Microchip Intros Optical Ethernet PHY Transceivers with PTP and MACsec

Microchip Technology launched a new portfolio of Optical Ethernet PHY transceivers supporting speeds up to 25 Gbps and offering integrated IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and Media Access Control Security (MACsec) encryption. The devices are designed to meet the growing demand for long-distance, high-reliability networking in industrial, telecom, and data center applications.

The new optical PHYs support link distances up to 10 km over single-mode fiber, enabling deterministic, sub-nanosecond (<1 ns) synchronization accuracy for time-sensitive applications such as industrial automation, robotics, and distributed communications systems. Hardware-based MACsec (IEEE 802.1AE) protection is implemented at the silicon level to defend against eavesdropping, spoofing, and man-in-the-middle attacks, ensuring data integrity across extended networks.

Microchip’s LAN826x (10 Gbps) and LAN802x/LAN804x (25 Gbps) series offer dual- and quad-port options, providing flexible scalability for network architects. The devices can be used with optical or Direct Attach Copper (DAC) media, simplifying migration from copper-based Ethernet while maintaining low latency and high reliability.

Product Specifications:

• Speeds: 1 Gbps to 25 Gbps

• Reach: Up to 10 km over single-mode fiber

• Timing: Sub-nanosecond (<1 ns) synchronization via IEEE 1588 PTP

• Security: MACsec (IEEE 802.1AE) hardware-based encryption

• Temperature: Extended temperature support for industrial and field environments

• Latency: Optimized for deterministic, low-latency operation

• Ports: Dual-port and quad-port variants

Product Variants:

10 Gbps (LAN826x Family)

• LAN8262-V/3HW – Dual-port, MACsec

• LAN8263-V/3HW – Dual-port, PTP

• LAN8264-V/3HW – Dual-port, PTP + MACsec

• LAN8267-V/3HW – Quad-port, PTP

• LAN8268-V/3HW – Quad-port, PTP + MACsec

25 Gbps (LAN802x / LAN804x Family)

• LAN8022-V/3HW – Dual-port, MACsec

• LAN8023-V/3HW – Dual-port, PTP

• LAN8024-V/3HW – Dual-port, PTP + MACsec

• LAN8042-V/3HW – Quad-port, MACsec

• LAN8043-V/3HW – Quad-port, PTP

• LAN8044-V/3HW – Quad-port, PTP + MACsec

Development Tools:

• LAN8044 Evaluation Kit (EA00J09A)

• LAN8044 EDSX Daughter Card (EV57U68A)

• EVB-VSC7558TSN EDSX (UNG8415)

“Design engineers are looking for solutions that simplify complex networking systems,” said Charlie Forni, corporate vice president of Microchip’s Networking and Connectivity Solutions business. “By integrating PTP and MACsec, our transceivers let customers add secure, deterministic networking without redesigning core systems.”

🌐 Analysis: Microchip’s launch extends its Ethernet leadership into long-reach optical domains where precision timing and data protection are becoming critical — notably for factory automation, 5G backhaul, and edge computing. The inclusion of PTP and MACsec in a single silicon package underscores a broader industry trend toward secure, time-synchronized networking at the physical layer, complementing similar moves by Broadcom, Marvell, and Intel in time-sensitive networking (TSN) and industrial IoT applications.