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About
The VSC7460YIH by Microchip Technology is a high-performance, 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch IC designed for carrier-grade and industrial networking applications. Part of the Jaguar™-1 (SparX®-5e) series, it integrates 24x 1Gbps ports and 4x 10G uplinks, supporting advanced features like VLAN, QoS, and MACsec for secure, high-bandwidth data transmission. Notably, the device is not recommended for new designs, suggesting Microchip may have newer alternatives available.
Packaged in a 672-ball FCBGA (27x27mm), the VSC7460YIH is optimized for surface-mount assembly and operates across an industrial temperature range (-40°C to +125°C), making it suitable for harsh environments like factory automation or telecom infrastructure. Its 1.2V core voltage and 3.3V I/O ensure efficient power management, while integrated SerDes lanes enable 6.25Gbps throughput for 10G interfaces.
Targeted at telecom and enterprise networks, the IC supports Ethernet, UART, and SONET/SDH protocols, bridging legacy and modern broadband systems. Applications include metro aggregation, 5G backhaul, and data center switches, leveraging its traffic-shaping and low-latency capabilities. However, the lack of detailed power metrics in public datasheets necessitates direct consultation with Microchip for thermal and electrical design.
While the VSC7460YIH offers robust functionality, designers should note its deprecated status and explore Microchip’s newer SparX® series for future-proof solutions. Reference designs and evaluation kits (e.g., VSC7460-EVAL) may still assist legacy deployments, but thorough testing is advised given the device’s phase-out status.
Key Features
witch Architecture & Performance
- 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch with integrated PHYs
- 4× 10G uplinks (6.25Gbps SerDes)
- 128Gbps non-blocking switching capacity
- Cut-through and store-and-forward modes
- Jumbo frame support (up to 12KB)
Protocol & Standards Compliance
- IEEE 802.3 (10/100/1000BASE-T)
- VLAN (802.1Q) with QoS prioritization
- MACsec (802.1AE) for encryption
- Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE, 802.3az)
- Precision Time Protocol (PTP, 1588v2)
Hardware & Integration
- 672-ball FCBGA package (27×27mm, 1.0mm pitch)
- 1.2V core voltage, 3.3V I/O
- DDR3/DDR4 memory interface
- Industrial temperature range (-40°C to +125°C)
- MSL3 moisture sensitivity rating
Traffic Management & Security
- ACLs (Access Control Lists)
- Traffic shaping & policing
- Storm control (broadcast/multicast/unicast)
- Port mirroring (SPAN/RSPAN)
- Secure boot & firmware validation
Software & Management
- Linux driver support (SwitchDev, DSA)
- Microchip SDK for configuration
- CLI, SNMP, and web-based management
- Firmware upgrade support
Applications
1. Industrial Ethernet & Factory Automation
- Smart manufacturing systems (Industry 4.0, IIoT)
- Process control & robotics (real-time communication)
- Harsh-environment networking (extended temp range: -40°C to +125°C)
- Machine vision & motion control (low-latency switching)
2. Telecommunications & 5G Infrastructure
- Mobile backhaul & fronthaul (5G small cell aggregation)
- Metro Ethernet & carrier switches (VLAN, QoS, MACsec support)
- Fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) & broadband access (GPON, XGS-PON uplinks)
- Legacy SONET/SDH migration (hybrid Ethernet/TDM networks)
3. Enterprise & Data Center Networking
- Top-of-Rack (ToR) switches (high-density 1G/10G aggregation)
- Network security appliances (MACsec encryption, ACLs)
- Energy-efficient data centers (EEE support for power savings)
- Virtualized networks (SDN/NFV-ready with SwitchDev support)
4. Transportation & Smart Grid
- Railway & aviation communications (M12 connectors, ruggedized designs)
- Traffic management & ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems)
- Smart grid & substation automation (IEEE 1588 PTP for time sync)
- Oil & gas field networks (explosion-proof enclosures)
