Designed specifically to address the needs of industrial Ethernet switch applications, such as factory automation, process control, smart grid/smart energy and physical security, the devices have been designed to simplify IIoT network migration to an Ethernet backbone with flexible interfaces, TCAM based classifications, 1588 timing and ring protection in a small package.
According to ARC Advisory Group, the industrial Ethernet switch market is now worth over $1 billion annually and expected to grow at double-digit rates for the next five years.
“Ethernet’s use in industrial communications is increasingly widespread as the industry looks to modernise their networks onto this ubiquitous standard,” explained Larry O’Connell, director of product marketing at Microsemi. “We are expanding our offering to support a wide range of industrial Ethernet applications. The addition of our new Ocelot devices will provide IIoT customers with a cost-effective solution that does not compromise on features.”
The Ocelot family includes: VSC7511, a four-port, layer 2 gigabit Ethernet switch with four fully integrated copper PHYs; VSC7512, a 10-port, layer 2 gigabit Ethernet switch with four fully integrated copper PHYs; VSC7513, an eight-port, layer 2/3 gigabit Ethernet switch and the VCS7514, a 10-port layer 2/3 gigabit Ethernet switch.
The switches also feature optimised port configurations, unmanaged and managed options, and IStaX software which has been optimised for the industrial market.
The Ocelot product family is sampling now, with production scheduled for summer 2016. Evaluation boards for the devices are available now.
