AN2248
APPLIC ATION NOT E
Designing with the STMUX1000L Ethernet Gigabit LAN Switch
Introduction
The STMUX1000L is an 8- to 16-bit bi-directional Multiplexer/Demultiplexer. It is designed f or appl ications
that require signal routing at 10/10 0/1000 Megabit Ether net speeds. The device integrates three Single
Pole Dual Throw (SPDT) Channels for LED support and is available in two different packages, the
TSSOP56 and QFN56.
This application note highlights various applications into which the STMUX1000L Gigabit LAN Switch can
be designed, such as PC Notebooks and do cking stations (see
several electrical characteristics impact high performance data transfer, including
■ low noise between signals,
■ low R
■ low C
, and
ON
and C
on
capacitance.
off
Additionally, the superior performance of the STMUX1000L is illustrated when it is compared to a
competitor’s device.
Figure 1
). These are applications where
Figure 1. Typical Docking Station/Notebook Connections
Docking Station
Docking Connector
SEL
MDI [1] +
10/100/1000
Base-T
MAC & PHY
MDI [1] –
MDI [4] +
MDI [4] –
STMUX1000L
LAN Switch
MDI [1] +
MDI [1] –
MDI [4] +
MDI [4] –
CAT5
Interface
Notebook
CAT5
Interface
AI11868
Rev 1.0
October 2005 1/9
http:/www.st.com
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AN2248 - APPLICATION NOTE
Contents
1 Evolution of Gigabit Ethernet Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1 Typical Progression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 STMUX1000L Testing and Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 1. Testing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1 –3dB Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Figure 2. –3dB Bandwidth Test Bench. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Figure 3. –3dB Bandwidth Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Cross-talk Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Figure 4. Cross-talk Measurement Test Bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Figu r e 5 . T y p i c a l Cros s-ta lk Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3 Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Table 2. STMUX1000L Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4 Revision History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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AN2248 - APPLICATION NOTE 1 Evolution of Gigabit Ethernet Technology
1 Evolution of Gigabit Ethernet Technology
Gigabit Ethernet evolved from the original 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mb ps fast Ethernet
standards. At one time, many organizations believed that a 10Mbps connection would always
be adequate for the average business desktop user, and that 100Mbps would be needed only in
the “backbone” (the central network that links all of the Internet together).
Gigabit Ethernet technology increases the performance of the data transfer between servers
and desktops, thereby reducing the traffic flow in the congested areas.
It is also a good choice because it supports a high level of Quality of Service (QoS). QoS
methods are increasingly important for avoiding latency problems as voice, video, and data
share the same bandwidth for Next-Generation Networking (NGN) applications.
1.1 Typical Progression
Typical users of Gigabit Ethernet are the workgroups that usually need heavy bandwidth like
the engineering and R&D Depar t m ents, which not only use CAD, 3D modelling and
collaborative design, but also have more powerful workstations that can immediately take
advantage of a high-performance connection. Other specialized business categories like
medical imaging, graphic design or advertising production will also follow this new standard.
The transition to Gigabit Ethernet speeds and networ ks will happen in several phases which
are summarized as follows:
● Phase 1
High-performance Gigabit switches are used to aggregate backbone traffic.
● Phase 2
Gigabit Ethernet is switched and routed at the network backbone with switch-to-switch
connections.
● Phase 3
Greater server-to-switch bandwidth is deployed using a gigabit switch to support Gigabit
Ethernet network adapter cards, boosting ser ver connections to 1000Mbps.
● Phase 4
All servers have at least one Gigabit connection, and Gigabit becomes the standard for the
highest-demand desktops and workgroups.
● Phase 5
As PCs are replaced due to normal attrition, 10/100/1000 Mbp s network interfaces are
specified to replace 10/100Mbps connections.
● Phase 6
Servers are scaled to multi-Gigabit speeds. Older switches are replaced with Gigabit
switches to take Gigabit down to the desktop. Gigabit Ethernet becomes standard for
virtually all desktops.
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