Advantages
Performance Advantages
- High-density integration reduces board space requirements by combining 24+4 ports in a single chip
- Low-latency forwarding (<1μs) enables real-time industrial automation applications
- Non-blocking architecture ensures full wire-speed performance across all ports
- Flexible port configurations allow optimal bandwidth allocation for diverse network topologies
Reliability Advantages
- Industrial temperature tolerance (-40°C to +125°C) ensures operation in harsh environments
- Long product lifecycle typical of Microchip’s industrial-grade components
- Robust ESD protection (±2kV HBM) minimizes damage risk during handling
- High MTBF (>500k hours) reduces maintenance needs in critical infrastructure
Power Efficiency Advantages
- Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) compliance lowers power consumption during low traffic
- Optimized power architecture delivers high performance at 3.5W typical
- Voltage scaling support helps manage dynamic power requirements
Deployment Advantages
- Single-chip solution simplifies design vs. multi-chip alternatives
- Proven industrial pedigree with field-tested reliability
- Backward compatibility with legacy Ethernet standards (10/100Mbps)
- Smooth migration path from older SparX® switch designs
Security Advantages
- Hardware-accelerated MACsec provides line-rate encryption without CPU overhead
- Granular ACLs enable precise traffic control for security-critical applications
- Secure boot capability protects against firmware tampering
Software/Management Advantages
- Linux-native support accelerates development and reduces BOM costs
- Multi-management interfaces (CLI/SNMP/Web/REST) suit diverse IT environments
- Field-upgradable firmware extends product lifespan in the field
Cost Advantages
- Integrated PHYs eliminate external transceiver costs
- Reduced external component count lowers total system cost
- Microchip’s stable pricing benefits long-term industrial projects
Specifications
Category | Parameter | Specification |
---|---|---|
General | Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
Part Number | VSC7460YIH | |
Product Status | Not Recommended for New Designs (NRND) | |
Series | SparX®-5e (Jaguar™-1) Family | |
Package | 672-ball FCBGA (27×27mm body, 1.0mm pitch) | |
Performance | Switch Capacity | 128Gbps (non-blocking) |
Port Configuration | 24×10/100/1000BASE-T + 4×10G uplinks | |
Data Rates | 10/100/1000 Mbps (copper), 6.25Gbps (SerDes) | |
Switching Modes | Cut-through, Store-and-forward | |
Latency | <1μs (cut-through mode) | |
Protocols | Ethernet Standards | IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, 802.3z |
VLAN Support | 802.1Q (4K VLANs) | |
QoS | 8 priority queues, 802.1p/DSCP classification | |
Security | MACsec (802.1AE), ACLs | |
Timing | IEEE 1588v2 (PTP) | |
Hardware | Operating Voltage | Core: 1.2V ±5%, I/O: 3.3V ±10% |
Power Consumption | 3.5W typical (all ports active) | |
Temperature Range | -40°C to +125°C (operating), -65°C to +150°C (storage) | |
Environmental | MSL3, ±2kV ESD (HBM) | |
Interfaces | Memory | DDR3/DDR4 SDRAM |
Management | UART, I2C, MDIO, SPI | |
Debug | IEEE 1149.1 JTAG | |
Software | Management | CLI, SNMP, Web GUI, REST API |
OS Support | Linux (SwitchDev, DSA) | |
Firmware | Field-upgradable via SPI Flash | |
Compliance | Reliability | >500,000 hours MTBF |
Environmental | RoHS 6/6, Halogen-Free, REACH | |
Safety | UL/IEC 60950-1 | |
Applications | Primary Use Cases | Industrial Ethernet, 5G Backhaul, Data Center ToR |
Comparison with Similar Components
1. Microchip VSC7460YIH vs. Microchip VSC7442 (SparX-IV-52)
Parameter | VSC7460YIH (Jaguar-1) | VSC7442 (SparX-IV-52) | Key Differences |
---|---|---|---|
Port Configuration | 24×1G + 4×10G (6.25G SerDes) 4 | 52×1G (no 10G uplinks) 10 | VSC7460YIH supports 10G uplinks for carrier networks, while VSC7442 focuses on high-density 1G industrial switching. |
Switch Capacity | 128Gbps (non-blocking) 4 | 52Gbps 10 | 2.5× higher capacity in VSC7460YIH enables backbone applications. |
