The AG32 can be used for network card design. It natively supports Ethernet MAC (EMAC) and USB FS+OTG functions, enabling network communication without the need for external dedicated chips.
Key Network Function Support:
- Ethernet MAC: Supports RMII/MII interfaces, allowing direct connection to PHY chips (such as the LAN8720 and DP83848) for 10/100M Ethernet communication.
- USB FS+OTG: Supports USB Device, Host, and OTG modes, and can be used for USB-to-Ethernet conversion, USB network cards, debug interfaces, and more.
- Protocol Stack Support: Officially provides Lwip 2.1.0 protocol stack samples (including HTTP Server, TCP Client/Server, etc.), which can be directly used in network application development.
- Flexible Interface Configuration: Built-in CPLD/FPGA logic allows flexible I/O remapping to adapt to different PHY or USB interface layouts.
- Zero-copy DMA pass-through: This is a key feature of high-performance network cards. The AG32's DMA capabilities support efficient data transfer between the MAC and PHY, significantly reducing CPU overhead and improving throughput.
Based on the AG32's unique architecture (MCU + CPLD), in practical applications, customers can use the MCU primarily for mainline program processing and protocol logic, while the CPLD is used to address specialized protocol or timing requirements (hardware acceleration).
The following have been widely adopted in actual customer applications:
- USB-to-Ethernet Module: A customer has implemented a standard USB-to-Ethernet module based on the AG32, using the tinyUSB + Lwip protocol stack. Complete example code is available.
- Energy Storage/Industrial Gateway: In energy storage systems, the AG32 communicates with the EMS system via the Ethernet MAC, supporting TCP/IP remote monitoring.
The AG32 provides a wealth of development resources, including:
- MAC and PHY pin mapping examples based on the VE configuration file;
- The SDK integrates Lwip and tinyUSB, supporting development environments such as VSCode;
- Supports JTAG debugging and OTA updates, facilitating deployment and maintenance.
The AG32 is ideal for low-cost, highly integrated embedded network terminals, such as USB-to-Ethernet adapters, industrial Ethernet gateways, IoT edge nodes, and network-enabled energy storage/sensor controllers.
The AG32 offers several advantages in industrial gateway applications, making it highly competitive in the industrial field:
1. Native Ethernet MAC + USB OTG, providing comprehensive networking capabilities
- An on-chip 10/100M Ethernet MAC (RMII/MII) allows direct connection to a PHY chip (such as the LAN8720), eliminating the need for an external controller.
- Supports USB FS OTG, enabling USB-to-Ethernet conversion, 4G/5G modules, debug interfaces, or local data export.
- The official Lwip protocol stack and demo are available, supporting common industrial protocols such as TCP Server/Client, HTTP, and MQTT.
2. RISC-V + FPGA heterogeneous architecture for powerful edge computing capabilities
- A 248MHz RISC-V core + a 2K LUT FPGA enables:
- Real-time data acquisition and pre-processing (filtering, edge triggering, protocol parsing);
- Custom hardware acceleration modules (such as Modbus RTU/TCP protocol conversion, CRC checksum, and frame parsing);
- Reduces the load on the main CPU and improves system responsiveness.
3. Rich Interfaces, Compatible with Various Industrial Fieldbuses
- 5 UARTs, 2 I²Cs, 1 CAN 2.0, SPI, ADC, DAC, GPIO, and more are available, supporting RS485, CAN, 4-20mA, Modbus, temperature and humidity sensors, and more.
- Remappable digital interfaces support software-configurable pin functions, adapting to different PCB layouts and reducing wiring complexity.
4. High Interference Resistance and Industrial-Grade Reliability
- Customizable port drivers enhance interference resistance for long-distance communications such as RS485/CAN.
- Operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C meets the demands of harsh industrial environments.
- The chip supports code encryption and anti-cracking, protecting gateway firmware and communication protocol stacks.
5. Low Cost + High Integration, Replacing Traditional Multi-Chip Solutions
- A single chip can replace the traditional "MCU + CPLD + PHY + USB controller" combination, significantly reducing BOM costs.
- Pin-compatible with mainstream MCUs such as the GD32F407, enabling quick replacement and upgrades.
6. Mature development ecosystem, rapid implementation
- Providing VSCode development environment support, FreeRTOS porting, and Ethernet/USB protocol stack demos, shortening development cycles.
- Existing proven use cases include industrial sensor gateways, energy storage EMS edge nodes, and Modbus to MQTT protocol converters.