Product category: Design and Development Software
News Release from: National Semiconductor | Subject: Ethernet Made Easy
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 18 November 2004
Website makes Ethernet design easy
Ethernet Made Easy is the semiconductor industry's first web environment for designers developing Ethernet solutions for traditional broad market networking applications and connected devices.
Ethernet Made Easy is the semiconductor industry's first web environment for designers developing Ethernet solutions for traditional broad market networking applications and connected devices The web tool leads a designer from instruction, selection, design and review to samples and purchase of evaluation platforms
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 5 Jan 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The free site provides educational basics about Ethernet connectivity and enables designers to select a component, create and validate a design, and order samples from National's broad range of high-performance, low-power, feature-rich MacPhyter, DsPhyter and GigPhyter product lines.
The web tool reduces the time, effort and expense of Ethernet development and allows designers to shorten design cycles.
"National has created a comprehensive support tool that makes developing Ethernet products painless", said Rick Smith, Senior Area Technical Manager for Future Electronics.
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"Our customers no longer have to tediously search the Internet for information on device drivers and application notes".
"Everything a designer may need is available in the Ethernet Made Easy online design tool, including solutions for embedded interfaces and online schematic review".
The Ethernet Made Easy online design tool contains a tutorial, product information, and online design review and application support.
All elements of the tool are arranged in an easy, step-by-step sequence, which greatly simplifies the selection and design-in process.
By visiting ethernet.national.com, designers are able to create an application and have the board-level design evaluated quickly, cutting design time from weeks to just a few days.
"The tool is definitely a quick and easy way for engineers to select the right product for the application", said James Rooks, Field Applications Engineer for Arrow Electronics.
"The online review process is an added benefit, providing less experienced engineers with the seasoned technical review the design may need".
The website tutorial explains the basics for designers new to Ethernet connectivity development.
Once an engineer selects the speed and integration level required, the best product for the specific application is presented.
Online resources are provided along with the recommended product to help the designer complete their design.
These resources include reference designs based on leading microcontroller manufacturers such as IBM, Freescale and Renesas.
Other resources available include product data sheets, application notes, IBIS models, OrCAD symbols and one of the broadest suites of drivers available.
Finally, the design is reviewed in just 48 hours by a member of National's online application support centre to determine if the board-level design is robust and will be easy to manufacture.
"National Semiconductor continues to raise the bar with high-value, design-oriented web portal tools".
"There is no better example of this than the new Ethernet Made Easy online design tool", said Cary Eskow, Director of Technical Programmes for Avnet "In today's time-to-market environment, National's portal and nationwide distribution team combine to bring high-performance solutions to market - faster".
National's Ethernet Made Easy online design tool is located at http://ethernet.national.com.
Upcoming enhancements will include: driver implementation help; product information including transformers, oscillators, and crystals from National's partners; OrCAD schematic source files of reference designs; and an online register tool to aid in troubleshooting and configuration.
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