Protocol Support | MPLS-TP, PBB-TE, SyncE 4 | Layer 2/3 switching, VeriTime 10 | VSC7460YIH targets carrier Ethernet; VSC7442 optimizes factory automation. |
Temperature Range | -40°C to +125°C 48 | -40°C to +85°C 10 | VSC7460YIH suits harsher environments. |
2. Microchip VSC7460YIH vs. PM5319-NGI (SONET/SDH Interface)
Parameter | VSC7460YIH | PM5319-NGI | Key Differences |
---|---|---|---|
Function | Ethernet Switch (24×1G + 4×10G) 6 | SONET/SDH Interface 6 | VSC7460YIH is Ethernet-centric; PM5319-NGI bridges legacy optical networks. |
Package | 672-FCBGA (27×27mm) 6 | 196-CABGA (15×15mm) 6 | PM5319-NGI is smaller but lacks switching capability. |
Protocols | IEEE 802.3, MACsec 4 | SONET/SDH, OTN 6 | No overlap in use cases. |
3. Microchip VSC7460YIH vs. VSC8496YMJ (Microsemi)
Parameter | VSC7460YIH | VSC8496YMJ | Key Differences |
---|---|---|---|
Interface | UART, XAUI, SGMII 5 | Serial, SFI, XFI 5 | VSC8496YMJ supports optical interfaces (XFI/SFI). |
Port Density | 24×1G + 4×10G 4 | Not specified (Ethernet Switch) 5 | VSC7460YIH offers integrated PHYs. |
Target Market | Carrier Ethernet 4 | Telecom infrastructure 5 | Similar applications but different architectures. |
4. Cross-Manufacturer Comparison: VSC7460YIH vs. Broadcom BCM53134
Parameter | VSC7460YIH | BCM53134 | Key Differences |
---|---|---|---|
Security | MACsec (802.1AE), ACLs 4 | Basic ACLs, no MACsec 9 | VSC7460YIH provides hardware-accelerated encryption. |
Timing | VeriTime IEEE 1588v2 4 | Limited PTP support 9 | Critical for 5G synchronization in VSC7460YIH. |
Port Configuration | 24×1G + 4×10G 4 | 24×1G + 2×10G 9 | VSC7460YIH has more 10G uplinks. |
5. Microchip VSC7460YIH vs. Marvell 88E6393X (Prestera DX)
Parameter | VSC7460YIH | 88E6393X | Key Differences |
---|---|---|---|
Port Flexibility | Fixed 1G/10G 4 | 1G/2.5G/5G/10G 9 | 88E6393X supports multi-gigabit speeds. |
QoS | VCAP-II with SLA guarantees 4 | Advanced traffic management 9 | Marvell excels in enterprise QoS. |
Power Efficiency | ~3.5W 8 | ~2.8W 9 | 88E6393X is more power-efficient. |
Key Takeaways
- Carrier vs. Industrial:
- VSC7460YIH excels in carrier Ethernet (10G uplinks, SyncE) 46.
- VSC7442 and BCM53134 target industrial/enterprise markets 109.
- Legacy vs. Modern:
- PM5319-NGI bridges SONET/SDH 6, while VSC7460YIH is pure Ethernet.
- Security & Timing:
- VSC7460YIH’s MACsec and VeriTime outperform Broadcom/Marvell in telecom 49.
- Port Density:
- VSC7442 offers higher 1G density (52 ports) 10, but lacks 10G.
- Power vs. Performance:
- Marvell 88E6393X is more efficient, but VSC7460YIH has better timing precision 94.
Summary: Microchip VSC7460YIH vs. Competing Ethernet Switch ICs
The Microchip VSC7460YIH is a 24-port Gigabit + 4×10G industrial Ethernet switch IC designed for carrier-grade and industrial applications, featuring hardware-accelerated MACsec, IEEE 1588v2 timing, and a 128Gbps switching fabric. Below is a distilled comparison with key alternatives:
1. Key Strengths of VSC7460YIH
✅ Carrier-Grade Features
- 10G uplinks (6.25G SerDes) for metro aggregation/5G backhaul
- VeriTime IEEE 1588v2 for precise synchronization
- MPLS-TP/PBB-TE support for telecom networks
✅ Industrial Robustness
- -40°C to +125°C operation (harsher than VSC7442’s -40°C to +85°C)
- 672-FCBGA package with high ESD protection (±2kV HBM)
✅ Security
- MACsec (802.1AE) encryption vs. Broadcom BCM53134’s basic ACLs
2. Comparison Highlights
Competitor | Key Differentiator | Best For |
---|---|---|
VSC7442 | 52×1G ports (no 10G) | Factory automation |
BCM53134 | Lower cost, limited PTP | Enterprise switches |
Marvell 88E6393X | Multi-gigabit (2.5G/5G/10G), better QoS | Modern enterprise networks |
PM5319-NGI | SONET/SDH interface (non-Ethernet) | Legacy optical networks |
3. Limitations
❌ NRND status – Not recommended for new designs (Microchip suggests SparX-5e successors).
❌ No multi-gigabit support – Fixed 1G/10G ports (unlike Marvell’s 2.5G/5G).
❌ Higher power (~3.5W) vs. Marvell 88E6393X (~2.8W).
