Microchip Technology has expanded its PolarFire FPGA and system-on-chip (SoC) industrial networking platform with support for EtherCAT and Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), targeting real-time communication requirements in factory automation, industrial robotics, and edge AI systems.
The expanded industrial edge networking stack combines FPGA hardware with networking IP, development tools, and reference designs to support deterministic communications in distributed industrial environments. Beckhoff Automation’s EtherCAT IP is compatible with PolarFire FPGA and SoC devices, while Microchip’s TSN IP is supported on PolarFire SoC devices.
The EtherCAT implementation supports network speeds of 10/100/1000Mbps, while the TSN solution enables deterministic 1Gbps ethernet communications based on IEEE 802.1 standards. These capabilities allow industrial systems to exchange time-sensitive data with predictable latency, an important requirement for coordinating motion controllers, robotic equipment, and other connected machinery.
PolarFire devices use a nonvolatile FPGA architecture that supports instant-on operation and low-power processing. The platform also incorporates security features such as secure boot and anti-tamper protection. Its programmable fabric allows developers to customize networking functions while accommodating changes in industrial communication requirements.
Potential applications include industrial motion control, embedded vision, autonomous mobile robots, and smart infrastructure. The networking capabilities also extend to automotive and aerospace systems requiring reliable, deterministic data exchange.
Microchip supports development through its Libero SoC design suite, networking IP cores, and reference designs. Evaluation hardware includes the Dual-Port Gigabit Ethernet FMC card (ETH-DC-DUALGBE) and PolarFire SoC Video Kit (MPFS250-VIDEO-KIT), providing platforms for prototyping and testing industrial networking designs.
Learn More: https://www.microchip.com/en-us/solutions/industrial/fpga/polarfire-fpgas-for-the-industrial-edge
