KSZ8873MLL-AM

Introduction

The KSZ8873MLL-AM is a single-chip, fully integrated IEEE 802.3 compliant Enhanced Media Access Controller. It integrates a Direct Memory Access (DMA) engine and non-blocking media access structure for optimal bandwidth efficiency. This device provides three independent ports to transmit and receive data, complete with control functions such as MAC, full-duplex mode of operation, and on-chip buffers for data and control message. The standard device supports 10/100 Base-T Ethernet auto-negotiation and has the flexibility to select either MII, GMII, or TBI interface with a compliant system. The device provides port-based VLAN support and supports features required for next generation switch such as IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging, Port-based VLAN, QoS classification, and QoS flow control.

Application Field

The KSZ8873MLL-AM is an ideal solution for Layer2 plus plus unmanaged and managed switches, home gateway, set top boxes, and backbone switches. This device provides on-chip support of 10BASE-T, Fast Ethernet and EEE (Energy Efficient Ethernet) as well as enhanced QoS, port-based rate limiting, storm control and traffic management functions. Its lower power consumption makes it ideal for use in green electronics.

Working Principle

The KSZ8873MLL-AM is designed to support IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standards. This device incorporates a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet media access control (MAC) module along with a Direct Memory Access (DMA) engine. It provides three independent, full-duplex ports on a single chip to transmit/ receive data. The device also provides 128KB of integrated memory that enables efficient packet buffering and data transmission. The on-chip hardware and software features support features for efficient packet processing and congestion control.

The integrated DMA engine provides optimized data transfer between the 8-bit External Memory Interface and the MAC Engine. The external memory allows packets to reside in memory so that the system can retrieve the Ethernet frames and process it. The device also has built-in 32-bit CRC (cyclic redundancy check) function to verify the integrity of Ethernet frames. It also provides an on-chip mailbox register for signaling between the host processor and the device.

The KSZ8873MLL-AM implements an enhanced media access control protocol which supports both full duplex and half duplex modes. The device is based on a non-blocking architecture and is capable of efficiently transferring data from one port to another. The device supports advanced Quality of Service (QoS) features such as port-based rate limiting, traffic management, and congestion control for efficient data transfer. The device also provides support for IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging, VLAN-aware QoS classification, and QoS flow control for next generation switch technologies.

Conclusion

The KSZ8873MLL-AM is a single-chip, fully integrated IEEE 802.3 compliant Enhanced Media Access Controller. It offers an ideal interface solution for Layer2 plus plus unmanaged and managed switches, home gateway, set top boxes, and backbone switches. It provides on-chip support of 10BASE-T, Fast Ethernet and EEE (Energy Efficient Ethernet) as well as enhanced QoS, port-based rate limiting, storm control and traffic management functions. It features a non-blocking architecture for optimal performance and efficient data transfer with advanced Quality of Service (QoS) features such as port-based rate limiting, traffic management, and congestion control.