Fujitsu Microelectronics' New 10/100 Fast Ethernet PCI MAC Provides On-chip CAM Address Recognition and Pause Flow Control.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 1998--Fujitsu Microelectronics, Inc. (FMI) today introduced a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Media Access Controller for advanced routers, hubs and bridges.

The device is designed with on-chip content addressable memory (CAM) for sophisticated address recognition and control, and support for IEEE 802.3x PAUSE flow control operation. The new MB86974 MAC includes transmit and receive blocks, control and status registers, and a direct connection to the PCI bus. The device includes the serial controller to access the MAC's 802.3 - compliant media independent interface (MII) and station-management interface. On-chip memory eliminates the need for external local buffer memory.

The chip also includes a loopback circuit, along with support for a 10Mbps seven-wire interface to allow the MB86974 to be directly connected to older 10Mbps transceivers. In half-duplex mode, the MB86974 implements the IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD protocol. While in full-duplex mode, it implements the IEEE 802.3 MAC control layer protocol. The circuit also includes a controller for accessing external EEPROM/ROM.

"This flow-control capable Ethernet controller is flexible, with on-chip content addressable memory that allows the chip to respond to multiple MAC addresses for bridging and WAN applications," said Daun Langston, LAN / WAN product manager. "The CAM feature included in the Fujitsu MAC also brings a new level of flexibility to media access control technology."

The flow-control block recognizes and transmits MAC control frames. It provides timers and counters for PAUSE operation, command and status register interface, and options for passing MAC control frames to software drivers. The internal CAM allows this controller to recognize up to 21 different MAC addresses, which can be expanded externally. The MB86974 MAC operates at 3.3V and is being manufactured using Fujitsu's proven 0.5-micron process. Designed for the latest generations of hubs, routers, repeaters and bridges, the device is available in sample quantities in 144-pin plastic quad flat packages. Volume pricing starts at $7.20 each in 10,000-unit quantities.

Fujitsu Microelectronics, Inc. (FMI) designs, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of advanced semiconductor and electronic devices. For product information, please call 800/866-8608 or visit the FMI web site at www.fujitsumicro.com.