1G Ethernet Whitebox PHY IP Core – Flexible, Transparent, and Production-Proven Connectivity for Next-Generation SoCs
As Ethernet continues to dominate the landscape of digital communication across industries—from data centers and telecom to automotive and industrial automation—the need for high-speed, reliable, and efficient physical layer (PHY) solutions has never been greater. The 1G Ethernet Whitebox PHY IP Core from T2M-IP is designed to meet these requirements with a highly flexible and transparent approach, empowering system-on-chip (SoC) designers with full control and customization capabilities.
This IP core is a semiconductor intellectual property core that delivers a robust, standards-compliant, and synthesizable solution for implementing 1 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity within ASICs and SoCs. Leveraging a whitebox design approach, it provides access to complete RTL source code, enabling design teams to analyze, modify, and optimize the IP to meet their unique application requirements.
Overview
The 1G Ethernet Whitebox PHY IP is a comprehensive and customizable PHY layer IP core that supports IEEE 802.3 standards for 1000BASE-X, 1000BASE-T, and SGMII. It enables seamless Ethernet communication with high throughput, low latency, and minimal power consumption. Its modular and synthesizable architecture allows easy integration into a wide range of digital designs and across multiple foundries and process nodes.
This whitebox solution stands out in the competitive field of semiconductor IP solutions by removing the black-box constraints typically associated with commercial IP cores. With full source code access and engineering documentation, it empowers semiconductor companies with complete transparency and engineering control over integration, testing, and optimization processes.
Key Features
- IEEE 802.3 Compliant:
Supports key Ethernet standards, including 1000BASE-X, SGMII, and optionally 1000BASE-T with external analog front ends (AFE). - Whitebox Architecture:
Delivered as a synthesizable RTL codebase, providing full visibility and control for customization and verification. - Low Power & High Performance:
Optimized for area efficiency and power consumption, ideal for embedded, automotive, and industrial applications. - Portable Across Foundries:
Designed for ease of migration across different technology nodes (40nm, 28nm, 16nm, 7nm, etc.) and process technologies. - Flexible I/O Options:
Supports RGMII, GMII, SGMII interfaces and customizable clock management for a wide variety of system requirements. - Integrated Testability:
Built-in loopback support, diagnostics, and BIST features for seamless testing, validation, and debugging. - MAC Compatibility:
Interoperable with popular MAC IP cores, enabling plug-and-play integration in various SoC platforms.
Applications Across Industry Segments
The 1G Ethernet Whitebox PHY IP core is purpose-built to serve diverse markets and applications where Ethernet connectivity is crucial:
Automotive Ethernet
In-vehicle networking systems require robust, low-latency communication. This IP core enables reliable data transfer for infotainment systems, ADAS, and control units, supporting technologies like BroadR-Reach™ and other automotive Ethernet standards.
Industrial Automation
Industrial systems demand deterministic communication for real-time control and monitoring. This PHY IP core ensures fault-tolerant and time-sensitive networking (TSN) features for Industry 4.0, SCADA systems, and robotics.
Data Center & Telecommunications
High-performance servers, switches, and routers benefit from this efficient PHY IP with minimal area and power overhead, while maintaining gigabit-level throughput for backbone connectivity.
Consumer Electronics & IoT
For smart TVs, set-top boxes, and IoT gateways, the IP delivers a cost-effective, high-speed communication backbone that supports high data throughput with low system complexity.
Advantages of the Whitebox Model
Unlike conventional black-box semiconductor intellectual property IP cores, the whitebox model offers significant benefits:
- Transparency:
Engineers can audit and understand every line of RTL code, ensuring higher trust and security in the final implementation. - Customizability:
Modify logic, timing, or interface behavior to fit specific applications, PPA targets, or system constraints. - Debug & Integration:
Source-level debugging reduces time spent on integration and accelerates system-level bring-up. - Cost Efficiency:
Eliminates recurring royalties and costly support lock-ins with a one-time license or project-based engagement.
Deliverables
The 1G Ethernet Whitebox PHY IP Core package includes:
- Full synthesizable Verilog RTL source code
- Integration guide and implementation documentation
- IEEE-compliant testbench and verification environment
- Timing constraints and simulation scripts
- Support for porting and customization (optional)
- BIST and diagnostics features with example use cases
Optional deliverables include:
- Gate-level netlists
- FPGA prototyping support
- Pre-verified MAC + PHY integration
- ASIC synthesis and DFT optimization services
Semiconductor IP Solutions You Can Trust
T2M-IP is a global provider of semiconductor IP solutions with a portfolio that spans PHYs, controllers, processors, memory interfaces, and more. Our IP cores are silicon-proven, extensively validated, and actively deployed in mass production by tier-1 semiconductor and electronics companies.
Our Ethernet PHY IP offerings cover the entire range—from 10/100 Mbps up to 10G—and are available in both hard and soft IP formats. The 1G Ethernet Whitebox PHY IP is one of the most flexible and transparent offerings on the market, ideal for teams that value customization, cost control, and deep engineering insight.
Licensing Models & Support
T2M-IP offers flexible and competitive licensing models tailored to customer needs:
- One-Time Project License
- Perpetual Use License
- Multi-Project or Platform License
- Royalty-Free Licensing
- Custom Integration Packages
Comprehensive technical support is available throughout the integration lifecycle, including design review, synthesis assistance, and verification debugging.
