IC chips in Wired networking applications you should know

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When it comes to networking, there are two major options that you are likely to choose: wired and wireless. Both types entail interconnections between devices in a network. The main difference is the mode of connection that is used.

In wireless networks, devices are connected without cables or wires. On the other hand, a wired network is characterized by the use of physical wires and cables to complete the interconnections between different devices in a network.

The main focus of this article is on wired networking. We are going to highlight some of the most common IC chips that are used in wired networking applications.  In case you are planning to build a wired networking application and infrastructure from scratch, you will use the information from this guide to choose the best semiconductor chips for your application.

Key components of a wired network

To give you a better understanding of the IC chips that are found in a wired networking application, let’s review some of the key components or elements that make up a typical wired networking application.

· Computing devices: These are the devices that exchange data or communicate with each other in a wired networking application.  Computers, smartphones, tablets, printers, and other electronic appliances fall under this category. They are devices that users interact with directly for data processing and data communication.

· Cables:  These are the most important components and are used for transmitting data between devices in a wired network.  The most common types of cables that are used include coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, (Ethernet cables), and fiber optic cables. Each of these cable types has unique properties, strengths, and weaknesses.

· Routers:  A router in a wired networking application is a device that connects two or more packet-switched networks or even subnetworks. It is also used for forwarding and managing data packets in a networking application. Routers are responsible for allowing multiple devices to connect to an existing network.

· Switches: The main function of a switch in a wired networking application is to facilitate data exchange within a local area network. It controls the flow of data between the source and the destination devices.

· Network interface card (NIC): This is an integrated circuit or chip that gives a device full capacity to connect to a wired network. The card is usually embedded into a device to facilitate this type of connection.

· Modems: Modes are used for modulation and demodulation of signals in wired networking applications This process entails the conversion of signals from analog to digital and vice versa depending on the application area.

· Network adapter: A network adapter is a device or component that is used for connecting a device to other devices in a network It is mainly used in local area network (LAN) applications. The adapter can either be wired or wireless.

A combination of all these devices results in a functional wired networking application. 

Key  IC chips in wired networking applications and their functions

Here are some of the most common integrated circuits that are used in wired networking applications and the key roles that they play.

· Power management IC: All the electronic devices that we have listed above rely on electric power. This is where the importance of power management ICs comes in. As the name suggests, these chips are used for power management in a computer network. They perform core roles such as distributing and regulating the flow of power in electronic components.

· Interface IC: as long as there is an exchange of data between devices, an interface IC will be needed. A simple application of interface IC is in the network interface card (NIC) it facilitates data communication between devices in a wired network.

· Security IC: Specialized security ICs are used for securing data and devices in wired networking applications. Different programs are embedded into chips to ensure that only authorized people can access data and devices.

· Switching ICs:  These are semiconductor chips found in network switches. Their main role is to forward data packets to their respective network ports.

· Microprocessors:  All electronic devices in networking applications are controlled by microprocessors. They define the operations of the devices and determine how the device executes electric signals.

· Content inspection IC: Classified under application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) this is used in some specific networking applications to control and regulate the type of data that is accepted in a network.

Advantages of wired networking applications

While everyone seems to be embracing wireless networking, no doubt wired networking applications remain relevant.  So, what are some of the benefits that come with embracing and using wired networking?

Safety is one of the key benefits that are associated with wired networking applications. The use of physical cables in a network has always been considered a safer option than using wireless chips. It is easy to implement physical security on the network. The only remaining task is to implement other network security measures such as a firewall and you will be  100% about the safety of your data and network.

Reliability is another key advantage that comes with using wired networking applications. Once the network has been put in place, you can be sure of a smooth data exchange between the endpoints of the application.

It is easy to control a wired networking application. This is possible because the network comprises physical components that can be easily handled when the need arises.

What about the cost? Well, wired networking applications are quite cost-effective. Most electronic devices used in these networks have been around for decades. This means that they are easily available from shops at friendly prices.

While many factors determine the speed of a networking application, wired networks are generally faster than wireless networks if all factors are kept constant. One of the reasons for this is that wired networking applications are rarely affected by external interference. The use of high-quality cables in a network facilitates the fast transfer of data between the devices.

The above benefits are compounded or multiplied by the use of modern semiconductor chips. When such chips are embedded into the hardware components of the wired networking applications, you will end up with powerful and high-performance devices that will deliver the desired results.

Wired  and ethernet IC market analysis

To have a proper understanding of the IC chips in wired networking applications, let’s look at the market analysis of these chips.

From the overview of the different wired ICs, it is clear that ethernet ICs are the most dominant chips that are used in wired networking applications.

The market size and ever performance of the ethernet IC chips have been on a steady rise. This implies that the usage and applications of these chips have been on an upward trend. One of the reasons for the positive trends is the growing demand for connectivity.

Ethernet IC chips are needed for both domestic and commercial applications. They are mainly needed for facilitating high-speed wired connectivity. The need for better network security is another key reason that is pushing the demand for ethernet  ICs to the edge.  Most users tend to believe that wired connectivity is safer than wireless networks because users have full control of them, especially when it comes to creating the necessary connections.

When it comes to the numbers, the ethernet IC market size was valued at USD 2533.98 million in 2022 and is projected to hit USD 24802.72 million by 2031. This is a CAGR of 28.89%. The projections assume that the supply chain will be stable and the market will maintain its current performance, or even improve.

The upcoming or advancing technology is one of the key factors that is expected to drive the demand for ethernet ICs up. For instance, there is a growing number of consumers who are utilizing IoT, which is powered by the interconnections over networks.

The market analysis is also a positive sign of the future of wired networking and internet applications. Chip manufacturers will keep producing more advanced IC chips that will meet the needs of wired networking.

Conclusion

If you are building devices and applications that will be used in wired networks, having the right integrated circuits should be among your top priorities. The best chips will ensure seamless connections between different devices in the network. Data will be transmitted and received between the network smoothly.

 The biggest challenge that most builders face is finding the right sources of the best-integrated circuits. With many IC suppliers and manufacturers around the world, choosing one from whom to source your products can be quite a challenge.

The good news is we still have reputable IC suppliers and ICRFQ is one of them. For the past 20 years, we have been supplying semiconductor chips to major electronics companies around the world. We take pride in helping our customers get exactly what they want.

Talk to us about the quality IC chips for networking applications and we will ensure that you get them in time. We have a broad stock of electronic components and you can be sure of e finding what you are looking for.