LAN91C96-MU

Controllers Overview

The LAN91C96-MU 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 Local Bus, PCMCIA, and Motorola 68000 bus interfaces, operating with a single +5V or +3.3V power supply (Revisions E and later). It utilizes a hardware Memory Management Unit for packet handling and supports Magic Packet technology for power management. The component is housed in a 100-pin TQFP package.

Controllers Feature Summary

• Integrates Local Bus, PCMCIA, and Motorola 68000 bus interfaces within a single chip.
• Includes a hardware Memory Management Unit (MMU) for efficient packet memory management.
• Supports Full Duplex Switched Ethernet with enhanced transmit queue management.
• Features integrated 10BASE-T transceiver functions including link integrity testing.

Controllers Applications

• Embedded system network interface cards (NIC)
• PC Card LAN adapters
• Diskless local bus applications

Controllers Procurement Notes

Verify the specific revision level when sourcing to confirm voltage compatibility, as only Revisions E and later support +3.3V designs. Confirm package type matches the required footprint, as the LAN91C96 series includes both QFP and TQFP variants. Ensure serial EEPROM configuration requirements align with the target application's jumperless setup needs.

Controllers Selection Notes

Select this controller for applications requiring direct interfacing with Local Bus, PCMCIA, or 68000 buses without PCI constraints. Consider the 6K byte internal RAM capacity for systems needing high throughput or buffering against latency. Verify software driver availability for the target operating system, as drivers are compatible with LAN91C92 and LAN91C94 families.

Controllers Part Context

The LAN91C96-MU belongs to the LAN91C96 family of Ethernet controllers. It is pin-compatible with the LAN91C92 and LAN91C94 in Local Bus mode, allowing for potential design upgrades or replacements within existing architectures that utilize these legacy bus interfaces.

Controllers Replacement Considerations

The LAN91C96-MU is pin-compatible with the LAN91C92 and LAN91C94 in Local Bus mode. For PCMCIA mode, it is pin-compatible with the LAN91C94. Direct substitution requires verifying the specific bus mode configuration and voltage requirements of the host system.