Microchip Technology VSC7468YIH-02

Overview

VSC7468YIH-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 delivers up to 128 Gbps switching capacity, integrates 64 × 1 GbE + 8 × 10 GbE SERDES ports, and supports full hardware-based Y.1731, G.8113.1, and BFD OAM protocols for metro and access networks.

For engineers reviewing the VSC7468YIH-02 datasheet, VSC7468YIH-02 pinout, VSC7468YIH-02 application, or VSC7468YIH-02 equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, validated pin mapping, confirmed carrier Ethernet feature support, and real-world deployment guidance for wireless backhaul, NID, and MPLS-TP edge switching applications.

Technical Context

The VSC7468YIH-02 implements a Virtualized Service Aware Architecture (ViSAA™) with parallel pipeline processing across VCAP™ classifier engines (CLM, LPM, IS2), Analyzer forwarding engine, and Versatile OAM Processor (VOP). It supports hierarchical QoS with per-port, per-queue policing and scheduling using a shared buffer architecture with 12 MB packet memory.

Its timing subsystem includes dual PTP clocks (one for master, one for slave operation), SyncE recovery from any port input, and hardware timestamping with ±2 ns accuracy on all 72 Ethernet interfaces. The device uses a 28 nm CMOS process and operates at 1.0 V core voltage with thermal design power of 12.5 W.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 1156-pin FC-BGA (31 mm × 31 mm, 0.8 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, thermally enhanced with exposed thermal pad. Pinout defined per VMDS-10497 Rev 4.1 Section 3.3.7 (VSC7468-02 Port Numbering and Port Mappings) and Table 3-1 (SERDES Macro to I/O Pin Mapping).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with Marvell 88X3310 and Intel FM6000, the VSC7468YIH-02 uniquely integrates carrier-class OAM acceleration, dual-domain PTP+SyncE timing, and ViSAA™ classification - enabling single-chip compliance with MEF, ITU-T, and 3GPP fronthaul/metro requirements without external co-processors or software overhead.

Availability

VSC7468YIH-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 telecom-grade reliability.

Supply support for VSC7468YIH-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, now part of Microchip Technology Inc., designs high-reliability semiconductor solutions for aerospace, defense, communications, and industrial markets - with leadership in timing, security, and Ethernet infrastructure.

The VSC7468YIH-02 belongs to Microsemi's Carrier Ethernet Switch family, engineered specifically for metro aggregation, mobile fronthaul, and telecom access networks demanding hardware-accelerated OAM, sub-microsecond timing, and MPLS-TP control plane integration.

FAQ

What is the maximum number of 1 GbE and 10 GbE ports supported by the VSC7468YIH-02?

The VSC7468YIH-02 supports up to 64 × 1 GbE ports and 8 × 10 GbE ports, configurable via QSGMII, 10GBASE-R, or 10GBASE-KR interfaces. This configuration is fixed per the VSC7468-02 silicon variant and cannot be reconfigured to increase 10 GbE count at the expense of 1 GbE ports. All 72 ports operate concurrently at line rate.

Does the VSC7468YIH-02 support IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol in boundary clock mode?

Yes, the VSC7468YIH-02 supports IEEE 1588v2 boundary clock mode with hardware timestamping accuracy of ±2 ns and dual independent PTP clock domains. It can simultaneously act as a PTP boundary clock for upstream/downstream domains while recovering SyncE from a separate port - a capability confirmed in Section 2.4 and Figure 2-12 of the VMDS-10497 datasheet.

Is hardware acceleration provided for Y.1731 Ethernet OAM functions in the VSC7468YIH-02?

Yes, the VSC7468YIH-02 includes full hardware acceleration for Y.1731 OAM including Continuity Check (CCM), Frame Loss Measurement (LM), Delay Measurement (DM), and Service Activation Test (SAT). These functions execute entirely within the Versatile OAM Processor (VOP) without CPU intervention - as documented in Sections 3.22–3.24 of the datasheet.

What package type and thermal specifications apply to the VSC7468YIH-02?

The VSC7468YIH-02 uses an 1156-pin FC-BGA package (31 mm × 31 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. It is rated for industrial temperature range (–40°C to +105°C case temperature) and has a typical power dissipation of 12.5 W - validated in thermal characterization reports referenced in VMDS-10497 Appendix A.

Can the VSC7468YIH-02 operate as both a PTP boundary clock and a SyncE equipment clock simultaneously?

Yes, the VSC7468YIH-02 supports concurrent PTP boundary clock and SyncE equipment clock operation. Its dual timing architecture allows one domain to lock to a PTP grandmaster while another recovers frequency from a SyncE input - enabling hybrid timing networks compliant with ITU-T G.8262 and G.8275.1 standards.