Bcm89890 Review
We’re going to look back at 100BASE-T1 PHYs like the BCM89890 the same way we look at the CAN transceiver of the 1990s—as the unheralded hero that made the whole revolution possible. It’s not flashy, but without it, your car’s 17 cameras and 5 screens are just a pile of expensive glass and silicon.
Have you used the BCM89890 in a design? Run into any link negotiation quirks? Drop a comment below.
Disclaimer: Broadcom product specifications are subject to change. Always refer to the latest datasheet and errata.
Broadcom BCM89890 is a high-performance automotive Ethernet PHY
designed for next-generation vehicle architectures. It is notable as one of the first transceivers to comply with the IEEE 802.3ch standard
, supporting multi-gigabit speeds over a single shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable. Key Technical Specifications Multi-Gigabit Support : Delivers flexible data rates of 2.5G, 5G, and 10G Enhanced Security : Features integrated 802.1AE MACsec with 128/256-bit AES encryption to protect in-vehicle data. Interfaces : Supports high-speed XFI and PCIe interfaces for seamless connection to host SoCs or switches. Time Sensitivity : Includes PHY timestamping for IEEE 1588 / 802.1AS , making it suitable for synchronized automotive networks. Automotive Grade AEC-Q100 qualified
with low power consumption and stringent EMC compliance over STP. Primary Applications
The BCM89890 is specifically geared toward data-heavy automotive systems, including: ADAS & Autonomous Driving
: Managing high-bandwidth data from [Lidar, 4D Radar, and 4K camera systems](https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/fit-showcases-multi-gig automotive-ethernet-cable-and-connector-solutions-at-designcon-2024/). Infotainment : Supporting high-resolution 4K displays and rear-seat entertainment. Zonal Architecture : Serving as a high-speed link for domain controllers and gateways Professional Assessment
The BCM89890 is a critical component for OEMs transitioning to Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs)
. By providing 10Gbps capacity over a single pair of wires, it reduces cabling weight and complexity while meeting the security demands of modern connected cars. Its integration into media converters, such as those from
, allows for easy point-to-point testing and development in lab environments. pin compatibility with other BCM series or a comparison with standard Ethernet PHYs Vector TechDay Slides Hotel Caravelle October 12 - Scribd
Broadcom BCM89890 is a specialized Ethernet transceiver (PHY) part of the BCM8989X family
, recognized as the world's first IEEE 802.3ch compliant multi-gigabit automotive Ethernet device. It is designed to handle high-bandwidth data demands for modern vehicles, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and infotainment. Core Specifications Standards Compliance : Fully compliant with the IEEE 802.3ch standard, supporting speeds of 2.5G, 5G, and 10G over a single shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable. : Integrates 802.1AE MACsec
with 128/256-bit AES encryption to provide hardware-level security for in-vehicle data. Interfaces : Supports high-speed interfaces for connecting to automotive switches and SoCs. Automotive Qualification
qualified, ensuring reliability under extreme temperatures and the mechanical stresses of a vehicle environment. Key Features for Automotive Design Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) : Includes PHY-level timestamping for
, critical for synchronizing time-critical automotive tasks. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
: Specifically engineered to meet stringent automotive requirements for low EMI/EMC and high noise cancellation. Low Power Consumption
: Designed with multiple low-power modes to reduce the overall energy footprint within the vehicle's electrical system. Common Use Cases ADAS & Autonomous Driving
: Moving high-resolution sensor data from cameras, LIDAR, and radar to central processing units. Infotainment & Telematics bcm89890
: Supporting 4K displays and high-speed external connectivity. Smart Mobility
: Enabling the "software-defined vehicle" architecture by providing a robust, secure data backbone. Integration & Support Software Drivers : Manufacturers like
provide specialized driver packages to support the BCM89890 in automotive testing and development environments. Documentation
Broadcom BCM89890 is a multigigabit Automotive Ethernet Physical Layer (PHY) transceiver. It is notable for being the world's first device compliant with the IEEE 802.3ch
standard, designed specifically to handle high-bandwidth data within modern vehicles. Core Technical Specifications Data Rates: Supports switchable speeds of 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, and 10 Gbps (10G/5G/2.5GBASE-T1). Features integrated 802.1AE MACsec with 128/256-bit AES encryption and BroadR-Secure™ for hardware-based packet authentication. Interfaces:
Optimized for connecting to switch ICs or host SoCs using high-speed interfaces. Compliance: Fully compliant with IEEE 802.3ch and OPEN Alliance TC9 standards for single-pair Ethernet. Key Applications
The chip is primarily used in automotive zonal architectures and high-data-rate systems, including: ADAS & Autonomous Driving:
Connecting high-resolution 4K cameras, Lidar, and 4D radar sensors. Infotainment:
Supporting high-resolution displays and rear-seat entertainment systems.
