Microchip Technology Inc. announced the LAN9252 stand-alone EtherCAT® slave controller with two 10/100 PHYs. This highly integrated device’s dual 10/100 Ethernet transceivers support both fiber and copper, along with cable diagnostics capabilities. The LAN9252 supports traditional Host Bus and SPI/SQI™ communication, along with standalone digital I/O interfaces, providing system designers the flexibility to select from a wide range of microcontrollers when implementing the real-time EtherCAT communications standard. Additionally, the LAN9252 reduces system complexity and cost for developers using EtherCAT in factory-automation, process-control, motor/motion-control and Internet of Things (IoT) industrial-Ethernet applications.
Technology research firm ARC Advisory Group is forecasting Ethernet’s double-digit growth for use in industrial networks, partly fueled by applications in the emerging IoT segment. With EtherCAT technology’s “on-the-fly” processing and use of standard Ethernet cabling, Microchip’s LAN9252 slave controller offers the high level of integration and cost optimization required for current and future industrial applications.
“Microchip’s history as a supplier supporting the very long product life cycles in the industrial market, combined with our leading-edge Ethernet devices, ensures customers have a reliable partner,” said Mitch Obolsky, VP of Microchip’s USB and Networking Group. “Adding EtherCAT technology, with its expanding market share, is a significant addition to our industry-leading Ethernet portfolio. The LAN9252 provides our customers with ease-of-use and configuration flexibility, taking communication and connectivity in embedded industrial designs to the next level.”
Fully compliant with the EtherCAT standard and interoperable with all EtherCAT systems, the LAN9252 EtherCAT slave controller includes 4 Kbytes of Dual-Port RAM (DPRAM) and three Fieldbus Memory Management Units (FMMUs). The LAN9252 also features cable diagnostics support that allows field service technicians to rapidly and effectively diagnose line faults and provides for fiber connectivity. This EtherCAT slave controller is available in commercial, industrial and extended industrial temperature ranges, in low pin count and small body size QFN and QFP-EP packages.
Development Support
To enable development with the LAN9252, two Microchip evaluation boards supporting various system architectures were also announced today. These hardware systems demonstrate how to interface to the LAN9252 through basic input/output connections, or to microcontrollers such as the 32-bit PIC32MX family via serial communications. A Software Development Kit (SDK) is also available today, which further enables developers to immediately start device evaluation and begin building solutions for their applications, allowing them to quickly familiarize themselves with features of the LAN9252. Both boards, part # EVB-LAN9252-HBI and part # EVB-LAN9252-DIGIO, are available now for $300 each via any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or from microchipDIRECT.
Pricing & Availability
The LAN9252 EtherCAT slave controller is available now for sampling in 64-pin QFN and QFP-EP packages, starting at $7.01 each, in 10,000-unit quantities. For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/LAN9252-041715a. To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip’s authorized distribution partners.
About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality.
The Microchip name and logo is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. SQI is a trademark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. EtherCAT is a registered trademark of the EtherCAT Technology Group in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.
