SONIC-16 network interface controller is the second-generation Ethernet controller, specially designed to meet the demands of today's high-end 16-bit systems. Its system interface works with a high-speed DMA that typically consumes less than 8% of the bus bandwidth. Selectable bus modes provide both big-endian and little-endian byte ordering and a clean interface to standard microprocessors. SONIC-16's linked list buffer management system offers maximum flexibility in a variety of environments from PC-oriented adapters to high-speed motherboard designs. Furthermore, SONIC-16 integrates a fully compatible IEEE 802.3 Encoder-Decoder (ENDEC) allowing for a simple 2-chip solution for Ethernet when the SONIC-16 is paired with the DP8392 Coaxial Transceiver Interface. For increased performance, SONIC-16 implements a unique buffer management scheme to efficiently process receive and transmit packets in system memory. No intermediate packet copy is necessary. Receive buffer management uses three areas in memory for (1) allocating additional resources, (2) indicating status information, and (3) buffering packet data. During reception, SONIC-16 stores packets in the buffer area, then indicates receive status and control information in the descriptor area.
The document describes the DP83916 SONIC-16, a second-generation Ethernet Controller designed for 16-bit systems. It features a system interface with high-speed DMA that consumes less than 8% of bus bandwidth and supports both big and little-endian byte ordering.
Key components include an integrated IEEE 802.3 Encoder/Decoder (ENDEC) allowing for a simple two-chip solution when paired with the DP8392 Coaxial Transceiver Interface. The device utilizes a linked-list buffer management system to maximize flexibility in environments ranging from PC-oriented adapters to high-speed motherboard designs.
| Data Bus Width | 16-bit data bus |
|---|---|
| DMA Consumption | Less than 8% of bus bandwidth |
| FIFO Size | 32-byte transmit and receive FIFOs |
| Package Type | 132 PQFP package |
| Technology | Low-power CMOS |
The device performs 10Mb/s Manchester encoding and decoding.
The controller supports complete address filtering for up to 16 physical and/or multicast addresses.
The device includes two independent 32-byte transmit and receive FIFOs.