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The AX88180 is a high-performance, low-cost Non-PCI Gigabit Ethernet controller developed by ASIX Electronics in Taiwan. It supports the IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, and IEEE 802.3ab standards, making it ideal for embedded systems that require fast and reliable network connectivity. Its applications span across various fields such as streaming media, multimedia networks, and high-bandwidth data transmission. Common use cases include audio and video distribution, IP set-top boxes, digital recorders, DVD players, high-definition TVs, digital media adapters, home gateways, and IP-based television systems. Internally, the AX88180 features a 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Media Access Controller (MAC) along with an RGMII interface connected to the PHY. It also includes a host interface controller that can be easily integrated with 16/32-bit hosts, operating similarly to SRAM. The chip has a built-in 40KB SRAM buffer for network packets, with 32KB allocated for receiving data from the PHY and 8KB for sending data to the PHY. This allows efficient storage, retrieval, and modification of data packets. Additionally, there is a 256-byte configuration register for host control and parameter settings, an EEP-ROM interface, and support for IP/TCP/UDP checksum offloads, which significantly reduce the processing load on the microcontroller and improve overall performance. Figure 1 shows the internal block diagram of the AX88180.
The AX88180 has 128 pins, organized into several key interfaces: RGMII, HOST, EEPROM, power, and others. Figure 2 illustrates the pinout of the device, while Tables 1 and 2 detail the functions of the RGMII and HOST interfaces, respectively.
In terms of system architecture, the AX88180 uses a 16/32-bit host interface that connects directly to the embedded microprocessor. The host operates the device like an SRAM, allocating a 64KB memory space for communication. The address range 0000H–7FFFH is used for receiving data, while 8000H–FBFFH is reserved for sending data. When the AX88180 generates an interrupt, the host reads the data and processes it using protocol software. The RXII connection between the AX88180 and the PHY supports full-duplex operation at gigabit speeds, and half-duplex at 10/100 Mbps. Figure 3 presents a block diagram of the system components.
In high-speed data acquisition systems, the AX88180 is often paired with microprocessors like the S3C2440A, a 16/32-bit RISC processor designed for cost-effective and low-power applications. The S3C2440A connects to the AX88180 via a bus interface, with direct connections for address, data, and control signals. The clock signal (40MHz–100MHz) is supplied by the S3C2440A, and the interrupt signal from the AX88180 is connected to EINT11 of the S3C2440A. A simplified RGMII interface is used between the AX88180 and the PHY device 88E1111, with all signals directly connected. Figure 4 shows the application circuit for this setup.
On the software side, the system typically includes a protocol program, driver, and application layer. The protocol stack can be implemented using an embedded OS like Linux. The driver handles initialization, data transmission, and interrupt management. Some drivers are available from the manufacturer, while others need to be written by the user. Below is an example of code used to write to the PHY register in the driver:
In conclusion, the AX88180 offers a powerful yet affordable solution for embedded networking applications. It provides a comprehensive set of features that make it suitable for a wide range of high-speed network designs. This article explores its internal structure, functionality, and practical implementation, offering valuable insights for developers working on embedded systems requiring fast and reliable network access. This website aims to promote advertising services for small and medium-sized businesses. We offer affordable and effective solutions. Feel free to contact us via QQ or email! **Why do you want to do online advertising?**

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