The Gigabit Ethernet switch is designed to meet the rising demands of industrial automation by providing swift data rates and minimal latency.
The industrial automation and digital transition surge propels the demand for flexible and uniform networking solutions tailored for commercial Operational Technology (OT) applications. Microchip Technology has launched the LAN9662 Gigabit ethernet switch to provide automation manufacturers with a comprehensive networking solution. The company claims the product features four ports: Audio-Video Bridging and Time Sensitive Network (AVB/TSN), integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T PHYs, and a 600 MHz Arm Cortex-A7 CPU module. Featuring leadership in deterministic switching, fault-tolerant redundancy, and energy efficiency, the product significantly reduces the complexity and overhead of deploying ethernet across various industrial applications, including factory automation, smart grid, building control, transportation, etc.
For industrial Ethernet solutions, the ethernet switch comes equipped with a Real-Time Engine (RTE), which can alter the ethernet frame while it’s being transmitted. This results in rapid cyclic data rates and minimal latency. It adheres to significant industry benchmarks like the OPC Unified Architecture (OPC/UA) and PROFINET software stack, ensuring the precise communication needs for industrial networking. The press release highlights that with its dual integrated PHYs, the switch ensures ultra-low latency, accommodating multiple daisy chain configurations. These PHY interfaces guarantee swift data handling within a set timeframe, creating a dependable network for automation tasks like motor, conveyor, and multi-dimensional robot control systems.
“Expanding on the LAN966x family, the LAN9662 opens a path to scale with TSN-enabled networking endpoints,” said Charles Forni, vice president of Microchip’s USB and networking business unit. “Our solutions offer customers the advantage of starting their designs with industry standards met, supported by a comprehensive software portfolio.”
