US semiconductor manufacturer Microchip Technology has launched a new generation of Optical Ethernet PHY transceivers designed to deliver higher-speed, long-distance connectivity for industrial and enterprise networks, with built-in encryption and precision time synchronisation features.
The new devices, which operate at data rates of up to 25 Gbps, are aimed at applications such as smart factories, robotics, telecommunications and remote monitoring systems that require secure, deterministic communication over extended fibre links.
Microchip said the transceivers, which support link lengths of up to 10 km over single-mode fibre, integrate IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and Media Access Control Security (MACsec) encryption. The inclusion of PTP enables sub-nanosecond synchronisation accuracy between distributed network nodes — a critical requirement for time-sensitive processes in industrial automation and telecoms infrastructure.
“Adding PTP or MACsec has traditionally required significant redesign of network systems,” said Charlie Forni, Corporate Vice President of Microchip’s networking and connectivity division. “By integrating these capabilities directly into our transceivers, we help engineers build smarter, more secure and scalable networks without overhauling their core designs.”
The new products span dual- and quad-port variants across 10 Gbps and 25 Gbps speed grades, offering options with PTP, MACsec, or both. They are intended for use in data-intensive environments such as data centres, campus networks and industrial automation systems.
Microchip said the hardware-based MACsec implementation protects against cyberattacks including eavesdropping, spoofing and denial-of-service, ensuring the integrity of Ethernet traffic between devices.
The company’s broader Ethernet portfolio now covers speeds from 10 Mbps to 25 Gbps, encompassing copper, optical and single-pair Ethernet solutions for industrial, automotive and embedded markets.
The new Optical Ethernet PHY transceivers are available for purchase in production quantities, supported by a dedicated evaluation kit to simplify design and testing.
Microchip Technology, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, supplies semiconductors and development tools across the industrial, automotive, communications, aerospace and computing sectors.
