In addition to an integrated Media Access Controller (MAC), Microchip’s LAN89218 includes a physical interface (PHY) and an SRAM-like slave port, which is a simple, yet highly functional Host Bus Interface. This interface provides a glueless connection to most common 32-bit and 16-bit microprocessors and microcontrollers. Additionally, a programmable interrupt controller allows optimizing performance by selecting polarity, de-assertion interval, and an open-drain output configuration. A General Purpose (GP) timer can be used to generate periodic host interrupts.

The LAN89218 also includes deep transmit and receive data FIFOs interfacing the high-speed HBI to accommodate high-bandwidth and long-latency applications. The FIFOs act as a buffer between the HBI and MAC, passing all transmitted and received data and status information on separate paths.

Integrated checksum offload engines located in the MAC enable the automatic generation of the 16-bit checksum for received and transmitted Ethernet frames, offloading these tasks from the CPU. Memory buffer architecture allows the most efficient use of memory resources by optimizing packet granularity. The Ethernet MAC also supports features for reducing/eliminating packet loss. If the FIFO gets too full, the LAN89218 can automatically generate flow control packets to the remote node (when working in full-duplex mode) or assert back-pressure on the remote node (when working in half-duplex mode). Additionally, the MAC provides enhanced programmable features designed to minimize host supervision, bus utilization, and pre- or post-message processing. These features include the ability to disable retries after a collision and checksum calculation for transmit and receive operations. With its internally separated transmit and receive data paths, the LAN89218 is optimized for high-performance applications, especially in full-duplex mode.The data paths manage both the payload and the status data.

The PHY, which interfaces to the MAC and LAN, can be configured for either 10 or 100 Mbps Ethernet operation in full- and half-duplex mode. It also supports HP Auto-MDIX for detection and correction of crossed Ethernet cabling. Microchip automotive grade devices are specifically designed, fabricated, tested, characterized, qualified, and supported for use in automotive applications. TrueAuto robustness begins with proprietary design for reliability techniques within the silicon IC itself as well as in the design of the package. Extensive technologies and processes, such as enhanced monitors, are used in fabrication of TrueAuto products in order to continuously drive improvements in accordance with Microchip's zero Defects per Million (DPM) goals. Product qualification is focused on the most demanding customer expectations and exceeds many of the automotive reliability standards including AEC-Q100. Microchip TrueAuto services are provided by a dedicated organization composed of sales, marketing, applications engineering, operations, quality, and product support personnel specialized in meeting the requirements of the automotive customer.

Microchip also offers its complimentary and confidential LANCheck® online design review services free of charge to customers who select our products for their application design-in.*

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The LAN89218 is a full-featured, single-chip 10/100 Ethernet controller which incorporates essential protocol requirements for operating an Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T and 802.3u100BASE-TX node. It is specifically designed and tested for 16/32-bit automotive grade applications including diagnostic interface, system test interface, and fast software downloads where performance, flexibility, ease of integration and system cost control are required.

Applications

  Diagnostic interface for dealership service bay

  Fast software download interface (e.g. OBD connector)

  Gateway service interface for dealership, aftermarket, repair shop

  In-vehicle engineering development interface

  Vehicle manufacturing test interface for production plant assembly line