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Author Author: Jan Cumps
Date Created: 18 Jul 2020 6:30 PM Date Created
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Peek inside an SMD Ethernet transformer

18 Jul 2020

On many Ethernet devices, you find magnetics - a transformer - as part of the physical layer.

The example above is from a TI TM4C launchpad. It looks like a solid block - like a silicon package.

I have a defect launchpad so I scavenged some parts.

To my surprise, this is how the transformer looks like from the underside:

Surprisingly old school.

Supplier's schematic: Pulse HX1198FNL

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colporteur over 5 years ago

I'm curious after reading your post. That must be what is under the Ethernet canister hood of the Pi. I don't have a failed Pi to put under the knife to have a look, so I will just imagine.
The theory of electronic and how things work moves to the back of my thinking for the most part. It is fascinating to actually explore the physical of the electronics that make the theory reality. Great find JC, thanks for sharing. Stuff like this is what made electronics exciting in the first place.
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Gough Lui over 5 years ago in reply to colporteur

In the case of the Pi, it is integrated into the RJ45-style jack housing - hence why those are known as "MagJacks".

Curiously enough, the Ethernet on the first batches of Pi was non-functional purely because the factory substituted "plain" jacks instead of jacks with integrated magnetics. There are some X-ray shots in the blog that show the difference.

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Gough Lui over 5 years ago in reply to colporteur

In the case of the Pi, it is integrated into the RJ45-style jack housing - hence why those are known as "MagJacks".

Curiously enough, the Ethernet on the first batches of Pi was non-functional purely because the factory substituted "plain" jacks instead of jacks with integrated magnetics. There are some X-ray shots in the blog that show the difference.

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