DP83848MSQ/NOPB - 10/100 Ethernet PHY | Texas Instruments
MPN: DP83848MSQ/NOPB ✓ ActiveDP83848MSQ/NOPB Overview
An Ethernet PHY is the physical-layer component in an Ethernet communication system. It converts digital frame data from a MAC or embedded processor into signals suitable for twisted-pair cabling and converts received signals back into digital data. The DP83848M family combines this physical-layer function with MII and RMII host interfaces, enabling connection between an Ethernet medium and an embedded controller through a compact, industry-standard interface.
The device supports 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps operation, automatic crossover through Auto-MDIX, and compatibility with IEEE 802.3 Ethernet requirements. Its small 6 mm × 6 mm, 40-pin WQFN package is intended for industrial controls, building and factory automation, transportation equipment, test instruments, and wireless base stations. Auto-MDIX simplifies cabling by allowing the transceiver to configure its transmit and receive pairs for straight-through or crossover connections without manual software control.
The DP83848x family is designed to provide interoperability and reliable operation over Category 5 cable, with the manufacturer describing performance beyond 137 meters of Cat-V cable. Its MII interface supports designs using a parallel media-independent interface, while RMII reduces the number of host signals required for many embedded Ethernet designs. The choice between MII and RMII affects host-side wiring, firmware configuration, board routing, and the achievable reduction in connector and component count.
Typical implementations connect the DP83848MSQ/NOPB between an embedded Ethernet-capable host and an RJ45 network jack equipped with appropriate magnetics and surge protection. Industrial controllers use it for programmable automation equipment, while test and measurement products use it for network-managed instrumentation. Transportation and wireless base-station designs benefit from the compact package and interoperability-focused implementation.
Designers should follow the manufacturer’s reference layout and interface guidance, including placement of the PHY close to the network connector and controlled routing of differential and clock signals. Decoupling, thermal management, and proper handling of the exposed pad and ground connectivity are central to reliable operation. The complete pin assignments and layout constraints should be taken from the manufacturer datasheet and pin-description tables.
This page organizes the verified device information, practical application context, package details, and qualified comparison points for engineers evaluating the DP83848MSQ/NOPB. It also distinguishes documented characteristics from parameters that require direct confirmation in the datasheet, helping designers plan a qualified Ethernet interface without treating unconfirmed electrical details as design guarantees.
Drop-in alternatives for DP83848MSQ/NOPB — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with DP83848MSQ/NOPB (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Supply Voltage, Supported Data Rates, Automotive Qualification, Cable Support.
DP83848QSQ/NOPB
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →DP83848CVVX
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DP83848TSQ/NOPB
✅ Drop-InContact for price
View Datasheet →DP83848MSQ/NOPB Specifications
| Device Type | Single-port Ethernet physical-layer transceiver |
| Supported Data Rates | 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps |
| Interface Type | MII and RMII |
| Number of Ports | 1 port |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Cable Support | Cat-V |
| Maximum Stated Cable Length | 137 m |
| Auto-MDIX | Supported |
| Package | 40-pin WQFN with exposed pad, 6 mm × 6 mm |
| Terminal Count | 40 pins |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial |
| Mounting Type | Surface mount |
| Clock Output | 25 MHz |
| Ethernet Compliance | IEEE 802.3 |
DP83848MSQ/NOPB 40-pin wqfn with exposed pad, 6 mm × 6 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DP83848MSQ/NOPB (40-pin wqfn with exposed pad, 6 mm × 6 mm package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for DP83848MSQ/NOPB.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DP83848MSQ/NOPB is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Systems, Factory Automation Equipment, Building Automation, Transportation Equipment, Test and Measurement, Wireless Base Station Networking.
Industrial Control Systems
The DP83848MSQ/NOPB fits compact industrial controllers that need a dedicated 10/100 Mbps Ethernet physical layer without allocating a large connector or processor package to the network function. Its MII and RMII interfaces allow the design to connect the PHY to a compatible embedded host, while Auto-MDIX handles straight-through and crossover cables used in control cabinets. The 40-pin WQFN measures 6 mm by 6 mm, helping preserve board area in PLC modules, distributed I/O equipment, and machine controllers. Implement the manufacturer’s reference layout, power decoupling, exposed-pad grounding, and network-magnetics guidance to achieve predictable signal and thermal performance.
Recommended
Factory Automation Equipment
Factory automation equipment benefits from the DP83848MSQ/NOPB because it supports 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps Ethernet in a compact 6 mm × 6 mm WQFN package. A single PHY can serve programmable controllers, sensor gateways, motor-control platforms, and remote I/O modules that exchange operational data with supervisory systems. Auto-MDIX reduces installation complexity when equipment may be connected with either straight-through or crossover cable. The interface choice is important: RMII can simplify connections to embedded processors, while MII provides a broadly understood parallel interface for legacy controllers. Production designs must follow the manufacturer’s grounding, clock, differential-routing, and magnetics recommendations.
