Author Topic: External 10Gb/s 25Gb/s ethernet phys?  (Read 1296 times)

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Offline nctnicoTopic starter

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External 10Gb/s 25Gb/s ethernet phys?
« on: January 02, 2020, 10:15:53 am »
I'm doing some research on supporting 10Gb/s and 25Gb/s links on an FPGA. Especially 25Gb/s becomes very expensive so I'm thinking about using an external which interfaces between an SFP port and the FPGA. Is anyone aware of suitable phys for this purpose? I already looked a bit around on Marvell's and Broadcom's websites but didn't manage to spot a device which seems suitable.
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Offline Rerouter

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Re: External 10Gb/s 25Gb/s ethernet phys?
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2020, 10:25:19 am »
I have limited knowledge but can I ask what about marvell and broadcom make them unsuitable,
e.g looks like marvelss meet what your asking for https://www.marvell.com/transceivers/alaska-x-gbe/
There is also microsemi https://www.microsemi.com/product-directory/10g-ethernet-phys/3924-vsc8491#overview

There is lots of discussion of options for this kind of stuff on the xilinx forums,

There are modules that are meant to be fairly plug and play https://www.xilinx.com/products/boards-and-kits/1-3y8uy5.html

There are other forums discussing that you can use the marvel chips with only there public datasheets, so I assume the NDA crap is what has you on edge?
 

Offline nctnicoTopic starter

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Re: External 10Gb/s 25Gb/s ethernet phys?
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2020, 10:35:07 am »
Thanks for your input! It is not that I want to avoid Marvell but NDA is a PITA indeed and I rather avoid that. Broadcom seems more like a challenge to get datasheets from especially when the volumes aren't that high. I didn't look at Microsemi yet and didn't check the Xilinx fora as well so those are good pointers.
There are small lies, big lies and then there is what is on the screen of your oscilloscope.
 

Online asmi

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Re: External 10Gb/s 25Gb/s ethernet phys?
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2020, 01:20:20 pm »
10G is directly supported by Kintex transceivers (TRAP ALERT - watch out for right package/speed grade combination!).
On a PHY side, take a look at VSC8491 chip from Microsemi, or VSC8489 for dual-10G PHY. Hint - since Microsemi has been acquired by Microchip, search for that chip on Microchip's site instead of Microsemi's one - this way you can download full datasheets without any of Microsemi's registration crap.
 
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