AN2190

Transformerless Applications of Microchip’s

Ethernet Devices
Author: Kansal Mariam Banu Shaick Ibrahim
Microchip Technology Inc.

INTRODUCTION
Applications which are sensitive to cost, utilize short distance PCB connections, or even extreme environmental condi-
tions like temperature may benefit from operation without the use of a transformer. A magnetic-less design could be
applied anywhere when two known fixed Ethernet devices need to communicate over a known distance.
This application note provides guidelines for connecting two Microchip Ethernet devices together without a transformer.

Note: For information on transformerless operation of the LAN9252, refer to the Transformerless Applications of
Microchip’s LAN9252 EtherCAT® Controller application note. For information on transformerless operation
of the LAN9250/LAN935x, refer to the Transformerless Applications of Microchip’s LAN9250/LAN935x
Ethernet Controller and Switches application note.

TYPICAL TRANSFORMER ISOLATION

To appreciate non-typical transformerless application development constraints, it is first necessary to understand phys-
ical network services and signaling, and the functions that transformers provide in typical applications.
A typical network configuration consists of a point to point connection, through a cable, between two physical layer
devices. Figure 1 shows a schematic for a typical transformer interface. The transmitter and the receiver of each node
are DC isolated from the network cable by 1:1 transformers.

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FIGURE 1: TYPICAL TRANSFORMER ISOLATION

TRANSFORMERLESS CONFIGURATION
To meet the operational requirements of non-typical transformerless network applications, physical layer component
transmit and receive separation and biasing as well as high voltage DC isolation to meet the specific safety requirements
of the application must be implemented.
For non-typical applications, the isolation that the transformer provides in typical configurations can be realized using
non-polarized capacitors.
A typical network configuration provides the services of Auto-Negotiation, Auto-MDIX, 10 Mb/s operations and 100 Mb/
s operations. Auto-Negotiation and Auto-MDIX must be disabled in a transformerless application because both ends of
the link are under local control. The system designer can configure a specific speed and duplex on both devices to
ensure proper communication.
The IEEE 802.3–2008 specification requires the TX and RX lines to run in differential mode.The TXP and TXN lines
form a differential pair and need to be designed to 100Ω differential impedance for long distances and 50Ω differential
impedance for short distances. The RXP and RXN lines also form a differential pair and need to be designed to appro-
priate differential impedance targets.

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FIGURE 2: TYPICAL TRANSFORMERLESS ISOLATION - CONNECTING TWO PHYS

TOGETHER

AUTO-NEGOTIATION
The purpose of the Auto-Negotiation function is to automatically configure the transceiver to the optimum link parame-
ters based on the capabilities of its link partner. Auto-Negotiation is a mechanism for exchanging configuration informa-
tion between two link-partners and automatically selecting the highest performance mode of operation supported by
both sides. In transformerless applications, Auto-Negotiation must be disabled in the Microchip device.

Disabling Auto-Negotiation via Registers

Auto-Negotiation can be disabled by clearing the Auto-Negotiation Enable (PHY_AN) bit of the PHY Basic Control Reg-
ister (PHY_BASIC_CONTROL). The transceiver will then force its speed of operation to reflect the information in the
PHY Basic Control Register (PHY_BASIC_CONTROL) Speed Select LSB (PHY_SPEED_SEL_LSB) and Duplex Mode
(PHY_DUPLEX) bits. These bits are ignored when Auto-Negotiation is enabled. Refer to the specific Microchip device
datasheet for additional information.

PHY Basic Control Register (PHY_BASIC_CONTROL)

Bits Description Type

Speed Select LSB (PHY_SPEED_SEL_LSB)
This bit is used to set the speed of the PHY when the Auto-Negotiation Enable (PHY_AN) bit is disabled.
0: 10 Mbps
13 R/W
1: 100 Mbps

Auto-Negotiation Enable (PHY_AN)

This bit enables/disables Auto-Negotiation. When enabled, the Speed LSB (PHY_SPEED_SEL_LSB) and Duplex
Mode (PHY_DUPLEX) are overridden.
12 R/W
0: Auto-Negotiation disabled
1: Auto-Negotiation enabled

Duplex Mode (PHY_DUPLEX)

This bit is used to set the duplex when the Auto-Negotiation Enable (PHY_AN) bit is disabled.
8 0: Half Duplex R/W
1: Full Duplex

