Phyter family fixes Ethernet

has introduced the Phyter family of application specific 10/100 physical layer Ethernet transceivers. National's new Phyter family of commercial, industrial and extreme-environment Ethernet transceivers are said to be the first to address the expansive needs of embedded design engineers who are developing products that require network connectivity.

The Phyter commercial (DP83848C) transceiver reportedly addresses the quality, reliability and cost requirements of embedded developers networking their devices for the home.

In addition to features such as IEEE 802.3u specification compliance, UNH interoperability certification, Auto-MDIX and up to 137 metres of cable reach, National's DP83848C incorporates a number of system cost-reducing features not found on other suppliers' physical layer products (PHYs). For example, the DP83848C incorporates a 25 MHz clock-out that eliminates the need of an additional media access control (MAC) clock source component. Between board space and component savings, National's Phyter commercial transceiver eliminates up to 75 cents in system cost per port.

The Phyter industrial (DP83848I) transceiver is said to address the quality and system reliability needs of developers implementing real-time Ethernet in factories and other harsh environments.

By removing non-deterministic signalling from the data path, the DP83848I ensures timing latency across the media independent interface (MII) and reduced media independent interface (RMII) MAC standard interfaces. In addition to an industrial temperature range, the industry's highest electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of 4000V, and up to 150 metres of cable reach, the DP83848I has IEEE 802.3 specification compliance guaranteed by test on every unit shipped.

Finally, the Phyter extreme (DP83848YB) transceiver enables Ethernet connectivity up to 150 metres of cable reach in extreme temperature environments.

National guarantees through test that every unit shipped is IEEE 802.3u specification- compliant from -40 degrees C to 125 degrees C. The DP83848YB enables networking components in harsh factory and system environments, such as engine blocks or motor controls. Developers of mission-critical products are also using it in unpredictable environments, where having an extra 40 degrees of temperature margin over standard industrial temperatures is essential.

National also provides the Phyter Ethernet integrity software utility that provides unmatched access for system support, debug and system design work. Available for download here, this utility gives the user complete access for link, status, device configuration and network status monitoring, and has been developed to support current and future National Semiconductor products.