VSC8490YJU-17 - Dual-Port 10GbE PHY XFI/SFI to XAUI | Microchip
MPN: VSC8490YJU-17 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $95.47 | $95.47 |
| 10 | $88.2 | $882.00 |
| 100 | $78.5 | $7,850.00 |
| 500 | $71.4 | $35,700.00 |
| 1,000 | $65.8 | $65,800.00 |
VSC8490YJU-17 Overview
What is a 10G Ethernet PHY/transceiver? A PHY (Physical Layer device) is the interface between the digital MAC layer and the analog serial electrical/optical medium. Transceivers like the VSC8490YJU-17 sit at the boundary of a line card or switch, performing serialization, clock-data recovery (CDR), and equalization. The VSC8490YJU-17 additionally integrates MACsec line-rate encryption and IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping, which makes it a "secure PHY" rather than a bare transceiver. It belongs to the product-type hierarchy: PHY -> Ethernet transceiver -> 10G Ethernet -> networking IC -> semiconductor.
Key features include dual-port 10G operation, 1588 hardware timestamping for PTP/PTPv2, integrated MACsec encryption (IEEE 802.1AE with AES-128/256), SFP+ SR/LR/ER/ZR fiber support per SFF-8431, EDC (Electronic Dispersion Compensation) for backplane and direct-attach copper (DAC) cabling, KR-compatible adaptive equalization, and MDIO/I2C management interfaces. SPI management is supported for host configuration. The 15x15 mm FCBGA footprint allows routing of 10G SERDES traces while maintaining signal integrity.
Architecturally, the VSC8490YJU-17 uses Microchip's proven mixed-signal SERDES core with adaptive equalization, baseline-wander correction, and low-jitter PLL synthesis to meet IEEE 802.3ae 10GBASE-R compliance. Hardware latency for cut-through switching is deterministic, which makes MACsec and 1588 timestamping accurate enough for financial trading and telecom backhaul.
Typical applications include 10G Ethernet switches, optical transport platforms (OTN/WDM), router line cards, enterprise aggregation switches, data-center top-of-rack (ToR) and leaf-spine fabrics, and test-and-measurement equipment that needs 10G inline encryption. The device is well-suited for SFP+ SR/LR/ER/ZR optical modules and backplane Ethernet.
When designing with this part, take special care of the 196-ball FCBGA PCB breakout, controlled-impedance 100-ohm differential SERDES routing, and clean 1.0 V / 1.2 V power rails. Reference Microchip application note guidance for MACsec key-management integration and 1588 grandmaster configuration.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, drop-in alternative review, and practical design considerations not contained in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for VSC8490YJU-17 — 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 VSC8490YJU-17 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Function, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
VSC8490YJU-13
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
VSC8490YJU-19
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
VSC8491YJU-17
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
VSC8489YJP-17
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
VSC8494YJU-17
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
VSC8490YJU-17 Specifications
| Function | Dual-port 10GbE PHY (XFI/SFI to XAUI) |
| Number of Circuits | 2 |
| Data Rate | 1 Gbps / 10 Gbps per port |
| Host-side Interface | (R)XAUI per port |
| Line-side Interface | XFI / SFI per port |
| Protocol Support | IEEE 802.3ae 10GBASE-R, IEEE 802.1AE MACsec, IEEE 1588 |
| MACsec Encryption | AES-128 / AES-256 line-rate |
| 1588 Timestamping | Hardware PTPv1 / PTPv2 per IEEE 1588 |
| Fiber Support | SFP+ SR / LR / ER / ZR |
| Backplane Support | 10GBASE-KR with EDC and adaptive equalization |
| Supply Voltage | 1.0 V / 1.2 V |
| Supply Type | Single |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Package | 196-FCBGA (15x15 mm) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per Microchip product page) |
VSC8490YJU-17 196-fcbga (15x15 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for VSC8490YJU-17 (196-fcbga (15x15 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 VSC8490YJU-17.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
VSC8490YJU-17 is suitable for 7 applications: 10G Ethernet Switch Line Cards, SFP+ Optical Module Host Cards, Electrical Backplane 10G Links, Telecom / OTN Transport Platforms, Data-Center Leaf-Spine Switches, Network Test & Measurement Equipment, Industrial & Defense Secure Networking.
