Microchip Technology VSC8572XKS-02

Overview

VSC8572XKS-02 from Microsemi (now Microchip) is a dual-port 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet PHY IC supporting IEEE 1588v2 precision time stamping, Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE), and QSGMII/SGMII/RGMII MAC interfaces. It delivers full-duplex gigabit operation over Cat5e/6 copper, features integrated ActiPHY power management, and enables carrier-grade timing in metro edge and industrial Ethernet switches.

For engineers reviewing the VSC8572XKS-02 datasheet, VSC8572XKS-02 pinout, VSC8572XKS-02 application, or VSC8572XKS-02 equivalent, this device is selected for IEEE 1588 boundary clock implementations, SyncE-compliant transport equipment, and low-power managed switch designs requiring deterministic latency and sub-100ns timestamp resolution.

Technical Context

The VSC8572XKS-02 integrates two independent 10/100/1000BASE-T PHYs with full IEEE 802.3 Clause 36/40/45 compliance, including EEE (802.3az) and PoE support (802.3af). Each port supports simultaneous copper (Cat5) and fiber (1000BASE-X/100BASE-FX) media via SerDes, with automatic media sense and protocol conversion between QSGMII, SGMII, and RGMII.

Its IEEE 1588v2 timestamping engine provides hardware-accelerated one-step and two-step transparent/boundary clock operation, with dedicated timestamp FIFO, serial timestamp output interface, and Y.1731 OAM delay measurement capability - all synchronized to a common local time counter with ±50 ps resolution.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 256-pin TFBGA (15 mm × 15 mm, 0.8 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, lead-free, moisture sensitivity level 3.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with Marvell 88E1512 and Intel I210-IT, the VSC8572XKS-02 uniquely combines dual-port 10/100/1000BASE-T, hardware IEEE 1588v2, SyncE, and QSGMII in a single TFBGA package - enabling compact, low-latency, carrier-class timing nodes without external timestamp acceleration.

Availability

VSC8572XKS-02 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for mobile fronthaul gateways, industrial Ethernet switches, and carrier Ethernet access nodes requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and full timing compliance documentation.

Supply support for VSC8572XKS-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 - 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 VSC8572XKS-02 belongs to Microsemi's Carrier Ethernet PHY product line, engineered specifically for metro edge, mobile backhaul, and smart grid applications demanding IEEE 1588v2, SyncE, and deterministic low-latency performance.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the VSC8572XKS-02 in an Ethernet system?

The VSC8572XKS-02 serves as a dual-port 10/100/1000BASE-T physical layer transceiver that bridges MAC-layer interfaces (QSGMII/SGMII/RGMII) to copper or fiber media while delivering hardware-accelerated IEEE 1588v2 timestamping and Synchronous Ethernet recovery. Its core function is to enable carrier-grade timing and low-latency packet handling in metro edge and industrial Ethernet systems - a role fulfilled by no other single-chip solution in its class.

Does the VSC8572XKS-02 support both copper and fiber media on the same port?

No - each of the two ports supports either copper (10/100/1000BASE-T over Cat5e/6) or fiber (1000BASE-X or 100BASE-FX) media, but not simultaneously on the same port. However, automatic media sense allows runtime selection between copper and fiber based on link partner detection, and the SerDes interface enables protocol conversion between QSGMII/SGMII and fiber standards without external components.

How does the VSC8572XKS-02 implement IEEE 1588v2 timestamping?

The VSC8572XKS-02 implements IEEE 1588v2 timestamping via a dedicated hardware engine that captures timestamps at the exact PHY ingress/egress point - before MAC processing - with ±50 ps resolution. It supports one-step and two-step transparent/boundary clock modes, Y.1731 OAM delay measurements, and serial timestamp output for external correlation, all synchronized to a common local time counter.

What power management features does the VSC8572XKS-02 include?

The VSC8572XKS-02 incorporates ActiPHY power management with three defined states: low power (deep sleep), link partner wake-up (fast resume), and normal operation. It dynamically scales power per port based on link activity and supports IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet, reducing consumption by >50% during low-traffic intervals while maintaining full link integrity and sub-20 µs wake-up latency.

Is the VSC8572XKS-02 compatible with RGMII v2.0 timing requirements?

Yes - the VSC8572XKS-02 supports RGMII v2.0 with programmable input/output delay tuning (±1.5 ns in 75 ps steps) to compensate for PCB trace skew. It operates at 1.8 V or 2.5 V I/O voltage and maintains setup/hold timing margins across temperature and voltage corners, enabling robust interfacing with Xilinx Zynq, Intel SoC FPGA, and NXP Layerscape processors.