GA
Industrial Ethernet switch
An industrial Ethernet switch interconnects devices in the specified communication network.
GA objects
Symbols · PHY
Ethernet physical-layer transceiver
In plain English
What does Ethernet physical-layer transceiver mean?
An Ethernet PHY handles the electrical signalling of the selected Ethernet physical link.
A simple example
A network controller can connect through a PHY and its associated interface components to a cable.
What the drawings help you do
Draw the link between the network controller and PHY separately from the cable-side interface. The PHY handles the physical signalling of the chosen Ethernet variant. The connector, magnetics where required, cable and controller interface still have to match the selected design.
- PHY
- Physical-layer circuitry that sends and receives a selected link’s electrical signals.
- MAC
- Media-access control, a separate part of an Ethernet communication implementation.
Before using this reference
- Identify the supported Ethernet physical-layer variant.
- Show the selected controller-to-PHY interface.
- Reference connector, cable and line-interface requirements.
Does a PHY make a complete Ethernet switch?
No. A switch needs the selected switching functions and ports in addition to physical interfaces. A PHY alone does not provide routing or the application running on a networked device.
Read the source: Ethernet physical interfaces
Schematic · PHY
A distinction that matters
A PHY is not a complete Ethernet switch, router or application controller.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
Ethernet physical interfaces
Ethernet physical interfaces: public technical context for the named function. Product and compliance details remain with the publisher.
About this graphic
This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.
SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.
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