Microchip Technology has announced a new portfolio of optical Ethernet physical-layer (PHY) transceivers, available in 10 Gbps and 25 Gbps variants, focusing on secure, high-precision connectivity for long-distance, high-bandwidth network applications. The transceivers feature support for Precision Time Protocol (PTP) per IEEE 1588 and hardware-based Media Access Control Security (MACsec) encryption.
The portfolio supports link lengths up to 10 kilometers on single-mode fiber, offering scalability and resilience for distributed data center campuses, multi-building facilities, warehouses, and other infrastructures requiring extended reach. Integrated PTP time stamping delivers sub-nanosecond synchronization accuracy across nodes, a level that Microchip says is required for time-sensitive applications and distributed control systems.
Microchip specifies that its transceivers offer speeds from 1 Gbps up to 25 Gbps and are available in both dual-port and quad-port configurations across the following series:
LAN826x supports up to 10 Gbps (dual and quad port, with models featuring MACsec and/or PTP)
LAN802x and LAN804x support up to 25 Gbps (dual and quad port, with models featuring MACsec and/or PTP)
Designers can match the data rate and media—optical or direct attach copper—to the needs of specific applications. MACsec encryption (IEEE 802.1AE) is implemented at the silicon level, providing traffic protection between Ethernet devices and aiming to guard against denial-of-service and spoofing attacks.
Charlie Forni, corporate vice president of Microchip’s networking and connectivity solutions business, said, “Design engineers are looking for solutions that simplify complex networking systems, adding PTP or MACsec could mean a complete overhaul of an existing design, our solution helps preserve our customers’ core-processing investment.” He continued, “We’ve integrated these capabilities into our transceivers, enabling bolt-on functionality to help engineers build smarter, more secure and scalable networks.”
For engineering teams, the LAN8044 Evaluation Kit, including the LAN8044 EDSX Daughter Card and the EVB-VSC7558TSN EDSX, streamlines development and testing. The new optical Ethernet PHY transceivers are now available for purchase through Microchip and authorized distributors.
Source: Microchip Technology
