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Microchip Technology VSC7438YIH-02
- Part No.:
- VSC7438YIH-02
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Telecom
- Package:
- 672-BGA, FCBGA
- Datasheet:
-
VSC7438YIH-02.pdf
- Description:
- IC TELECOM INTERFACE
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:1,454
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Product details
Overview
VSC7438YIH-02 from Microsemi (now Microchip) is a carrier-grade Ethernet switch IC supporting Layer 2/3 forwarding, MPLS-TP OAM, IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol (PTP), and Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE). It features 32 × 1 GbE + 4 × 10 GbE ports, integrated VCAP™ classification engines, and hardware-accelerated Ethernet OAM (Y.1731, G.8113.1) for metro and wireless backhaul applications.
For engineers reviewing the VSC7438YIH-02 datasheet, VSC7438YIH-02 pinout, VSC7438YIH-02 application, or VSC7438YIH-02 equivalent, this device is selected for carrier-class timing-aware switching in NID, mobile fronthaul/backhaul, and MPLS-TP edge deployments requiring deterministic latency, sub-microsecond PTP timestamping accuracy, and full Y.1731 service OAM support.
Technical Context
The VSC7438YIH-02 implements a modular pipeline architecture with dedicated VCAP™ CLM (Content-Aware Lookup Memory) and LPM (Longest Prefix Match) engines for parallel classification of Ethernet frames, IP packets, and MPLS labels. Its Versatile OAM Processor (VOP) supports both Ethernet OAM (Y.1731) and MPLS-TP OAM (G.8113.1, BFD) with hardware timestamping and loss/delay measurement counters.
It integrates SERDES1G, SERDES6G, and SERDES10G PHY interfaces, enabling flexible port configurations including QSGMII, 10GBASE-R, and 10GBASE-KR. The shared queue system uses hierarchical scheduling with per-flow policing, weighted fair queuing, and congestion control via WRED and ECN-designed for strict SLA enforcement in carrier networks.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Port Count | 32 × 1 GbE + 4 × 10 GbE physical ports; supports logical port aggregation and flexible interface mapping (QSGMII, 10GBASE-R/KR). |
| Layer 2/3 Forwarding | Hardware-accelerated L2 switching (MAC learning, VLAN, MSTP) and IPv4/IPv6 routing with up to 16K LPM entries for scalable core-edge routing. |
| Timing & Sync | IEEE 1588v2 PTP (hardware timestamping ±2 ns resolution), ITU-T G.8262 SyncE, and ESMC support for telecom-grade time distribution. |
| OAM Support | Full Y.1731 (CCM, LMM, DMM, LM, DM), G.8113.1 (MPLS-TP), and BFD (bidirectional forwarding detection) with hardware counters and zero-software-overhead frame generation. |
| Classification Engine | Dual VCAP™ engines: VCAP CLM (128K entries) for deep packet inspection and VCAP LPM (16K IPv4/IPv6 entries) for routing lookups. |
| Security & QoS | ACL-based ingress filtering, MACsec-ready frame rewriting, 802.1p/DSCP-to-queue mapping, per-port policing (up to 128 policers), and sFlow v5 sampling. |
Pinout & Package
Package: 1156-pin FC-BGA (Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array), 35 mm × 35 mm, 0.8 mm pitch, RoHS-compliant, thermally enhanced with exposed thermal pad.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDDIO_1V8 | I/O Power Supply | 1.8 V supply for all digital I/O banks; requires local decoupling and noise isolation for signal integrity in high-speed SerDes operation. |
| REFCLK_156M | Reference Clock Input | 156.25 MHz differential reference clock for 10G SerDes; must meet jitter < 0.3 ps RMS for compliance with 10GBASE-R/KR standards. |
| PTP_CLKIN | PTP Timestamp Reference | Dedicated 1PPS or 10 MHz input for IEEE 1588v2 hardware timestamping; enables sub-ns synchronization accuracy in boundary clock mode. |
| SERDES_RX[0:39] | High-Speed Serial Receive | 32 × 1G + 4 × 10G SerDes lanes; configurable as QSGMII (4×1G), 10GBASE-R, or KR; each lane supports auto-negotiation and link training. |
| SERDES_TX[0:39] | High-Speed Serial Transmit | Corresponding transmit lanes; output swing and pre-emphasis programmable per lane to compensate for PCB trace loss up to 30 dB @ 5 GHz. |
| GPIO[0:15] | General-Purpose I/O | Configurable as inputs/outputs for board-level status signaling, reset coordination, or external PHY control; 3.3 V tolerant. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Hardware PTP Timestamping | ±2 ns resolution on all 36 ports; supports one-step and two-step clock modes with hardware-assisted correction for egress delay asymmetry. |
| Y.1731 OAM Acceleration | Zero-CPU frame generation for CCM, LMM, DMM, and synthetic loss/delay measurements; dedicated hardware counters eliminate software polling overhead. |
| VCAP CLM Classification | 128K entry table with 256-bit keys enabling simultaneous matching on L2–L4 headers, VLAN, MPLS, and custom fields for service-aware forwarding. |
| MPLS-TP G.8113.1 Support | Fully compliant endpoint implementation including MIP/MIP-Lite, TST, SAT, and Hit-Me-Once controllers-certified for metro transport networks. |
| Hierarchical QoS Scheduler | 8-level hierarchy supporting per-port, per-queue, and per-flow shaping; integrates WRED, ECN marking, and buffer admission control for multi-tenant SLA enforcement. |
Applications
| Wireless Backhaul | Network Interface Device (NID) |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Microwave or millimeter-wave base station aggregation in 4G/LTE and 5G fronthaul/backhaul networks. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Carrier Ethernet switch with PTP boundary clock and SyncE recovery for precise time and phase alignment across distributed radios. Use Value: Enables CPRI/eCPRI transport over packet networks with <100 ns time error and <1 µs packet delay variation-meeting 3GPP TR 38.803 requirements. |
Use Scenario: Fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) or fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) access node connecting DSL/cable subscribers to metro core. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Multi-service aggregation switch supporting VLAN-aware bridging, DHCP relay, and PTP transparent clock functionality. Use Value: Delivers synchronized time to CPE devices while enforcing per-subscriber QoS policies and providing Y.1731-based SLA monitoring for service assurance. |
| Carrier Ethernet Switch with MPLS-TP | Mobile Fronthaul Transport |
Use Scenario: Edge aggregation switch in metro ring topology carrying business services with guaranteed bandwidth and OAM visibility. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: MPLS-TP endpoint with G.8113.1 OAM, BFD, and hardware-accelerated label switching for deterministic packet transport. Use Value: Achieves <50 ms failure detection and recovery using BFD and continuity check messages-meeting ITU-T G.8032 Ethernet ring protection requirements. |
Use Scenario: Centralized unit (CU) to distributed unit (DU) transport in open RAN architectures using eCPRI over Ethernet. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-latency, time-synchronized switch with hardware timestamping and jitter-controlled egress scheduling. Use Value: Maintains <260 ns eCPRI timestamp accuracy across 10G links and supports dynamic bandwidth allocation for variable radio traffic loads. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar carrier Ethernet switching applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marvell Alaska V 88X3310 | Single-die 10G/25G switch with integrated PHYs; lacks hardware PTP timestamping and MPLS-TP OAM acceleration. | Targeted at enterprise data center top-of-rack; not certified for telecom timing or Y.1731/G.8113.1 compliance. | Select when cost-sensitive 10G switching without telecom-grade timing or OAM is sufficient. |
| Intel Ethernet Switch FM6000 | PCIe-based switch ASIC with host CPU offload; requires external PHYs and software-defined PTP stack-no hardware timestamping engine. | Designed for cloud-native disaggregated switches; lacks carrier-grade OAM and SyncE support. | Select for SDN-controlled white-box switches where flexibility outweighs telecom certification needs. |
Compared with Marvell 88X3310 and Intel FM6000, the VSC7438YIH-02 delivers telecom-certifiable timing (PTP ±2 ns, SyncE G.8262), embedded OAM acceleration (Y.1731/G.8113.1), and carrier-class QoS-all in a single monolithic switch fabric, eliminating external PHY complexity and software timing stack dependencies.
Availability
VSC7438YIH-02 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wireless backhaul, network interface device (NID), and carrier Ethernet switch with MPLS-TP applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and full telecom qualification documentation.
Supply support for VSC7438YIH-02 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
Microsemi Corporation-acquired by Microchip Technology in 2018-specializes in high-reliability semiconductor solutions for aerospace, defense, communications, and industrial markets, with leadership in timing, security, and Ethernet infrastructure.
The VSC7438YIH-02 belongs to Microsemi's Carrier Ethernet Switch family, engineered specifically for metro and access networks demanding telecom-grade synchronization, hardware-accelerated OAM, and multi-layer service-aware forwarding.
