The LAN8840/41 devices can facilitate the prioritization of critical packets by providing a high-speed timestamp that is then transmitted to various components to determine network latencies, adapt to these latencies, and synchronize all connected devices. This functionality is essential in process automation applications requiring precisely controlled production systems, such as robotics, distributed sensors, and refrigeration and mixing systems. Designed for applications demanding maximum ruggedness, the LAN8840/41 devices can withstand extreme industrial temperatures between -40°C and +105°C.
“The new single-port LAN8840/41 transceivers complete our Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) offering by providing connectivity for end nodes in process automation applications,” said Charles Forni, vice president of Microchip’s USB and Networking business unit. “These devices complement our existing Ethernet portfolio and provide our customers with an end-to-end networking solution comprised of components, development tools, and Microchip support.”
To help businesses meet their sustainability goals by reducing network energy consumption, the LAN8840/41 devices offer features such as Wake-on-LAN (WoL) and power-sensing shutdown mode.
In addition, EEE (Energy-Efficient Ethernet) includes low-power sleep and clock stop modes to optimize power consumption.
Microchip is a well-established supplier of industrial networking solutions, offering a broad portfolio of robust, highly integrated products. The new LAN8840/41 devices are particularly well-suited for markets where applications require accurate and precise timestamping, such as gas and chemical processing, power distribution, and foreign exchange trading systems, which must demonstrate synchronization with NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) to within a millisecond or finer increments.
Development Tools:
The LAN8841 EDS (Ethernet Development System) daughterboard is designed as a module that can be plugged into compatible Microchip host boards. When connected to a PCIe® network adapter, allows the LAN8841 to be evaluated using any host that supports the PCIe interface. Linux drivers compatible with Precision Timing Protocol 4L (PTP4L) for the LAN8841 are available in the Microchip repository on GitHub.
Pricing and Availability:
The LAN8840 (48 QFN) and LAN8841 (64 WQFN) devices are now available in mass production. The starting price is $2.78 for orders of 10,000 units.
