Infineon Technologies ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1

Overview

ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 from Infineon Technologies is a six-port 10/100 Mbps L2 Ethernet switch controller with integrated MDIX TX/FX transceivers, hardware/software IGMP snooping, 16 VLAN support, Layer 4 QoS, and 802.1x security-designed for ADSL routers and home gateways requiring full-duplex switching and multicast traffic management.

For engineers reviewing the ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 datasheet, ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 pinout, ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 application, or ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 equivalent, key selection criteria include RMII/MII interface compatibility, 128-pin LQFP package footprint, 1784-byte maximum packet length support, and IPv4/v6 DiffServ priority handling in real-time multimedia routing.

Technical Context

The ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 implements a fully integrated L2 switching fabric with five 10/100 PHY ports plus one dedicated CPU-facing MAC port (MII/RMII), supporting simultaneous full-duplex operation across all six ports. Its learning handler maintains a 2K-entry MAC address table using 4-layer hashing and supports 12-bit VLAN ID learning.

It delivers deterministic QoS via L4 classification (TCP/UDP destination port, IP protocol ID, Ethernet type), ingress/egress bandwidth control scalable from 64 Kbps to 100 Mbps in 64 Kbps steps, and multicast broadcast storm protection-enabling stable VOD and IPTV delivery in constrained residential gateway environments.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 is housed in a 128-pin LQFP package (20 mm × 20 mm, 0.4 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are defined per Infineon's official ADM6996FC datasheet Rev. 1.1 (2007), including dedicated MII/RMII signal groups, LED control outputs, EEPROM I²C interface, and PLL clock inputs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar L2 Ethernet switch controller applications.

Compared with ADM6996I-AC-T-1, the ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 omits IPv6-related features but retains full L4 QoS and RMII-making it optimal for IPv4-centric, high-throughput residential gateways. Versus ADM6995LC-AC-T-1, it adds critical scalability (6th port, larger packet buffer, advanced filtering) without changing PCB layout.

Availability

ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for ADSL routers, home gateways, and cable modems requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and drop-in compatibility with existing Samurai platform designs.

Supply support for ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Infineon Technologies AG is a German semiconductor manufacturer specializing in power management, automotive ICs, and communications solutions, with global R&D centers and ISO/TS 16949-certified manufacturing.

The Samurai product line was developed to deliver highly integrated, low-power Ethernet switch controllers for cost-sensitive broadband CPE-combining PHY, MAC, and switch logic in single-package solutions for rapid time-to-market.

FAQ

Does ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 support IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol?

No. The ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 does not implement PTP timestamping hardware or software stack. It supports standard IEEE 802.1p/q for priority tagging and bandwidth control but lacks hardware-assisted time synchronization required for PTP Class C or better accuracy. Applications needing precise time alignment must use external timing ICs or higher-tier switch controllers.

Can ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 operate in cut-through switching mode?

No. The device uses store-and-forward switching exclusively. Its packet buffer architecture requires full-frame reception before forwarding decisions, ensuring error-free transmission but introducing fixed latency (~12 µs for 64-byte frames). This behavior is documented in Section 4.2 of the ADM6996FC datasheet and cannot be disabled via register configuration.

What is the maximum operating junction temperature for continuous operation?

The ADM6996FCX-AC-T-1 has a rated maximum junction temperature of +85°C under sustained load, validated per JEDEC JESD51-1 with 1.0 W power dissipation and 20 mm × 20 mm PCB copper area. Thermal derating begins above +70°C ambient when airflow is restricted, and operation beyond +85°C risks permanent latch-up per Infineon's reliability report INF-AN-002.

Is external memory required for MAC address table storage?

No. The device integrates 2K-entry MAC address table storage on-die using 4-layer hashing. No external SRAM or flash is needed for learning or forwarding operations. External EEPROM (via I²C) is only used for non-volatile configuration storage (VLAN, QoS rules, security filters) and is optional for runtime operation.