Acting as a backbone for domain controllers and vehicle gateways. Yahoo Finance Related Hardware & Tools
Because it is a specialized industrial component, the BCM89890 is often found in testing and conversion hardware: Media Converters: Devices like the Inno-Maker T1TX
use the BCM89890 to convert automotive T1 signals to standard RJ45/SFP+ Ethernet for testing with PCs. Network Interfaces: Vector VNmodule60
integrates this chip to provide 10 Gbit/s ports for automotive network simulation and analysis. Optical Links: Systems like the optoLAN-10GBASE-T1
utilize it for EMC functional testing by converting electrical signals to optical fiber to avoid electromagnetic interference. Automotive Ethernet PHYs optoLAN 10GBASE-T1 BCM89890
The Broadcom BCM89890 is a high-performance, multi-gigabit Automotive Ethernet PHY transceiver and the industry's first to fully comply with the IEEE 802.3ch standard. It is designed to handle the massive data requirements of modern vehicles, such as autonomous driving sensors (Lidar/Radar) and high-resolution infotainment systems. ## Core Specifications Data Rates: Supports 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, and 10 Gbps speeds.
Protocol: Fully compliant with IEEE 802.3ch (10G/5G/2.5GBASE-T1).
Cabling: Operates over a single pair of Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) cables up to 15 meters.
Host Interfaces: Supports high-speed XFI and PCIe for connecting to SoCs or switches.
Security: Integrated 802.1AE MACsec with 128/256-bit AES encryption for secure data transmission. ## Key Features We’re going to look back at 100BASE-T1 PHYs
Automotive Grade: AEC-Q100 qualified for extreme vehicle environments.
EMC/EMI Performance: Designed to meet stringent automotive noise cancellation and jitter requirements.
Precision Timing: Includes PHY timestamping for IEEE 1588 and 802.1AS (Time-Sensitive Networking).
Power Efficiency: Features multiple low-power modes to reduce energy consumption.
Fast Link-Up: Optimized for time-critical automotive startups. ## Primary Applications
ADAS & Autonomous Driving: High-bandwidth links for 4K cameras, Lidar, and 4D Radar.
Zonal Architecture: Acts as the backbone for domain controllers and automotive gateways.
Infotainment: Powers 4K displays and rear-seat entertainment systems.
Telematics: Reliable connectivity for V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communications. ## Related Hardware
Media Converters: Companies like InnoMaker produce tools that convert BCM89890 signals (T1) to standard RJ45/SFP+ for testing.
Testing Systems: The optoLAN BCM89890 is a digital bidirectional optical transmission device used for EMC testing of these transceivers.
The Broadcom BCM89890 is a high-performance, multigigabit Ethernet transceiver (PHY) specifically designed for automotive applications. It belongs to the BCM8989X family and is recognized as the world's first IEEE 802.3ch-compliant device of its kind. Key Specifications and Features
The BCM89890 is engineered to handle the high-speed data demands of modern vehicles while maintaining automotive-grade reliability.
Multigigabit Support: Fully compliant with the IEEE 802.3ch standard, supporting data rates of 10G, 5G, and 2.5GBASE-T1 over a single pair of shielded twisted-pair (STP) cables.
Integrated Security: Features built-in 802.1AE MACsec with 128/256-bit AES encryption, providing hardware-level security to protect in-vehicle data from cyberattacks and breaches.