Recommended
Building Automation
The DP83848MSQ/NOPB supports connected HVAC controllers, room modules, access-control terminals, and building gateways that use 10/100 Mbps Ethernet for supervisory communication. Its compact WQFN footprint is useful in space-constrained wall-mounted equipment, while Auto-MDIX helps installers connect equipment without manually selecting cable orientation. MII and RMII support give designers flexibility when integrating with different embedded host controllers. For building systems, maintain isolation through compliant network magnetics, follow the recommended separation between analog and digital routing areas, and verify that the complete controller enclosure and cable installation meet applicable environmental requirements.
Recommended
Transportation Equipment
The DP83848MSQ/NOPB can support Ethernet-connected transportation subsystems that need a small, interoperable 10/100 Mbps physical layer. Potential uses include diagnostic interfaces, vehicle-network gateways, trackside controllers, and communication units where copper Ethernet complements other vehicle connectivity methods. The MII and RMII options allow integration with embedded processors, and Auto-MDIX reduces cabling errors during installation and service. Because transportation environments can impose demanding temperature, vibration, EMC, and power-supply conditions, engineers should confirm the complete device qualification and system requirements rather than infer them solely from the commercial ordering description.
Recommended
Test and Measurement
The DP83848MSQ/NOPB is appropriate for network-aware test and measurement equipment that needs a reliable 10/100 Mbps management or data interface. It can connect instruments, data loggers, and automated test systems to a laboratory or industrial network through either MII or RMII. Its small 6 mm × 6 mm package leaves more PCB area for analog channels, precision circuitry, and user interfaces. Auto-MDIX simplifies connection of portable and bench-top products that may be attached to existing network cabling. For low-noise measurement products, keep the PHY and its digital switching activity separated from sensitive analog layouts, follow the reference ground and decoupling arrangement, and verify the complete clock and isolation implementation.
Recommended
Wireless Base Station Networking
The DP83848MSQ/NOPB can provide wired backhaul or service connectivity for wireless base-station and small-cell equipment operating at 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps. It offers a compact Ethernet physical layer for control, monitoring, or management networks while leaving RF and baseband circuitry in separate functional areas. The 40-pin WQFN package supports dense board layouts, and the choice between RMII and MII lets the Ethernet subsystem align with the host processor. Deployment near high-power RF stages requires careful partitioning of power, ground, clock, and signal-return paths. Follow the manufacturer’s layout and magnetics guidance to minimize coupling and maintain deterministic network performance.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DP83848MSQ/NOPB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DP83848QSQ/NOPB | DP83848CVVX | DP83848TSQ/NOPB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments |
| Package | 40-pin WQFN, 6 mm × 6 mm | 40-pin WQFN, 6 mm × 6 mm - same | 40-pin WQFN, 6 mm × 6 mm - same | 40-pin WQFN, 6 mm × 6 mm - same |
| Data Rate | 10/100 Mbps | 10/100 Mbps | 10/100 Mbps | 10/100 Mbps |
| Interface | MII and RMII | MII and RMII | MII and RMII | MII and RMII |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.3 V class | 3.3 V class | 3.3 V class |
| Number of Ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Auto-MDIX | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported |
Key Differentiators
- Commercial-grade ordering option (vs DP83848QSQ/NOPB)
- Compact 6 mm × 6 mm Ethernet PHY footprint (vs DP83848CVVX)
- Integrated Auto-MDIX cable handling (vs DP83848TSQ/NOPB)
Design Notes
Place the DP83848MSQ/NOPB close to the network connector and Ethernet magnetics to minimize differential-pair length and loss. Route the transmit and receive pairs as controlled-impedance, tightly coupled traces with continuous reference planes and avoid splitting planes beneath the pairs. Keep switching nodes and high-current supply paths away from the PHY clock and sensitive input networks.
Use the manufacturer’s exposed-pad and ground-plane construction exactly as specified in the package documentation. Provide a continuous ground reference beneath the WQFN, use a properly sized thermal-via pattern, and connect the exposed pad to the appropriate ground plane. Review the complete pin-description table before assigning signals because the exposed pad is not equivalent to an ordinary numbered perimeter pin.
Do not assume that all DP83848 order codes are interchangeable without checking qualification and ordering attributes. The identified same-package alternatives retain the principal 10/100 Mbps, 3.3 V-class, and MII/RMII characteristics, but automotive qualification and other device-specific requirements can differ. Also do not replace the network magnetics with a generic connector arrangement; isolation, impedance, and surge performance depend on the complete Ethernet implementation.
Follow the manufacturer’s decoupling and power-sequencing recommendations when connecting the 3.0 V to 3.6 V supply. Place local high-frequency bypass capacitance close to the supply and ground pins, keep return-current paths short, and separate noisy digital return currents from analog or low-level signal paths. Verify the host clock and reset arrangement for the selected MII or RMII configuration before releasing the PHY into normal operation.
Compliance Information
The cross-reference identifies the target as commercial grade and DP83848QSQ/NOPB as automotive AEC-Q100 qualified. No separate RoHS, REACH, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict-minerals declaration was identified for the exact ordering code.
