Ethernet PHY... I agree, a microcontroller with MAC but no PHY is nearly=20 pointless. Adding the PHY chip is cost, boardspace, and hassle. I would imagine a 10/100 PHY is not a simple thing and may require more=20 expensive/alternative/additional steps chip manufacturing process (for=20 the analog) than is needed otherwise. It seems like a MAC but no PHY is=20 splitting the difference between no ethernet and the full implementation=20 that is what the designer actually needs, but in so doing people who=20 don't need ethernet are possibly paying for the MAC and those that do=20 need ethernet still have to pay for the PHY. I guess the benefit is that the vendors can claim ethernet and if=20 someone has an existing design and wants to add ethernet it is an easier=20 route to trade up within the same vendor's chip lineup than starting all=20 over with another vendor. Or maybe vendors assume the volume designers/buyers already have PHY +=20 magnetics solution (the transformers required depends on the PHY in my=20 limited understanding) in-house in volume from other existing designs=20 and can just re-use that design. The Stellaris (luminary micro, bought by TI) have a nice lineup of=20 10/100 ethernet MAC & PHY integrated parts. I'm using the LM3S6918 in a=20 new design and used the LM3S6965 (I think it is) eval board for=20 low-volume quick projects. J William "Chops" Westfield wrote: > > On Jan 24, 2011, at 4:52 PM, Neil Cherry wrote: > >>> if it uses the ENC28J60 straight to SPI, without an >>> on board micro to handle the Ethernet stack, then you need >>> Microchips Ethernet stack >>> anyway, and that won't fit a small micro > > There is this: http://hackaday.com/2008/09/25/web-server-on-a-business-ca= rd-part-2/ > I don't think anyone is selling it pre-made, though. > > It is annoying that the PIC32 options (and in fact MANY other vendors' > ethernet-enabled chips) do not have a built-in PHY. > > BillW > --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .