These dual-speed LAN878x and LAN888x physical layers are designed to provide secure, reliable, and scalable Ethernet connectivity for automotive and other mission-critical applications. The LAN878x and LAN888x physical layers integrate hardware-based MACsec security compliant with IEEE® 802.1AE 2018, delivering frame-level confidentiality, data integrity, and replication protection without adding system latency or software complexity. Native support for Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) enables the low-latency, deterministic communication required by ADAS systems, zonal gateways, and critical safety control networks.
The LAN878x and LAN888x families enhance security and performance by offering the highest level of functional security for ISO 26262 ASIL B systems. They integrate advanced diagnostics and link monitoring, thereby increasing visibility, accelerating fault detection, and providing stronger system-level security mechanisms than traditional PHY SPE solutions. The LAN878x and LAN888x families offer pin-compatible models in both 100BASE T1 and 1000BASE T1 versions, as well as SGMII and RGMII host interfaces, to facilitate platform scalability and design reuse. This compatibility allows designers to reuse existing designs with the hardware and increase network bandwidth to ensure optimal performance at all times.
“Manufacturers need clear and efficient solutions to adapt Ethernet performance to the evolving needs of in-vehicle networks,” said Charlie Forni, corporate vice president of Microchip’s Networking and Connectivity business unit. “The LAN878x and LAN888x families allow manufacturers to reuse their designs and achieve higher data throughput and enhanced security. By integrating MACsec directly into the PHY, we help designers improve network protection without adding complexity to the system.” The LAN878x family includes the LAN8781, LAN8781M, LAN8782, and LAN8782M models, while the LAN888x family consists of the LAN8881, LAN8881M, LAN8882, LAN8882M, LAN8883, LAN8883M, LAN8884, and LAN8884M models.
Devices with the “M” suffix support MACsec security. All devices are designed for high reliability, with a maximum junction temperature of 150°C suitable for Automotive Grade 1 operating conditions (-40°C to +125°C). In addition to automotive, the LAN878x and LAN888x families also cover a wide range of industrial and mission-critical applications, such as industrial automation, robotics, aviation, and other systems requiring deterministic Ethernet communication. Development Tools: The LAN878x and LAN888x PHY transceivers are supported by powerful hardware evaluation platforms, SGMII, USB, and PCIe® expansion cards, and Linux® software drivers.
