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AM4378: Ethernet switch

Michi Yama
Guru 10030 points
Part Number: AM4378
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TS3L500AE

Hi,

I have one question regarding AM437x ethernet switch.

My customer would like to increase the ethernet ports. So they use external ethernet switch (TI TS3L500AE).

The connection is the below.

I think this is general solution for increasing the ethernet port.

But customer says, AM437x's ethernet controller has already switch in it. So there are two stages in the above circuit.

Customer worry that two switch (multple stages) gives bad influences (throughput , or link failure etc).

Is this use case no problem? If I should be care something for AM437x, please let me know.

I appreciate your quick reply.

Best regards,

Michi 

  • 0
    TI__Guru**** 393215 points
    Hi,

    I don't see any problem with this solution. From what I read in the TS3L500AE datasheet, the device is intended exactly for switching the signals between the Ethernet PHY and magnetics. You should note however, that there should be some sort of traffic management, in order to determine when it's safe to switch the port.
  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 43926 points

    Hi Michi,

    please make sure your customer does understand the difference between an active Ethernet switch that manages packets (e.g. for forwarding from one port to next) and the mentioned TI analog switch. This can only be used to change port connections. There will still be only one Ethernet port active at a time.

    But maybe that is what they want. Then using the internal CPSW in AM335x in single EMAC mode should be fine.

    Regards,