REF_SPE_T1S: A new reference design platform enabling the transition to Single-Pair Ethernet technology
REF_SPE_T1S is a system-level reference platform developed through a joint collaboration between Arrow, Microchip, Bourns, and Amphenol. This platform is intended to showcase the performance advantages of Bourns® integrated SPE magnetics, enabling engineers to evaluate signal integrity, EMC behavior, and noise immunity in real‑world applications. It provides a live demonstration of how proper isolation transformer and common mode choke design directly impacts SPE network robustness.
SPE performance is defined not only by the PHY - but by the quality of the magnetic interface that connects it to the cable. Built around Microchip’s LAN8670 10BASE-T1S PHY and fully IEC 63171-6 compatible SPE connector from Amphenol (MSPEJ2L0B01), this evaluation board demonstrates how Bourns® integrated isolation transformer and common-mode choke (CMC) magnetics (Model SM91081AL) play a critical role at the physical layer. By significantly improving common-mode noise rejection and galvanic isolation especially at low frequencies, the board helps maintain signal integrity and connection stability in electrically noisy industrial and building-automation environments.
Advancing Industrial Connectivity
As industries transition away from legacy systems like CAN or RS-485, there is an increasing requirement for reliable Ethernet connectivity at the "edge," including sensors and actuators. By utilising an integrated transformer design instead of traditional capacitor-only isolation approaches, this evaluation board offers improved signal clarity and connectivity, particularly through superior low-frequency noise attenuation and enhanced immunity to conducted and radiated interference.
This approach provides a necessary margin for error against the electrical noise common in industrial settings and supports improved EMC and emissions performance, helping design engineers to meet regulatory compliance requirements more efficiently.
Evaluation and Implementation
Whether intended for factory automation, HVAC systems, or building controls, this USB-powered platform provides a live demonstration of network robustness. Engineers can directly compare transformer-based isolation against capacitor isolation, observe common-mode noise suppression behaviour, and evaluate EMC and emissions performance.
Arrow provides this tool as a reference schematic solution for new designs which also allows designers to measure network stability in both point-to-point and multidrop 10BASE-T1S configurations, validating network stability and SPE channel performance before a final product design is finalised.
Key features
- Significantly improved common‑mode noise rejection
- Superior low‑frequency noise attenuation
- Enhanced immunity to conducted and radiated interference
- Improved emissions margin versus capacitor‑only isolation
Evaluation capabilities
- Compare transformer‑based isolation vs capacitor isolation
- Observe common‑mode noise suppression behavior
- Evaluate EMC and emissions performance
- Measure network stability in multidrop configurations
- Validate SPE channel performance
Main applications
- Industrial automation sensors and actuators
- Building control and HVAC systems
- Factory edge devices
- Embedded controllers migrating from CAN or RS‑485
- Ethernet‑enabled field instrumentation
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Ethernet Standard | IEEE 802.3cg — 10BASE‑T1S |
| Magnetic Solution | SM91081AL Integrated Choke / Transformer |
| Isolation Method | Transformer‑based galvanic isolation |
| Network Topology | Multidrop or point‑to‑point |
| Power | USB powered |
| Interface | USB to SPE |
PCB & Schematics & Samples
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