Date: 11/10/2011

100Mbps automotive Ethernet PHY chip from Broadcom for car networking

Broadcom Corporation has announced a new physical layer transceiver (PHY) BroadR-Reach BCM89810 PHY for automotive networks, which provides the lowest cost cabling solution for 100 Mbps Ethernet connectivity over unshielded single twisted pair wiring. BCM89810 is optimized for multiple in-car applications and supports a variety of connectivity options for external devices.

Broadcom explains that performing all of the physical layer functions for encoded Ethernet packets over unshielded copper wire, the BCM89810 provides consistent and reliable operation over single-pair and twisted-pair cabling used in vehicles. The BCM89810 is fully compliant with RGMII and MII interface specifications, providing compatibility with other Ethernet devices within the vehicle.

The other features of this chip includes it is designed to meet stringent automotive production requirements (AEC-Q100, EMC, automotive temperature grades)
Enables precise time synchronization of networks through support of IEEE standards 1588 v2 and 802.1AS
Low EMI emissions - high immunity

Availability: Devices are sampling now with production volume slated for the first half of 2012.