FAQ
What is the primary function of the VSC7438YIH-02 in carrier networks?
The VSC7438YIH-02 serves as a carrier-grade Ethernet switch IC optimized for metro and access networks. It performs Layer 2/3 forwarding, hardware-accelerated Y.1731 and G.8113.1 OAM, IEEE 1588v2 PTP timestamping, and Synchronous Ethernet recovery. Its design enables deterministic latency, strict SLA enforcement, and full service visibility-making it ideal for wireless backhaul, NID, and MPLS-TP edge deployments where telecom certification is mandatory. The VSC7438YIH-02 integrates these functions into a single monolithic switch fabric without requiring external PHYs or timing co-processors.
Does the VSC7438YIH-02 support IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol with hardware timestamping?
Yes, the VSC7438YIH-02 includes a dedicated hardware PTP engine supporting IEEE 1588v2 with ±2 ns timestamp resolution on all 36 ports. It implements both one-step and two-step clock modes, supports PTP transparent and boundary clock operation, and provides hardware-assisted correction for egress delay asymmetry. This capability eliminates software-based timestamping jitter and ensures sub-microsecond time synchronization required for 4G/LTE and 5G fronthaul applications. The VSC7438YIH-02 also accepts external 1PPS or 10 MHz references via the PTP_CLKIN pin for traceable time distribution.
How does the VSC7438YIH-02 handle Ethernet OAM (Y.1731) and MPLS-TP OAM (G.8113.1)?
The VSC7438YIH-02 integrates a Versatile OAM Processor (VOP) that fully accelerates Y.1731 (CCM, LMM, DMM, LM, DM) and G.8113.1 (MIP, TST, SAT, Hit-Me-Once) functions in hardware. It generates and processes OAM frames without CPU intervention, maintains dedicated hardware counters for loss and delay measurements, and supports synthetic loss/delay testing with nanosecond precision. Unlike software-based implementations, the VSC7438YIH-02 guarantees deterministic OAM response times and zero packet loss during high-load conditions-critical for SLA monitoring in carrier networks.
What types of port interfaces does the VSC7438YIH-02 support?
The VSC7438YIH-02 supports multiple high-speed interface configurations via its integrated SERDES macros: QSGMII (for 4×1 GbE per quad), 10GBASE-R (WAN PHY), and 10GBASE-KR (backplane PHY). It provides 40 total SerDes lanes-configurable as 32 × 1 GbE + 4 × 10 GbE-and supports automatic lane reversal, polarity inversion, and adaptive equalization. The device does not include integrated copper PHYs; external PHYs or optical modules connect directly to the SerDes outputs. All interfaces comply with IEEE 802.3 standards and support full-duplex operation with auto-negotiation.
Is the VSC7438YIH-02 pin-compatible with other members of the VSC74xx-02 family?
No, the VSC7438YIH-02 is not pin-compatible with VSC7464-02 or VSC7468-02. While all three share the same package footprint (1156-pin FC-BGA), their SerDes lane allocations, GPIO mappings, power domain assignments, and internal port numbering differ significantly. The VSC7438YIH-02 implements 32 × 1G + 4 × 10G ports, whereas VSC7464-02 supports 64 × 1G + 4 × 10G, and VSC7468-02 supports 68 × 1G + 4 × 10G. PCB layout, power delivery, and thermal design must be validated separately for each variant. The VSC7438YIH-02 requires unique firmware and register configuration due to its distinct port module instantiation.
VSC7438YIH-02 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- Serval™-2
- Package/Case:
- 672-BGA, FCBGA
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Active
- Function:
- Ethernet Switch
- Interface:
- Ethernet
- Number of Circuits:
- 1
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Current - Supply:
- -
- Power (Watts):
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 125°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 672-FCBGA (27x27)
VSC7438YIH-02 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for VSC7438YIH-02 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for VSC7438YIH-02 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for VSC7438YIH-02 reliable?
The price and inventory of VSC7438YIH-02 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for VSC7438YIH-02 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for VSC7438YIH-02?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for VSC7438YIH-02 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for VSC7438YIH-02?
VSC7438YIH-02 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your VSC7438YIH-02 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for VSC7438YIH-02?
For technical support, including VSC7438YIH-02 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your VSC7438YIH-02 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that VSC7438YIH-02 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All VSC7438YIH-02 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that VSC7438YIH-02 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of VSC7438YIH-02?
All VSC7438YIH-02 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with VSC7438YIH-02, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The VSC7438YIH-02 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for VSC7438YIH-02:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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