10G Ethernet Switch Line Cards
The VSC8490YJU-17's dual 10G XAUI ports and integrated MACsec make it a strong fit for 10G aggregation switch line cards. The 196-FCBGA (15x15 mm) package places two 10G PHYs plus hardware AES-128/256 encryption on a compact footprint, helping OEM switch vendors reduce PCB area per port. Hardware 1588 timestamping enables PTP boundary-clock or transparent-clock operation across the switch without burdening the host CPU. Designers benefit from Microchip's reference line-card design files and MDIO-managed PHY integration, accelerating time to production. Compared to a discrete PHY plus external MACsec engine, the VSC8490YJU-17 lowers BOM cost and simplifies compliance with IEEE 802.1AE traffic-secrecy requirements.
Recommended
SFP+ Optical Module Host Cards
Per Microchip's product family description, the VSC8490YJU-17 is "ideal for SFP+ host card applications" including SR, LR, ER, and ZR fiber modules. The on-chip EDC (Electronic Dispersion Compensation) supports long-reach and high-loss optical links while adaptive equalization handles direct-attach copper (DAC) cables. For host cards requiring 10GBASE-SR/LR throughput, two SFP+ cages can be driven from one VSC8490YJU-17, halving the PHY count and easing PCB routing. Integrated 1588 timestamping is critical for mobile fronthaul (e.g., CPRI/eCPRI) where nanosecond-accurate sync underlay traffic must be preserved.
Recommended
Electrical Backplane 10G Links
The VSC8490YJU-17 supports 10GBASE-KR with adaptive equalization for backplane and direct-attach copper traces per the VSC8489/VSC8490/VSC8491 family datasheet. Its EDC core compensates for insertion-loss budgets up to long FR4 backplanes, allowing system designers to reuse existing backplane infrastructure at 10G speeds. The integrated MACsec engine provides line-rate encryption across the backplane, ideal for defense, financial-trading, and carrier networks where MAC-layer encryption is mandated. Two independent MACsec-secured backplane links per chip reduce the number of SERDES lanes the host ASIC must expose, simplifying ASIC-to-line-card interconnects.
Recommended
Telecom / OTN Transport Platforms
Optical Transport Networks (OTN/OTU2/OTU4) depend on 10G client interfaces with strict latency budgets, and the VSC8490YJU-17's deterministic MACsec/1588 latency fits transport-platform requirements. The hardware IEEE 1588 timestamping aligns OTN client and line timing without consuming FPGA/ASIC MAC cycles, while MACsec protects the optical layer against tapping on shared fiber. The 15x15 FCBGA accommodates high-density 10G muxponder/ponder card designs. Reference designs typically pair the PHY with an OTN framer and a PTP grandmaster clock for full telecom-feature compliance.
Recommended
Data-Center Leaf-Spine Switches
Modern data-center leaf-spine fabrics require 10G aggregation at low power per port, exactly the role the VSC8490YJU-17 fills. Each chip handles two 10G SFP+ ports with hardware encryption, and the 196-FCBGA allows dense layout on 1U/2U switches. Hardware MACsec enables zero-trust east-west traffic without burdening the host switch CPU, freeing CPU cycles for routing/switching workloads. IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping keeps the fabric synchronized for accurate telemetry, log correlation, and latency-sensitive financial workloads typical of modern DC environments.
Recommended
Network Test & Measurement Equipment
Test-and-measurement equipment (network taps, packet generators, inline monitors) needs a transparent 10G PHY with hardware timestamping and per-packet encryption visibility, which the VSC8490YJU-17 provides. Engineers can intercept SFP+ fibers, decrypt MACsec traffic for analysis using the documented bypass modes, and apply 1588 timestamps to packet captures for accurate latency reporting. The dual-port density allows a single chip to monitor both directions of a full-duplex link. Low deterministic latency makes it suitable for inline network-emulation and impairment-emulation platforms.
