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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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14 years ago

Where can i buy a Marvell 88e1111?!

Hi Guys,

I'm pressed for time in creating my Uni project and obviously stressing.

Long story short I have made a working design on a DE2-115. Problem is I need to build my own board and i'm struggling to source a gigabit chip to use.

Obviously i'm trying to mimic the DE2-115 and timewise I can't afford re-work of code I've already done.

I'm really struggling to get a hold of some Marvell 88e1111 chips. (the same as on a DE2-115).

I've seen them on avnetexpress.com; but i haven't been able to get a response from them.

Is anyone able to help me out? I would be incredibly appreciative

10 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    14 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Why not directly from Marvell itself?

    --- Quote End ---

    Looks like you haven't tried that yourself, Socrates!

    Marvell is not interested in Qty 1. (Altera isn't either ... no blame) If you can not get it from Arrow or Avnet you are stuck.

    Digikey sells the Vitesse VSC8601 PHY (which only has a RGMII i/f, but at a good price) but unfortunately Altera doesn't seem to be willing to add support for this. Or maybe Altera could ask Digikey to stock this Marvell part? (as Digikey is stocking the Altera FPGAs on behalf of Altera already)
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    14 years ago

    Then I would say use Micrel. They're cheap, available on digikey and has a good support. The driver is not so hard to write I suppose. Just a few lines of code, check the forum. They have GMII and RGMII chips.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    14 years ago

    I know you say its simple to write the driver but with my large todo list; its not a risk i can take unless someone is willing to supply me with the drivers.

    Obviously i'll be more ecstatic, but i'll also be able to supply them with my working product.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    14 years ago

    Then You have only two options: use Marvell or use National. The second one is available on Digikey or Farnell.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    14 years ago

    Thanks Soc,

    I've attached an image of 3 National chips.

    Is there one you recommend? Along the lines of least effort to convert my Marvell design.

    By switching to a new chip, i won't have any timing constraint files or anything correct. Because i wouldn't be able to use the Marvells ones.

    I took the marvell's sdc and HDL files straight from an example and honestly that stuff is just beyond my ability atm.

    Am I right and screwed? Or am I a pessimist and I can use those I have for the marvell :confused:
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    14 years ago

    As long as you use a PHY chip with the same MII interface (I don't know if it's RGMII or GMII on this board) then you'll be fine and won't need to change your timing constraint files. As said you'll just need to modify the TSE driver a bit so that it recognises your new PHY and configures it properly, but this isn't complicated.

    Getting a low volume of Marvel chips is near impossible. Neither Marvel nor any of their distributors are interested if you don't intend to buy several hundred thousand pieces.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    14 years ago

    Boys your life savers! (i didn't see that part of the doco, a fool i am). Thanks again.

    National DP83865 it is.