4. Recommendation
- For telecom/industrial: Use VSC7460YIH if timing/security are critical (check NRND alternatives).
- For enterprise: Prefer Marvell 88E6393X for multi-gigabit flexibility.
- For legacy SONET: PM5319-NGI remains niche.
Final Verdict: The VSC7460YIH excels in synchronization-sensitive, secure industrial/carrier networks but is being superseded by newer SparX-5e chips. Competitors lead in cost, multi-gigabit support, or power efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Information
- What is the VSC7460YIH?
- A 24-port Gigabit + 4x10G industrial Ethernet switch IC with integrated PHYs.
- Is the VSC7460YIH still recommended for new designs?
- No, it’s marked as NRND (Not Recommended for New Designs) by Microchip.
- What is the replacement part for VSC7460YIH?
- Microchip recommends newer SparX-5e family chips (e.g., VSC7546).
- What does “YIH” in the part number signify?
- Industrial temperature range (-40°C to +125°C) and FCBGA package.
- Is there an evaluation board available?
- Yes, the VSC7460-EVAL kit was available (check Microchip for current options).
Technical Specifications
- What is the switch capacity?
- 128Gbps non-blocking.
- Does it support Jumbo Frames?
- Yes, up to 12KB.
- What is the latency in cut-through mode?
- <1μs.
- Which memory interface does it use?
- External DDR3/DDR4 SDRAM.
- What power supply voltages are required?
- 1.2V (core) and 3.3V (I/O).
Protocol & Standards
- Which Ethernet standards are supported?
- IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, 802.3z.
- Does it support VLANs?
- Yes, 802.1Q (4K VLANs).
- Is Precision Time Protocol (PTP) supported?
- Yes, IEEE 1588v2 with VeriTime.
- Does it support Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE)?
- Yes, 802.3az compliant.
- Is MACsec encryption available?
- Yes, 802.1AE hardware-accelerated.
Hardware Design
- What is the package type?
- 672-ball FCBGA (27×27mm, 1.0mm pitch).
- What is the ball pitch?
- 1.0mm.
- Does it require a heatsink?
- Yes, for full-temperature operation.
- What is the typical power consumption?
- ~3.5W (all ports active).
- Is it RoHS compliant?
- Yes, RoHS 6/6.
Software & Configuration
- Which OSes are supported?
- Linux (SwitchDev/DSA drivers).
- How is it configured?
- Via CLI, SNMP, Web GUI, or REST API.
- Is there an SDK available?
- Yes, Microchip provides a proprietary SDK.
- Can firmware be upgraded in the field?
- Yes, via SPI Flash.
- Does it support OpenFlow/SDN?
- Limited support via SwitchDev (not native OpenFlow).
Applications
- What are typical use cases?
- Industrial automation, 5G backhaul, metro Ethernet.
- Is it suitable for automotive applications?
- No (industrial only; automotive requires AEC-Q100).
- Can it be used in PoE switches?
- No (requires external PoE controllers).
- Is it good for data center ToR switches?
- Limited to small-scale ToR (modern alternatives preferred).
- Does it support ring topologies?
- Yes, via Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP).
Troubleshooting
- Why is my SerDes link unstable?
- Check impedance matching and PCB layout (follow ANXXXX).
- How do I debug boot failures?
- Use JTAG or UART console.
- Why is power consumption higher than expected?
- Verify EEE settings and unused port shutdown.
- How to handle thermal issues?
- Ensure proper heatsink attachment and airflow.
- Why are ACLs not working?
- Check TCAM resource allocation in SDK.
Migration & Alternatives
- What’s the pin-compatible alternative?
- None (FCBGA-672 is unique to this family).
- How to migrate to SparX-5e?
- Redesign required (different package/pinout).
- Does Microchip provide migration guides?
- Yes, contact Microchip FAE for application notes.
- Which competitor parts are similar?
- Broadcom BCM53134, Marvell 88E6393X.
- Is there a cost-reduced version?
- No (industrial-grade chips are premium-priced).
Purchasing & Support
- Where can I buy samples?
- Through Microchip Direct or authorized distributors.
- Is there free technical support?
- Yes, via Microchip support portal.
- Are there known silicon errata?
- Check ESXXXX errata sheet for revision-specific issues.
- What’s the lead time for production units?
- Varies (contact us due to NRND status).
- Is there a hardware reference design?
- Yes, refer to Microchip ANXXXX.
Datasheet
VSC7460YIH Microchip Technology datasheet
VSC7460YIH Microchip Technology datasheet
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