Application Note 120

Capacitive Coupling Ethernet Transceivers

without Using Transformers
Micrel 10/100 Ethernet Products

General Description
It is a common practice to capacitively couple Ethernet VDD VDD
transceivers (PHYs) together without the use of a transformer to
reduce both the BOM cost and PCB area. This application note
describes methods for capacitive coupling of Micrel’s 10/100
Ethernet devices.

Micrel Devices for Capacitive Coupling

KS8695X CENTAUR – Integrated Multi-port Gateway
Solution
KS8695P/PX CENTAUR – Integrated Multi-port PCI Figure 1. Capacitive Coupling Circuit Diagram for Receivers
Gateway Solution with Internal DC Bias
KS8721B/BT Single Port 10/100 PHY with Auto MDI/MDI-X Receive Termination for Devices without Internal DC
Crossover Bias
KS8721BL/SL 3.3V Single Power Supply 10/100 PHY with Figure 2 shows the circuit diagram for capacitive coupling to a
Auto MDI/MDI-X Crossover receiver without internal DC biasing. In this illustration, the
50Ω pull-up resistors R3 and R4 on the receiver inputs provide
KS8993 3-Port 10/100 Unmanaged Switch the necessary DC offset. These 50Ω resistors also provide the
KS8993F 3-Port 10/100 Managed/Unmanaged input termination.
Switch/Media Converter with TS-1000 OAM This method is applicable to the KS8695X, KS8695P/PX,
KS8721B/BT, KS8721BL/SL, KS8993M/F, KS8995M/X, and
KS8993M 3-Port 10/100 Managed/Unmanaged Switch KS8995MA/XA, none of which provide internal DC biasing.
KS8995M/X 5-Port 10/100 Managed/Unmanaged Switch VDD VDD

KS8995MA/XA 5-Port 10/100 Managed/Unmanaged Switch

KS8997 8-Port 10/100 Unmanaged Switch
KS8999 9-Port 10/100 Unmanaged Switch

Methods for Capacitive Coupling

The method for capacitive coupling depends upon whether or not
the receiver circuit provides an internal DC bias offset.
Transmit Termination Figure 2. Capacitive Coupling Circuit Diagram for Receivers
without Internal DC Bias
Figures 1 and 2 show the capacitive coupling for transmit-side
termination. In this method, the 50Ω pull-up resistors R1 and R2
are pulled up to analog VDD. All Micrel devices listed in this Transmit /Receive Termination for KS8997 and KS8999
application note require this output termination, except for the
KS8993 device. Figure 2 shows the capacitively coupling between two KS8997 or
KS8999 devices. It is necessary to choose pull up resistor values
For the KS8993, R1 and R2 are tied together, but not to VDD. The (R1, R2, R3, and R4) that will provide the DC offset for the
TXPx and TXMx differential signals are each terminated with transmit differential pair Txdc level greater than 1.3V in order to
50Ω pull-ups to the port’s VREFx pin. maintain a reasonable and balanced swing. To accomplish this,
Receive Termination for Devices with Internal DC Bias the following values should be utilized:
Figure 1 shows the circuit diagram for capacitive coupling to a
receiver with internal DC biasing. The 50Ω pull-up resistors R3 VDD = 2.1V (typ)
and R4 are capacitively coupled via C3 to analog VDD, providing R1, R2, R3, R4 = 33 ohms
the correct receiver input termination. This method is applicable Txdc = 1.44V (VDD-20mA x 33ohms)
to the KS8993, which provides internal DC biasing.
Swing = +/- 330mV (20mA x 33/2 ohms)
or

Micrel Inc. • 2180 Fortune Drive • San Jose, CA 95131 • USA • tel +1 (408) 944-0800 • fax + 1 (408) 474-1000 • http://www.micrel.com
January 2006 M9999-011606
 Application Note 120 Micrel

VDD = 2.3V(max) DC offset for the receive differential pair will still be approximately
R1, R2, R3, R4 = 40 ohms 2.5V.
Txdc = 1.5V (VDD-20mA x 40ohms) 10BASE-T Applications
Swing = +/- 400mV (20mA x 40/2 ohms) If 10BASE-T configuration is required, the given methods for
Using these values will provide a reliable capacitively coupled capacitive coupling are valid only if the 10BASE-T transmitter
circuit between two KS8997 or KS8999 devices over a short circuit design is voltage driven. The KS8695X, KS8695P/PX,
distance. KS8993, KS8993M/F, and KS8995MA/XA all have voltage drive
10BASE-T transmitter circuitry.
Recommended Link Configuration
When using the standard 50Ω termination, current drive
Configure both link partners as follows: 10BASE-T transmitters are unable to provide a full 2.3V output
Force Mode (auto-negotiation disabled) amplitude swing. For example, with a 50mA output drive and two
Auto MDI/MDI-X (disabled) 50Ω pull-up resistors (R1, R2), the voltage drop is 2.5V (0.05A x
50Ω = 2.5V); thus, the signal is fully attenuated. To increase the
100BASE-TX
output voltage swing at the receiver, it is recommended to
The only exception to this recommendation is the KS8997. The implement the following resistor changes:
KS8997 does not support force mode and auto-negotiation must
R1, R2 = 15Ω
be performed. Auto-negotiation has been verified under these
circumstances. R3, R4 = 75Ω
The designer can choose either half-duplex or full-duplex mode. Using this method provides a voltage swing greater than the
minimum 400mV receiver squelch threshold. The consequence
100BASE-TX Applications of altering the pull-up resistor values to provide a minimum output
For 100BASE-TX, the transmit drivers are current-driven for all voltage swing is a slight mismatch in the termination impedance.
Signal traces should be kept to a minimum length to avoid poor
the Micrel devices discussed in this application note.
signal integrity. The KS8721B/BT, KS8721BL/SL, KS8995M/X,
The transmit side drives at 20mA single-ended. If the supply KS8997, and KS8999 all have current drive 10BASE-T
voltage for the 100BASE-TX transmitters and the transmit side transmitter circuitry.
pull-up resistors (R1, R2) is 2.5V, the DC offset for the transmit For additional information, contact your local Micrel Field
differential pair is 1.5V (2.5V - (0.02A x 50Ω) = 1.5V). Application Engineer or salesperson.
On the receive side, the receive differential pair has a very high
input impedance. If the supply voltage for the 100BASE-TX
receivers and receive-side pull-up resistors (R3, R4) is 2.5V, the

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The information furnished by Micrel in this data sheet is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by Micrel for its
use. Micrel reserves the right to change circuitry and specifications at any time without notification to the customer.

Micrel Products are not designed or authorized for use as components in life support appliances, devices or systems where malfunction of a product
can reasonably be expected to result in personal injury. Life support devices or systems are devices or systems that (a) are intended for surgical implant
into the body or (b) support or sustain life, and whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to result in a significant injury to the user. A
Purchaser’s use or sale of Micrel Products for use in life support appliances, devices or systems is a Purchaser’s own risk and Purchaser agrees to fully
indemnify Micrel for any damages resulting from such use or sale.

© 2004 Micrel, Incorporated.

January 2006 2 M9999-011606