Microchip adds optical Ethernet PHY transceivers with PTP and MACsec
Microchip has introduced optical Ethernet PHY transceivers with integrated IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol and MACsec encryption, targeting long-reach links up to 10 kilometers and data rates to 25 Gbps. The portfolio spans dual- and quad-port parts across 1 to 25 Gbps, with hardware timing and security intended to simplify deterministic, secure networking. European readers working on industrial automation, campus backbones and robotics may find this relevant given the push toward time-sensitive networking, tighter security requirements and fiber rollouts across factories and research sites.
What Microchip is shipping
The line splits into 10 Gbps (LAN826x) and 25 Gbps (LAN802x/LAN804x) device families, each offered in PTP-only, MACsec-only or combined PTP plus MACsec variants. According to the company, the devices support single-mode fiber links up to 10 km, which potentially suits dispersed sites such as multi-building campuses or large warehouses. Timing is handled in hardware with sub-nanosecond synchronization, a requirement for distributed motion control and other time-sensitive applications. The optical Ethernet PHY transceivers are positioned as a secure, deterministic alternative to copper links, with MACsec (IEEE 802.1AE) providing line-rate encryption to mitigate eavesdropping, spoofing and related attacks.
For system bring-up, Microchip points to the LAN8044 evaluation kit, which combines an EDSX daughter card with an EVB based on its switch silicon, allowing engineers to exercise PTP and MACsec features alongside high-port-count switching during evaluation. Production quantities are available through Microchip and distribution.
Why timing and security matter
In factory and telecom environments, synchronizing clocks across nodes can reduce jitter budgets and potentially cut complexity in application layers. Integrating PTP into the optical Ethernet PHY can therefore reduce external component count compared with discrete timing solutions, while MACsec in the PHY can help secure east-west traffic between devices without changes to upper-layer software. Taken together, optical Ethernet PHY transceivers with on-chip PTP and MACsec can help European teams meet emerging regulatory and security expectations while keeping designs modular.
View on integration
“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,” said Charlie Forni, corporate vice president of Microchip’s networking and connectivity solutions business. “We’ve integrated these capabilities into our transceivers, enabling bolt-on functionality to help engineers build smarter, more secure and scalable networks.”
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