Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) introduced a new family of Gigabit Ethernet switches designed to support time-sensitive networking and redundancy features critical for industrial applications.
The LAN9645xF and LAN9645xS switches, available in 5-, 7-, and 9-port configurations, provide flexible options for equipment makers requiring reliable high-speed communication. Up to five integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T physical layer devices (PHYs) are built into the chips, which can operate as unmanaged stand-alone switches or in managed mode with Linux Distributed Switch Architecture support.
The LAN9645xF variant incorporates advanced capabilities such as Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and Audio Video Bridging (AVB), as well as hardware-assisted redundancy compliant with IEC 62439-3 standards. These features support protocols like Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) and High-availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR), enabling continuous operation without packet loss during network faults. The LAN9645xS version, positioned as a lower-cost option, supports standard Ethernet switching and limited Precision Time Protocol (PTP) functionality for applications not requiring advanced fault tolerance.
“Our LAN9645x F/S devices help our customers lower their system costs while implementing advanced TSN and redundancy features by combining many features into a single solution,” said Charlie Forni, corporate vice president of Microchip’s networking and communications business unit.
Microchip said the switches are aimed at industrial Ethernet systems as well as markets including aerospace, defense, data centers and sustainability-focused infrastructure. The devices are designed to integrate with the company’s ecosystem of microcontrollers, memory and timing solutions, offering customers a path to build scalable, resilient networking systems.
