Microchip adds EtherCAT and TSN IP to PolarFire FPGA platform
Illustrative image: Brecht Corbeel on Unsplash
Microchip Technology has expanded its industrial edge networking stack for the PolarFire FPGA and SoC platform with EtherCAT and Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) support, aimed at deterministic, real-time communications for AI-enabled automation, robotics and Industry 4.0 systems.
Beckhoff Automation GmbH's EtherCAT IP is compatible with both PolarFire FPGA and PolarFire SoC devices, supporting EtherCAT connectivity at 10/100/1000 Mbps. Microchip's own TSN IP, which implements IEEE 802.1 Time-Sensitive Networking standards for deterministic 1 Gbps Ethernet, is supported on PolarFire FPGA SoCs.
The two technologies form part of Microchip's growing portfolio of FPGA solution stacks, which combine hardware, IP, development tools and reference designs across industrial networking, AI, machine learning and security-focused applications.
PolarFire devices use a non-volatile FPGA architecture that supports instant-on operation along with integrated security features including secure boot and anti-tamper protection. According to Microchip, the flexible FPGA fabric allows EtherCAT and TSN to be integrated while supporting scalable customisation for evolving industrial network architectures.
"Industrial networks are becoming more intelligent, distributed and data driven as AI moves closer to the edge," said Shakeel Peera, vice president of Microchip's FPGA business unit. "By adding EtherCAT and TSN capabilities to our power-efficient PolarFire platform, we're providing developers with the deterministic networking technologies needed to build highly responsive, scalable systems for industrial and embedded networking applications."
Microchip lists target applications including motion control, industrial robotics, embedded vision, factory automation, autonomous mobile robots, automotive systems, smart infrastructure and aerospace and defence platforms. The networking solutions are supported by Microchip's Libero SoC design suite, IP cores and reference designs, along with the PolarFire SoC Motor Control Kit (MPFS095-MOTOR-KIT) for evaluation and prototyping.
