A new family of multi-port Ethernet switches brings high-performance networking, time-sensitive features, and hardware-assisted redundancy to industrial and mission-critical environments, supporting both managed and unmanaged configurations for maximum flexibility.
Microchip has rolled out a new family of highly configurable Gigabit Ethernet switches designed for industrial applications, offering advanced timing, redundancy, and multi-port support. The LAN9645xF and LAN9645xS series aim to deliver reliable, real-time networking while simplifying deployment in demanding environments.
The LAN9645xF/S switches are available in 5-, 7-, and 9-port configurations, with up to five integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T PHYs. They can operate as either standalone unmanaged switches or as managed devices using Linux® Distributed Switch Architecture (DSA), giving designers flexibility in both cost-sensitive and feature-rich network setups.
The LAN9645xF variant is geared toward advanced industrial networking, supporting Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and Audio Video Bridging (AVB). It also provides hardware-assisted redundancy in line with IEC 62439-3 standards, including Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) and High-availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR), enabling zero-packet-loss failover during network faults. The LAN9645xS, meanwhile, focuses on cost-effective unmanaged switching, offering standard Ethernet connectivity with limited Precision Time Protocol (PTP) support.
The key characteristics are:
- Development supported via a daughter card that pairs with an evaluation board for managed operation using Linux DSA software.
- Standalone unmanaged base board available for quick demonstrations and performance evaluation.
- Enables designers to test switch functionality in an out-of-the-box setup.
- Supports both managed and unmanaged configurations for flexible development.
These switches integrate seamlessly with Microchip’s broader ecosystem of MCUs, timing, and memory solutions, allowing designers to build scalable, reliable networks for industrial, aerospace, defense, data center, and sustainability applications. The flexibility of the series helps reduce system costs by combining multiple capabilities into a single device, eliminating the need for separate components.
Limited sample quantities of the LAN9645xF and LAN9645xS switches are now available directly from the company or through regional sales representatives. By targeting both low-cost unmanaged setups and feature-rich industrial networks, this new switch family offers engineers a versatile solution for building high-performance, resilient Ethernet systems.
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