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AN2190
HP AUTO-MDIX
HP Auto-MDIX facilitates the use of CAT-3 (10BASE-T) or CAT-5 (100BASE-TX) media UTP interconnect cable without
consideration of the interface wiring scheme. If a user plugs in either a direct connect LAN cable or a cross-over patch
cable, the transceiver is capable of configuring the TXPx/TXNx and RXPx/RXNx twisted pair pins for correct transceiver
operation.
The internal logic of the device detects the TX and RX pins of the connecting device. Since the RX and TX line pairs
are interchangeable, special PCB design considerations are needed to accommodate the symmetrical magnetics and
termination of an Auto-MDIX design. For transformerless applications, it is recommended to disable HP Auto-MDIX.
Refer to the specific Microchip device datasheet for additional information.

Note: The HP Auto-MDIX feature may be useful if the TX and RX lines are accidentally swapped in the transfor-
merless application.

PHYSICAL CONNECTION
The transmitter output is designed to sink current into a transformer. When the transformer is not used, load resistors
must be connected at each device to develop the output voltage as shown in Figure 3.

Note: RX pins are configured with 50 Ohm to the supply for AMDIX operation where they may be configured as
TX pins. If AMDIX is disabled and RX pins are for receive mode only, then the external termination can be
tied any way possible as long as there is 100 Ohm differential across the pins.

FIGURE 3: LOAD RESISTORS IN TRANSFORMERLESS APPLICATION

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DISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
Microchip recommends that both Ethernet devices have terminating resistors on each analog pin. Proper lab validation
should be performed to provide optimum resistor placement using the configuration shown in Figure 4.
Cable connections over very long distances without transformers are not encouraged due to the risk for potential high
voltage build-up and noise effects.

FIGURE 4: EXAMPLE CONNECTION

3.3V 3.3V

50  50  50 50  50  50  50 50  LAN9XXXX

LAN9XXXX
0.01 ‐ 0.1uF
TXP RXP

0.01 ‐ 0.1uF
TXN RXN

0.01 ‐ 0.1uF
RXP TXP

0.01 ‐ 0.1uF
RXN TXN

0.1uF 0.1uF

Note: 50 Ohm termination at each device with no AC coupling capacitance can be used for PCB traces greater
than 12”, assuming both Microchip devices are sharing the same power domain within the same PCB.

Note: AC coupling capacitors in the range of 0.1uF to 0.01uF are recommended for any board to board commu-
nications using different power domains. Due to the possible shift in power/ground domains between
boards, the coupling capacitor is required to minimize DC balancing issues.

SUMMARY
Microchip Ethernet devices may be configured in non-typical transformerless network applications to transmit and
receive reliably. Recommendations include the use of non-polarized capacitors for DC isolation from a network cable,
with a minimum DC isolation rating which suits the individual application.

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AN2190
APPENDIX A: APPLICATION NOTE REVISION HISTORY

TABLE A-1: REVISION HISTORY

Revision Level & Date Section/Figure/Entry Correction

DS00002190A (07-06-16) All Initial release.

DS00002190A-page 6  2015 - 2016 Microchip Technology Inc.

 AN2190

Note the following details of the code protection feature on Microchip devices:
• Microchip products meet the specification contained in their particular Microchip Data Sheet.

• Microchip believes that its family of products is one of the most secure families of its kind on the market today, when used in the
intended manner and under normal conditions.

• There are dishonest and possibly illegal methods used to breach the code protection feature. All of these methods, to our
knowledge, require using the Microchip products in a manner outside the operating specifications contained in Microchip’s Data
Sheets. Most likely, the person doing so is engaged in theft of intellectual property.

• Microchip is willing to work with the customer who is concerned about the integrity of their code.

• Neither Microchip nor any other semiconductor manufacturer can guarantee the security of their code. Code protection does not
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Code protection is constantly evolving. We at Microchip are committed to continuously improving the code protection features of our
products. Attempts to break Microchip’s code protection feature may be a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. If such acts
allow unauthorized access to your software or other copyrighted work, you may have a right to sue for relief under that Act.

Information contained in this publication regarding device applications and the like is provided only for your convenience and may be super-
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© 2015 - 2016, Microchip Technology Incorporated, Printed in the U.S.A., All Rights Reserved.
ISBN: 9781522407195

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