The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming data centers,
creating an unprecedented demand for high-performance, secure, reliable and innovative solutions.
Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) is addressing these evolving market needs by developing advanced
technologies for data center connectivity, storage and data retrieval. Microchip’s data center ecosystem
includes a comprehensive portfolio of enabling technologies for workload acceleration, power
management, device performance, optimization and control. This ecosystem helps data centers meet the
scalability, security and performance challenges of today’s dynamic technology requirements.
Microchip’s portfolio includes high-speed interconnect and storage technologies such as Gen 3, Gen 4 and
Gen 5 PCIe® switches—with Gen 6 and Gen 7 technologies in development—Non-Volatile Memory Express
(NVMe®), storage and RAID controllers with hardware-based security for enhanced data protection. For
connectivity, Microchip offers retimers and Ethernet PHYs to optimize interconnect functionality. Its power
management, system monitoring and precise timing solutions are designed to deliver dependable,
adaptable and energy-efficient operations for enterprise and hyperscale data center environments.
New and recently released data center solutions:
800G Active Electrical Cable (AEC) Reference Design
The reference design features the META-DX2C 800G retimer with 112G SerDes and is a
comprehensive solution to reduce development time, cost and complexity for creating 800G AEC
solutions for generative AI networks.
It includes an integrated software package implementing the CMIS 5.2 specification on a Microchip
32-bit microcontroller to streamline the development of Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Double
Density (QSFP-DD) and Octal Small Form-factor Pluggable (OSFP) AEC cable products.
META-DX2+ Ethernet Physical Layer Transceivers (PHYs) with Lambda Splitting
This solution improves Data Center Interconnect (DCI) by maximizing fiber utilization, enabling
support for high-speed AI workloads.
The Lambda Splitting technique works along with coherent optics to distribute traffic across
multiple wavelengths, significantly reducing costs and boosting bandwidth efficiency by up to 50%.
LAN9646 6-Port Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Switch with SGMII Interface
This 6-port GbE switch with four integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T PHYs supports multiple interface
options, including SGMII, RGMII, MII and RMII, making it adaptable for a wide range of networking
applications.
It provides full VLAN and Quality of Service (QoS) support for efficient traffic management and
prioritization. It also provides flexible management interface options—such as SPI, I 2 C and
MIIM—and is compatible with Linux® DSA.
Capable of operating within industrial temperature ranges (−40°C to +85°C), the LAN9646 is
designed for applications such as stand-alone Ethernet networks, broadband gateways, security
and surveillance systems, industrial automation and networked test and measurement equipment.
High-Performance, High-Density Power Module
The MCPF1412 high-density power module delivers up to 12A of current to a load within a voltage
range of 0.6V to 1.8V, while operating from a 16V input. Measuring just 5.8 mm × 4.9 mm × 1.6
mm, this module is optimized for space-constrained applications.
It is engineered to provide optimal power efficiency while minimizing energy loss, which is critical
for modern, power-sensitive applications.
Its I 2 C and PMBus® interfaces offer significant flexibility for system configuration, real-time
monitoring and precise control and adaptability for a wide range of applications.
Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) for Efficient Power Supply
dsPIC33A DSCs offer higher clock speeds and advanced control algorithms to enable faster response
times and improved energy efficiency for data centers and AI servers.
Their diagnostic capabilities improve reliability and operational integrity, alongside integrated
cryptographic algorithms for firmware attestation and device authentication to help safeguard
against tampering and spoofing.
Designed to handle fluctuating power demands, dsPIC33A DSCs increase efficiency and stability in
critical applications like power factor correction, resonant converters and synchronous rectification,
meeting the high-performance needs of modern data centers.
Microprocessors (MPUs) for OpenBMC
These MPUs enable robust Auxiliary Management Control (AMC) in data center subsystems,
including power shelves, enterprise storage, JBOD, cooling systems and chassis management.
Features include Redfish® protocol (RESTful interface) support, out-of-band management for real-
time monitoring, logging and alerting of system health, secure/encrypted data transmission and
support for firmware updates and remote reboots.
Designed to streamline data center management, Microchip’s OpenBMC solutions provide essential
tools for remote management, system power monitoring and secure updates for reliable and
efficient infrastructure management.
“AI is revolutionizing all aspects of the digital landscape and data centers face growing demands for
security, AI workload acceleration, system efficiency and reliability,” said Brian McCarson, corporate vice
president of Microchip’s data center solutions business unit. “Microchip is committed to delivering the
essential building blocks needed to address the technology challenges of modern data centers. From
accelerating high-speed connectivity and storage rates to optimizing power and management systems, our
innovations are designed to support next-generation AI workloads and deliver scalability for our
customers.”
Microchip’s data center solutions include a comprehensive portfolio of Secure Root of Trust Controllers
designed to protect system integrity. These controllers take control at power-up, verifying firmware stored
in external Flash before it is executed by the system’s CPUs and GPUs, helping prevent unauthorized code
execution. Beyond the boot process, they monitor system activity, authenticate auxiliary components such
as network interface cards (NICs), host bus adapters (HBAs) and solid-state drives (SSDs), and key system
elements like power supplies and RAID configurations. Additionally, the controllers are designed to enable
secure system ownership transfer and support robust lifecycle management.