LAN91C96-MS

Controllers Overview

The LAN91C96-MS is a non-PCI single-chip full duplex Ethernet controller manufactured by Microchip Technology. It integrates MAC and physical layer functions with 6K bytes of on-chip RAM, supporting IEEE 802.3 standards at 10 Mb/s. The device features a flexible bus interface compatible with Local Bus, PCMCIA, and Motorola 68000 buses, operating without wait states. It supports both +5V and +3.3V designs (Revision E and later) and includes an integrated 10BASE-T transceiver with AUI interface support. The component is housed in a 100-pin QFP package.

Controllers Feature Summary

• Integrates a hardware Memory Management Unit (MMU) for efficient packet handling and dynamic memory allocation between transmit and receive queues.
• Supports Magic Packet technology for enhanced power management and wake-up capabilities.
• Provides direct-driven LED outputs for installation and runtime diagnostics.
• Features automatic detection and correction of TX/RX polarity reversal.

Controllers Applications

• Full Duplex Switched Ethernet nodes
• PC Card LAN adapters
• Diskless Local Bus applications

Controllers Procurement Notes

Verify the specific revision letter suffix to confirm voltage compatibility, as only Revision E and later support +3.3V designs while earlier versions are limited to +5V. Confirm that the QFP package matches the -MS suffix designation. Ensure the host system bus interface aligns with the supported Local Bus, PCMCIA, or 68000 protocols before integration.

Controllers Selection Notes

Select this component when a non-PCI Ethernet solution with integrated PHY and substantial on-chip memory is required. It is suitable for systems needing flexibility across multiple bus architectures. Consider the pin compatibility with LAN91C92 and LAN91C94 if migrating existing designs. Verify software driver availability for the target network operating system.

Controllers Part Context

The LAN91C96-MS belongs to the LAN91C96 series of Ethernet controllers. It is designed to be pin and software compatible with the LAN91C92 and LAN91C94 in Local Bus mode. The -MS suffix specifically denotes the 100-pin QFP lead-free RoHS compliant package variant.

Controllers Replacement Considerations

The datasheet confirms pin compatibility with the LAN91C92 and LAN91C94 in Local Bus mode. No other specific substitute part numbers are documented in the provided source material.