick and intuitive GUI for switch configuration.

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By Seb Springall