Global Finance News
01 Nov 2026, 11:40
Microchip Expands PolarFire FPGA Platform With EtherCAT and TSN for Industrial AI and Robotics
Microchip Technology (NASDAQ: MCHP) expanded its PolarFire FPGA and SoC platform with EtherCAT and Time-Sensitive Networking capabilities, targeting industrial automation, robotics and intelligent edge applications that require deterministic real-time communications.
The new industrial edge networking stack combines PolarFire hardware with networking IP, development tools and reference designs. Beckhoff EtherCAT IP is now compatible with PolarFire FPGA and SoC devices, while Microchip’s TSN IP is supported on PolarFire FPGA SoCs.
The platform supports EtherCAT connectivity at 10/100/1000 Mbps and deterministic 1 Gbps Ethernet using IEEE 802.1 TSN standards. Microchip said the combination is designed to help developers build scalable industrial networks with predictable latency and interoperability across connected devices.
PolarFire’s architecture also emphasizes power efficiency and security, including instant-on operation, secure boot and anti-tamper features. The FPGA fabric allows developers to combine real-time networking with application-specific processing and customization.
Target markets include motion control, factory automation, industrial robotics, embedded vision, autonomous mobile robots, automotive systems, smart infrastructure, aerospace and defense.
The announcement strengthens Microchip’s industrial-edge offering as manufacturers increasingly integrate AI, machine learning and real-time networking closer to machines and production systems. While the release does not provide financial guidance or expected revenue contribution, the expanded PolarFire stack broadens Microchip’s addressable opportunities in industrial automation and edge computing.
Microchip Technology (NASDAQ: MCHP) expanded its PolarFire FPGA and SoC platform with EtherCAT and Time-Sensitive Networking capabilities, targeting industrial automation, robotics and intelligent edge applications that require deterministic real-time communications.
The new industrial edge networking stack combines PolarFire hardware with networking IP, development tools and reference designs. Beckhoff EtherCAT IP is now compatible with PolarFire FPGA and SoC devices, while Microchip’s TSN IP is supported on PolarFire FPGA SoCs.
The platform supports EtherCAT connectivity at 10/100/1000 Mbps and deterministic 1 Gbps Ethernet using IEEE 802.1 TSN standards. Microchip said the combination is designed to help developers build scalable industrial networks with predictable latency and interoperability across connected devices.
PolarFire’s architecture also emphasizes power efficiency and security, including instant-on operation, secure boot and anti-tamper features. The FPGA fabric allows developers to combine real-time networking with application-specific processing and customization.
Target markets include motion control, factory automation, industrial robotics, embedded vision, autonomous mobile robots, automotive systems, smart infrastructure, aerospace and defense.
The announcement strengthens Microchip’s industrial-edge offering as manufacturers increasingly integrate AI, machine learning and real-time networking closer to machines and production systems. While the release does not provide financial guidance or expected revenue contribution, the expanded PolarFire stack broadens Microchip’s addressable opportunities in industrial automation and edge computing.
