As reported briefly (CI 1,716) National Semiconductor Corp has developed what it claims is the first chip for Ethernet networks to integrate the three basic functions, the network interface controller, the encoder-decoder and the transceiver. The company claims up to 40% board space savings with the product, compared to its next best offering, the DP83901. The DP83902 goes one better than the DP83901 launched last year, which integrates only two functions, the network interface controller and the encoder-decoder – users still have to add a separate transceiver device. NatSemi’s customers are the manufacturers of Ethernet adaptor cards and the nw device is particularly aimed at vendors of notebook and laptop adaptor cards, where space is a particularly important issue. The chip in its plastic packaging is 0.55 by 0.85 and 0.1 thick – substantially smaller than anything else on the market. By integrating Ethernet functions onto the motherboard, designers can free precious expansion slots on laptops and notebooks, making Ethernet-compliant portables a more viable prospect. The new chip is for 10Base-T networks and supports twisted pair only – users wanting a different medium will have to add a separate transceiver, as with the DP83901. It costs UKP45 for 100-up.
