Data Sheet

CS8900A
Crystal LAN
TM
Ethernet Controller
3 PI271PP2
OVERVIEW (cont.)
CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT
Key Benefits
Very Low Cost
The CS8900A is designed to provide the lowest-
cost Ethernet solution available for embedded
applications, portable motherboards, and adapter
cards. Cost-saving features include:
• Integrated RAM eliminates the need for expensive
external memory chips.
• On-chip 10BASE-T filters allow designers to use
simple isolation transformers instead of more
costly filter/transformer packages.
• The serial EEPROM port, used for configuration
and initialization, eliminates the need for expen-
sive switches and jumpers.
• The CS8900A is designed to be used on a 2-layer
circuit board instead of a more expensive multi-
layer board.
• The 8900A-based solution offers the smallest
footprint available, saving valuable printed circuit
board area.
• A setofcertified softwaredriversisavailableat no
charge, eliminating the need for costly software
development.
High Performance
The CS8900A is a full 16-bit Ethernet controller
designed to provide optimal system performance
by minimizing time on the bus and CPU overhead
per frame. It offers equal or superior performance
for less money when compared to other Ethernet
controllers. The CS8900A’s PacketPage architec-
ture allows software to select whichever access
method is best suited to each particular CPU/bus
configuration. When compared to older I/O-space
designs, PacketPage is faster, simpler and more
efficient.
To boost performance further, the CS8900A
includes several key features that increase
throughput and lower CPU overhead, including:
• StreamTransfer cuts up to 87% of interrupts to the
host CPU during large block transfers.
• Auto-Switch DMA allows the CS8900A to maxi-
mize throughput while minimizing missed frames.
• Early interrupts allow the host to preprocess
incoming frames.
• On-chip buffering of full frames cuts the amount
of host bandwidth needed to manage Ethernet
traffic.
Low Power and Low Noise
For low power needs, the CS8900A offers three
power-down options: Hardware Standby, Hard-
ware Suspend, and Software Suspend. In Standby
mode, the chip is powered down with the exception
of the 10BASE-T receiver, which is enabled to lis-
ten for link activity. In either Hardware or Software
Suspend mode, the receiver is disabled and power
consumption drops to the micro-ampere range.
In addition, the CS8900A has been designed for
very low noise emission, thus shortening the time
required for EMI testing and qualification.
Complete Support
The CS8900A comes with a suite of software driv-
ers for immediate use with most industry standard
network operating systems. In addition, complete
evaluation kits and manufacturing packages are
available, significantly reducing the cost and time
required to produce new Ethernet products.
Ordering Information
CS8900A-CQ, 0° to 70° C, 100-pin TQFP
CS8900A-IQ, -40° to 85° C, 100-pin TQFP
CS8900A-CQ, 30° to 70° C, 100-pin TQFP
CRD8900A-1 Evaluation Kit
If you have any questions, please contact the
undersigned by phone or by email.
www.cirrus.com/support/ or Field Applications
Engineers.