Microchip Technology VSC8562XKS-14

Overview

VSC8562XKS-14 from Microsemi (now Microchip) is a dual-port 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet PHY IC with integrated MACsec encryption, Synchronous Ethernet timing support, and QSGMII/SGMII MAC interface. It delivers full Gigabit copper and fiber media connectivity, supports IEEE 802.3af PoE, and operates across industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) in a 144-pin QFN package.

For engineers reviewing the VSC8562XKS-14 datasheet, VSC8562XKS-14 pinout, VSC8562XKS-14 application, or VSC8562XKS-14 equivalent, this device is selected for carrier-grade Ethernet switches, industrial routers requiring deterministic timing, secure backhaul links with hardware-accelerated MACsec, and SGMII-to-Copper bridging in space-constrained designs.

Technical Context

The VSC8562XKS-14 implements two independent PHY channels with full 10/100/1000BASE-T transceivers, each supporting autonegotiation, Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), and VeriPHY cable diagnostics. Its SerDes interface supports both SGMII and quad-SGMII (QSGMII) modes for flexible MAC interconnection.

It integrates a dedicated MACsec block compliant with IEEE 802.1AE, enabling line-rate 128-bit AES-GCM encryption/decryption per port, with key management via external controller. Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) support includes ESMC frame processing and phase-locked recovered clock outputs with <100 ps jitter (12 kHz–20 MHz).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 144-pin 10 mm × 10 mm × 0.85 mm QFN (VSC8562XKS-14), exposed thermal pad, RoHS-compliant, moisture sensitivity level 3.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with VSC8562XKS-14, the 88E1512 offers lower unit cost but requires external crypto and timing ICs to match security and sync performance, while the I210-IT trades standalone PHY flexibility for host integration-neither provides the combined MACsec+SyncE+QSGMII capability essential for next-gen fronthaul and secure aggregation.

Availability

VSC8562XKS-14 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for carrier-grade Ethernet switches, industrial routers, secure backhaul gateways, and 5G fronthaul concentrators requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for VSC8562XKS-14 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., is a leader in high-reliability semiconductor solutions for aerospace, defense, communications, and industrial markets, with deep expertise in timing, security, and Ethernet infrastructure.

The VSC8562XKS-14 belongs to Microsemi's Intellisec™ Ethernet PHY family, engineered specifically for carrier-class networking equipment demanding hardware-accelerated security, deterministic timing, and multi-standard media interface flexibility.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the VSC8562XKS-14 in an Ethernet system?

The VSC8562XKS-14 serves as a dual-port physical layer transceiver that bridges MAC-layer interfaces (QSGMII/SGMII) to copper (10/100/1000BASE-T) or fiber (1000BASE-X/100BASE-FX) media. It handles signal encoding/decoding, autonegotiation, clock recovery, and hardware-accelerated MACsec encryption-enabling secure, timing-aware Gigabit Ethernet links without external components. The VSC8562XKS-14 is designed for carrier and industrial applications where reliability, security, and synchronization are critical.

Does the VSC8562XKS-14 support IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP)?

No, the VSC8562XKS-14 does not implement IEEE 1588 PTP timestamping or transparent clock functionality. It supports Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) per ITU-T G.8262 for frequency and phase alignment but lacks PTP message parsing, hardware timestamp registers, or event pin triggers required for PTP operation. For PTP-capable PHYs, consider Microchip's VSC8572 or VSC8582 families. The VSC8562XKS-14 remains focused on SyncE and MACsec at the physical layer.

Can the VSC8562XKS-14 operate with only one port enabled?

Yes, the VSC8562XKS-14 supports independent port configuration: either port can be disabled via register settings (e.g., disabling autonegotiation or powering down the analog front-end), allowing single-port operation with full feature retention-including MACsec, SyncE, and VeriPHY-on the active port. This reduces power consumption by ~45% versus dual-port mode and simplifies PCB routing when only one link is needed. The VSC8562XKS-14 maintains all timing and security capabilities regardless of port count usage.

What clock sources does the VSC8562XKS-14 require for QSGMII operation?

The VSC8562XKS-14 requires a 125 MHz differential reference clock (REFCLK_IN) for QSGMII operation to maintain bit alignment and jitter compliance. This clock may be supplied externally or recovered from the QSGMII stream itself when configured in "recovered clock mode." The VSC8562XKS-14 also generates synchronized 125 MHz outputs (RCO1/RCO2) for downstream SerDes or FPGA logic. No additional clocks are needed for QSGMII link establishment-the VSC8562XKS-14 handles all serialization/deserialization internally.

Is the VSC8562XKS-14 compatible with standard SFP modules?

The VSC8562XKS-14 supports 1000BASE-X and 100BASE-FX fiber interfaces directly through its SerDes media interface, but it does not provide SFP hot-plug detection, I²C management, or +3.3 V power delivery required for full SFP compliance. To interface with standard SFP modules, external circuitry-including an SFP cage, level translators, and microcontroller-managed I²C-is necessary. The VSC8562XKS-14 is intended for fixed-fiber designs or custom pluggable optics with simplified electrical interface.