Non-PCI Single-Chip Full Duplex Ethernet Controller
Chapter 1
General Description
The LAN91C96I is a VLSI Ethernet Controller that combines Local Bus interfaces in one chip. LAN91C96I
integrates all MAC and physical layer functions, as well as the packet RAM, needed to implement a high
performance 10BASE-T (twisted pair) node. For 10BASE5 (thick coax), 10BASE2 (thin coax), and
10BASE-F (fiber) implementations, the LAN91C96I interfaces to external transceivers via the provided AUI
port. Only one additional IC is required for most applications. The LAN91C96I comes with Full Duplex
Switched Ethernet (FDSWE) support allowing the controller to provide much higher throughput. 6K bytes
of RAM is provided to support enhanced throughput and compensate for any increased system service
latencies. The controller implements multiple advanced powerdown modes including Magic Packet to
conserve power and operate more efficiently. The LAN91C96I can directly interface with the Local Bus and
deliver no-wait-state operation. For Local Bus interfaces, the LAN91C96I occupies 16 I/0 locations and no
memory space.
The same I/O space is used for Local Bus operations. Its shared memory is sequentially accessed with
40ns access times to any of its registers, including its packet memory. DMA services are not used by the
LAN91C96I, virtually decoupling network traffic from local or system bus utilization. For packet memory
management, the LAN91C96I integrates a unique hardware Memory Management Unit (MMU) with
enhanced performance and decreased software overhead when compared to ring buffer and linked list
architectures. The LAN91C96I is portable to different CPU and bus platforms due to its flexible bus
interface, flat memory structure (no pointers), and its loosely coupled buffered architecture (not sensitive to
latency).
The LAN91C96I is available in 100-pin QFP and TQFP (1.0 mm body thickness) packages; green, lead-
free packages are also available. The low profile TQFP is ideal for mobile applications such as PC Card
LAN adapters. The LAN91C96I operates with a single power supply voltage of 5V or 3.3V. The industrial
temperature range for LAN91C96I is –40°C to 85°C.
Rev. 11/18/2004
Page 6
SMSC DS – LAN91C96I
DATASHEET
SMSC [ SMSC CORPORATION ]
