As factories, process plants, and robotics platforms become increasingly intelligent and interconnected, the demand for stable, low-latency data links has pushed Ethernet deeper into embedded systems. However, since designing Ethernet connectivity into industrial chips comes with its technical and logistical hurdles, engineers may face challenges when implementing Ethernet in industrial designs.
Below are three key challenges and how a silicon-proven Ethernet PHY IP can simplify the path to production.
Despite the rise of high-speed protocols and real-time fieldbus alternatives like EtherCAT, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet remains a dependable choice for many control, monitoring, and edge computing applications.
Challenge 1: Harsh Environments Demand Robust, Mature Solutions
While high-speed Gigabit Ethernet garners attention in enterprise and cloud contexts, the industrial world prioritizes reliability over raw bandwidth. In factory settings where electromagnetic interference (EMI), temperature swings, and long cable runs are the norm, 10/100 Ethernet is often preferred for its proven robustness and low power.
For these applications, choosing a PHY IP that has already been silicon-proven under rigorous electrical, timing, and compliance conditions is critical. For instance, Key ASIC’s Ethernet PHY (KA13ETHB33) supports both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX, and is designed with built-in MDI/MDIX crossover capability, auto-negotiation, and loopback modes — all features that reduce system complexity while maintaining interoperability and long-term performance.
Challenge 2: Board Space and Power Are Limited — Especially at the Edge
As more intelligence moves to the edge of industrial networks — whether in distributed control nodes, motor drivers, or smart sensors — silicon area and power budgets are increasingly constrained. This makes integration and optimization at the IP level vital.
A compact 10/100 Ethernet PHY IP with minimal external component requirements helps reduce BOM cost, board size, and power draw. Key ASIC’s Ethernet PHY (KA13ETHB33), for example, integrates key analog and digital blocks such as the MLT-3 encoder, Manchester encoder/decoder, adaptive equalizer, and baseline wander correction, all in a power-optimized layout. The IP’s support for MII interface also ensures compatibility with a wide range of MAC controllers and microcontrollers, streamlining system integration.
Challenge 3: Certification and Compliance Can Delay Time-to-Market
Meeting the IEEE 802.3u specification for Fast Ethernet isn’t just a design requirement — it’s a certification barrier. Engineers often underestimate the effort needed to validate PHY behavior across process corners, voltages, and temperatures (PVT), or to ensure conformance with line jitter and eye diagram standards.
Here, using a silicon-proven PHY IP significantly reduces design risk. The Ethernet PHY (KA13ETHB33) from Key ASIC has been validated and includes built-in self-test modes and loopback support to accelerate bring-up and validation. For customers unfamiliar with Ethernet PHY integration, having a verified IP module reduces NRE effort and eliminates costly re-spins.
Why 10/100 Ethernet Still Matters
Despite the emergence of industrial Ethernet variants like EtherCAT, Profinet, or TSN, many control and monitoring systems — especially in brownfield deployments — still depend on legacy 10/100 infrastructure. Applications such as:
Those can often be enhanced with a cost-effective, power-efficient Ethernet PHY instead of over-engineered alternatives.
Even newer designs benefit from combining proven IPs like Key ASIC’s Ethernet PHY (KA13ETHB33) with higher-level fieldbus stacks or middleware, enabling flexible designs that scale across product lines.
Ethernet IP Still Drives Value in Industrial Designs
In a sector that prizes longevity, stability, and proven performance, not every application needs cutting-edge data rates. What many engineers need is a robust, well-supported Ethernet PHY that meets their project’s environmental, power, and interoperability requirements — without increasing complexity.
Key ASIC’s 10/100 Ethernet PHY IP (KA13ETHB33) offers a practical solution for such needs, with a focus on reliability, integration ease, and PVT robustness. For engineering teams seeking to build Ethernet connectivity into industrial automation ICs — whether via ASIC or SoC — this IP provides a ready path to production without sacrificing design flexibility.
【About Key ASIC】
Key ASIC, listed on Bursa Malaysia (0143), is one of the world’s leading turnkey ASIC design service companies, offering comprehensive support from design to chip production.
As a foundry-independent company, we collaborate with top-tier foundries worldwide, providing unparalleled flexibility and expertise to meet our customers’ diverse needs.
Key ASIC is here to provide the best partnership for your ASIC business.
Please feel free to contact us via email: info@keyasic.com
