Microchip ENT-AN1224 User Manual
ENT-AN1224
User Guide
VSC8541 Evaluation Board
December 2018
VSC8541 Evaluation Board
Contents
1 Revision History ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Revision 1.0 ........................................................................................................................................ 1
2 Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 2
3 Key Features .................................................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Copper Port RJ45 Connections ........................................................................................................... 4
3.2 MAC Interface Connector ................................................................................................................... 4
3.2.1 RGMII Interface ....................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2.2 RMII Interface .......................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2.3 MII/GMII Interface (VSC8541 only) ......................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Reference Clock .................................................................................................................................. 5
3.4 Recovered Clock and Clockout ........................................................................................................... 5
3.5 Bootstrapping Option ......................................................................................................................... 5
3.6 LEDs .................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.7 MDINT, Fast Link Fail .......................................................................................................................... 6
3.8 Software Interface Microcontroller .................................................................................................... 6
3.9 Power Supply Options ........................................................................................................................ 6
3.9.1 Single 5.0 V Input for DUT and Other Components ................................................................................ 6
3.9.2 DUT Power Rails Isolated from non-DUT Power ..................................................................................... 6
3.9.3 External 5.0 V DC Supply ......................................................................................................................... 6
4 Quick Start ..................................................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Connecting the Power Supply ............................................................................................................ 7
4.2 Installing the PC Software .................................................................................................................. 7
4.3 Connecting the Board to the PC ......................................................................................................... 7
4.4 Board Initialization ............................................................................................................................. 8
4.4.1 MAC Interface Reconfiguration ............................................................................................................... 8
4.4.2 Copper Media Interface (Auto-negotiation Enabled) .............................................................................. 9
4.5 Useful Test Features ........................................................................................................................... 9
4.5.1 Ethernet Packet Generator ..................................................................................................................... 9
4.5.2 Copper PHY Error Counters ..................................................................................................................... 9
4.5.3 Near-End Loopback ................................................................................................................................. 9
4.5.4 Far-End Loopback .................................................................................................................................. 10
4.5.5 Transmitter Test Mode .......................................................................................................................... 10
VPPD-04410 ENT-AN1224 User Guide Revision 1.0
VSC8541 Evaluation Board
1 Revision History
The revision history describes the changes that were implemented in the document. The changes are
listed by revision, starting with the most current publication.
1.1 Revision 1.0
Revision 1.0 was the first publication of this document.
VPPD-04410 ENT-AN1224 User Guide Revision 1.0 1
VSC8541 Evaluation Board
2 Overview
The VSC8541 and VSC8531 devices are low-power, small form-factor Gigabit Ethernet PHYs. They
feature integrated, line-side termination to conserve board space, lower EMI, and improve system
performance. Additionally, integrated RGMII timing compensation eliminates the need for on-board
delay lines. The devices support the industry's widest range of LVCMOS levels for a parallel MAC
interface. They also optimize power consumption in all link operating speeds and feature Wake-on-LAN
power management using magic packets.
This document describes the architecture and usage of the VSC8541 Evaluation Board (VSC8541EV).
The evaluation board provides a way to evaluate the VSC8541 and VSC8531 devices in multiple
configurations. Two RJ-45 connectors are provided for the copper media interface from each device. The
MAC interface is exposed through 0.1 inch pin-headers, J206, J202, and J203. For standalone access to
all device features, an external microcontroller is used to configure both the VSC8541 and the VSC8531
through the MDIO bus. The graphical user interface (GUI) enables the user to read and write device
registers.
Figure 1 • VSC8541EV—Top View
Figure 2 • VSC8541EV—Bottom View
VPPD-04410 ENT-AN1224 User Guide Revision 1.0 2
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