Multi-port Ethernet controller reduces wiring and costs

Onsemi has launched a new multi-port Ethernet controller, the 10BASE-T1S Ethernet controller, designed for multi-point communication in industrial environments. The NCN26010 enables more than 40 nodes on a single twisted pair, which exceeds five times the number of nodes requested by the IEEE 802.3cg standard.

This reduces set-up complexity and cuts installation cost by 80%, according to onsemi. In addition, for in-cabinet wiring, the NCN26010 is said to reduce wiring by up to 70% while significantly increasing bandwidth, which helps simplify the layout and power distribution in backplanes without impacting data rates or latencies.

(Source: onsemi)

The new industrial Ethernet controller implements multi-drop 10BASE-T1S (802.3cg) Ethernet, which is a replacement for legacy point-to-point and multi-point industrial communication standards, said onsemi, and can replace RS-485, CAN, RS-232, HART, and other interfaces. This allows for greater data throughput over existing wiring, “eliminating the need to re-pull wires which is often the greatest expense in a networking installation.”

“Single-pair Ethernet installations based on the controller reduce the number, volume, and cost of wiring while the multi-drop capability allows for multiple nodes, such as sensors, to be connected to a single twisted pair,” added the company.

A key feature of the NCN26010 is a proprietary enhanced noise immunity, which benefits installations in electrically noisy industrial environments. The device also offers lower capacitance on the line pins than existing T1S solutions, which allows for more nodes to be implemented on a single network.

Onsemi claims the NCN26010 is the industry’s first PHY + MAC controller for 10BASE-T1S and can connect to controllers, sensors, and other devices without the need for an external MAC. In addition, since the NCN26010 can communicate over SPI, the pin count is lower and the package size is smaller

(Source: onsemi)

The NCN26010 and development hardware are available now through onsemi sales support and authorized distributors. Onsemi is exhibiting at embedded world, June 21-23, in Hall 4A, booth #260.