Lpc2000

Hi Joel and Co.

Just to confirm - the SAM7X consumes 200mA when running at 50MHz 
with 100M LAN (Micrel). Layout is very simple indeed - footpint 
adequately small for more embedded stuff. See example at 
http://www.altec-ag.ch/ger/Produkte/DOWNLOADS/DS_AL6000S_V3.pdf

Complete port time of a system to ATMEL took 9 days from start (no 
knowledge) to completion incl. serial, MAC, ext. PHY and FLASH file 
system - where the code is running from internal FLASH (very simple 
to use is the FLASH.. [easier than LPC2000, but I still love the 
LPC - would be great to finally get Ethernet]) downloading with 
loader utility (similar to LPC2000 utility). Maybe 2 days lost due 
to a hardware issue (silly mistake so won't go into details..)

The ENC28J60 gives me nightmares when I see the 250mA at 10M - then 
it needs a processor as well!! I would also like to see a design 
working with it; it is over a year since first samples were promised 
but it still doesn't seem to be really ready (or do you know more?).

ATMEL will be in full production from March and may well make a big 
splash! Then watch out for the new Coldfire with MAC + PHY which 
will follow!!
Internal MAC is neat, whereas the external PHY is not a big deal 
since they are basically compatible and quite small.

For internal MAC+PHY I have been using the MC9S12NE64 for a year now 
with good success. Memory is quite tight but it is still surprising 
what can be packed into it (helps to have a good compiler).

One point to note is that MAC+PHY using one clock (quarz) forces 
25MHz (depending on PLL flexibility), which is not very suitable for 
generating fast serial speeds. So there can also be advantages in 
keepimg the separate...

A couple of demos always online at www.mjbc.ch

Cheers

Mark Butcher
www.mjbc.ch


--- In lpc2000@yahoogroups.com, "Joel Winarske" <joelw@i...> wrote:
>
> > ok, but what you really benefit from the embedded MAC when you 
anyway
> > will need external PHY connected to the chip?
> 
> Sure, I/O bandwith and PHY choice.  Having a built-in PHY locks 
your part
> into a niche, while limiting potential markets.
> 
> The Dallas DS80C390/400 series took the separate PHY approach, 
they did
> pretty good.  They aren't even Flash based.
> 
> > I'll tell you from manufacturing point of view: almost nothing, 
no
> > space saving, no price reduction, still two chip solution the 
price
> > difference between MAC+PHY chip is just add to the SAM7S vs. 
SAM7X
> > price.
> 
> The Infineon 10/100 ADM7001 PHY is ~$0.86 each in qty of 2500.  
Cheapest
> I've seen.  My guess is the LPC2300 doesn't implement a built-in 
PHY.
> 
> > So why do you need SAM7X instead SAM7S+ENC28J60 for instance?
> > ENC28J60 nice and small footprint taking only *few* uC ports, ohh
> > yeah well it takes 250mA while running at 10Mbit... so what? I 
don't
> > intent to use it in battery powered equipment and the power 
adapter
> > will source these 250mA without problem, and 10Mbit cover most of
> > embedded applications these microcontrollers can be used for.
> 
> 250ma for Ethernet on a cost conscience product is a tough sell, 
no matter
> how you slice it.
> 
> > and of course it's pitty LPC3xxx comes in LFBGA-320 package, this
> > means bye bye low cost development, hello expensive 8-10 layers,
> > blind and burried vias protos :)
> 
> I understand TQFP-100 will be available first.
> 
> 
> Joel
>