Optimized Interfaces: Supports high-speed PCIe and XFI interfaces, which are optimized for seamless connection to host SoCs or automotive switch ICs.
Precision Timing: Includes PHY timestamping support for IEEE 1588 and 802.1AS, essential for time-sensitive networking (TSN) applications.
Automotive Grade: The device is AEC-Q100 qualified, ensuring it meets stringent requirements for electromagnetic interference (EMI), noise cancellation, and operation in harsh environments. Primary Applications
As vehicles move toward software-defined architectures, the BCM89890 serves as a critical backbone for high-bandwidth systems: Once you've written your draft: In the rapidly
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Providing the necessary bandwidth for high-resolution sensors and cameras.
Infotainment & Telematics: Supporting data-intensive entertainment systems and external vehicle communications.
Zonal Architecture: Acting as a high-speed gateway or ECU-to-ECU backbone for decentralized vehicle processing. Implementation and Support
For developers and engineers, technical documentation including data sheets and reference manuals for the BCM89890 can typically be accessed through Broadcom's docSAFE portal. Additionally, the chip is supported by automotive testing tools such as the Vector VN5000 Ethernet interface family for monitoring and simulation. BCM89890 | Multigigabit Automotive Ethernet PHY with MACsec
Broadcom BCM89890 is a multigigabit automotive Ethernet Physical Layer (PHY) transceiver specifically designed for high-bandwidth, secure in-vehicle networking. It was notable for being the industry's first PHY to comply with the IEEE 802.3ch standard for automotive multigigabit Ethernet. Key Technical Specifications
The BCM89890 provides the infrastructure for high-speed data transmission required by modern vehicle systems like ADAS, infotainment, and central gateways. Supported Data Rates: It offers flexible connectivity with support for 10GBASE-T1
speeds over a single pair of unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) copper cable. Features integrated 802.1AE MACsec
with 128/256-bit AES encryption to secure data moving between Electronic Control Units (ECUs). Interfaces:
Optimized for high-speed connections to switch ICs or host SoCs using interfaces. Reliability: AEC-Q100 qualified
, meeting stringent automotive requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and extreme temperature operation. Primary Applications The chip is a critical component for Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) , where high-speed backbone communication is essential for: Autonomous Driving (ADAS):
Processing massive amounts of sensor data from cameras, LIDAR, and RADAR in real-time. Zonal Architecture:
Acts as a high-speed link in new zonal wiring designs that reduce cable weight and complexity. Infotainment & Telematics:
Supporting ultra-high-definition displays and complex connected services. Vehicle Gateways: Managing data traffic between different vehicle domains. Usage Notes Control Protocol: Development boards using the BCM89890 often require the MDIO Clause 45 (C45)
protocol for register access, which is standard for 10G PHYs. It is designed to work with cable assemblies up to
long, supporting up to four in-line connectors, which is a standard requirement for large vehicle platforms.
More detailed technical documentation and drivers can be requested through the Broadcom Customer Support Portal or by contacting a local Broadcom sales representative. for this chip or compare it to other Broadcom automotive PHYs like the BCM89880? BCM89890 | Multigigabit Automotive Ethernet PHY with MACsec
BCM89890 | Multigigabit Automotive Ethernet PHY with MACsec. LS1046 Dual 10G XFI PHY MDIO problem - NXP Community
Hi, On my customized board, i have a Broadcom BCM89890 10g phy connected to XFI. 9 and a Marvell AQR113C 10g phy connected to XFI. NXP Community
Once you've written your draft:
In the rapidly evolving landscape of automotive electronics, the shift from traditional Controller Area Network (CAN) and Local Interconnect Network (LIN) protocols to high-speed Ethernet is undeniable. At the heart of this transformation lie specialized physical layer transceivers (PHYs). Among these, the BCM89890 from Broadcom stands out as a critical enabler for next-generation vehicle architectures. This article provides a comprehensive technical overview, application analysis, and design guide for the BCM89890, focusing on why it has become a go-to solution for automotive engineers.
The BCM89890 is not a general-purpose chip; it is targeted precisely at specific automotive domains: