Kontron PMC240 - Manual (Page 36)

Functional Description PMC240
Page 2 - 4 © 2002 PEP Modular Computers GmbH ID 25270, Rev. 01
2.1.2 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Within the PMC240, the Gigabit Ethernet controller is responsible for providing up to two chan-
nels of full Gigabit Ethernet MAC and PHY layer functionality and for PCI / PCI-X bus interfac-
ing for system communications either direct with a CPU host or via a carrier board to a CPU
host or system master. In addition, there is on-chip SERDES for both Ethernet channels to ser-
vice fiber optic links thus eliminating the need for a separate, external SERDES chip.
Because the design of the PMC240 allows for either of the two Intel® Gigabit Ethernet Control-
lers (82546EB for dual port; 82545EM for single port) to be populated, there are various con-
figurations possible ranging from a single channel copper solution to dual channel fiber optic
solution.
2.1.3 System Interfaces
The PMC240 provides interfacing capability for the following system elements:
• One or two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
• PCI / PCI-X bus interfacing
Ethernet interfacing is achieved either via the CON1(RJ45), CON5 (RJ45), CON6 (SC), or
CON7 (SC) connectors depending on the PMC240 variant in use and the type of network link:
copper or fiber optic. One of the features of the Gigabit Ethernet controller is that it can auto-
matically detect signal polarity so there is no need for using crossover cabling for direct copper
links to a CPU board.
Interfacing to the PCI / PCI-X bus is accomplished via the CON2 (Pn3), CON3 (Pn1), and
CON4 (Pn2) CMC / PMC standard compliant connectors.
2.1.4 On Board Memory
There is 1 Mbit of EEPROM memory available for storing configuration information for use by
the Gigabit Ethernet controller. This EEPROM is factory programmed, and for standard opera-
tion implementations no changes are required. In addition, up to 512 kByte of soldered Flash
memory is available as an option for onboard storage of data or executable binary images.
2.1.5 Monitor and Control
Various LED’s are available depending on the variant in use for monitoring network operation.
Basically there is always the possibility to determine if a link is available (LNK on) and if there
is activity on the link (ACT blinking). In addition, with copper links the operational mode (10,
100, 1000 Mbits) is indicated accordingly whereby when neither the 100 or 1000 LED is on the
operational mode is 10 Mbit. For fiber optic interfaces the mode is always 1000 Mbits.
2.1.6 Software
The PMC240 requires operating system driver software to operated. For the PMC240 drivers
are available for Windows®, Linux®, and VxWorks®.