Recommended
Industrial & Defense Secure Networking
Industrial Ethernet and defense networks require deterministic 10G backbones with mandatory link-layer encryption; the VSC8490YJU-17 with -19 temperature grade supports industrial-grade operation. Hardware MACsec (IEEE 802.1AE) provides NIST-grade AES-128/256 encryption at line rate, while IEEE 1588 hardware timestamping delivers synchronized control across the network. The 196-FCBGA industrial footprint and -40C to +85C (extended) operation suit outdoor enclosures and ruggedized platforms. Long product life cycle and Microchip's extended temperature support simplify defense-program procurement.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for VSC8490YJU-17 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | VSC8490YJU-13 | VSC8490YJU-19 | VSC8491YJU-17 | VSC8489YJP-17 | VSC8494YJU-17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 196-FCBGA (15x15 mm) | 196-FCBGA (15x15 mm) - same | 196-FCBGA (15x15 mm) - same | 196-FCBGA (15x15 mm) - same | 196-FCBGA (15x15 mm) - same | 196-FCBGA (15x15 mm) - same |
| Number of 10G Ports | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| MACsec Encryption | AES-128 / AES-256 | Disabled | AES-128 / AES-256 | AES-128 / AES-256 | Reduced | AES-128 / AES-256 |
| 1588 Hardware Timestamping | Yes (PTPv1/v2) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supply Voltage | 1.0 V / 1.2 V | 1.0 V / 1.2 V | 1.0 V / 1.2 V | 1.0 V / 1.2 V | 1.0 V / 1.2 V | 1.0 V / 1.2 V |
| Temperature Grade | Commercial (extended optional) | Commercial | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Commercial | Commercial | Industrial |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated hardware MACsec AES-128/256 (vs VSC8490YJU-13)
- Extended industrial temperature grade option (vs VSC8490YJU-17)
- Dual-port density vs single-port VSC8491 (vs VSC8491YJU-17)
Design Notes
The 196-FCBGA (15x15 mm) package has a 1.0 mm or 1.27 mm ball pitch (verify against Microchip datasheet mechanical drawings). Use a high-density 6+ layer stack-up with low-loss dielectric (e.g. MEGTRON 6) to keep SERDES insertion loss within budget. Route each XFI/SFI lane as 100-ohm differential with matched length and continuous reference planes.
Place 0.1 uF and 1 uF X5R/X7R decoupling capacitors as close as possible to every power pin on the 196-ball FCBGA. Provide separate 1.0 V and 1.2 V planes with ferrite beads to isolate noisy digital sections from the SERDES PLL supply. Reference Microchip's hardware-design checklist for the recommended decoupling topology and bulk-cap placement.
Use AC-coupling capacitors (0.1 uF) on each SERDES lane output per IEEE 802.3ae. For 10GBASE-KR backplane links, follow the link-training (LT) and adaptive-equalization flow described in the VSC8490 family datasheet, including pre-emphasis and receiver-CTLE settings. Validate with a 3D-EM field solver or measured S-parameter sweeps.
Do not enable MACsec without first configuring the key-management interface; the -13 part variant disables MACsec. Estimated: confirm extended-grade availability (-19 suffix) and clock-input jitter before locking the schematic in for industrial designs. Ensure MDIO addresses are unique on the management bus to avoid conflicts with adjacent PHYs.
Estimated: at full dual-port 10G load with MACsec enabled, junction temperature can rise significantly. Use the FCBGA thermal pad with multiple thermal vias to a dedicated inner/outer ground plane. For industrial designs, use the -19 variant and derate per the datasheet theta-JA.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Microchip VSC8490 product page. REACH/halogen-free/conflict-minerals not explicitly disclosed in the verified distributor data; AEC-Q100 is not applicable as this is a telecom/datacom interface IC, not automotive-grade.
