AX88179

USB3.0 to 10/100/1000M Gigabit Ethernet Controller [NOT FOR NEW DESIGN!!]

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Overview

AX88179 is the world's first USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet controller which integrates USB 3.0 PHY and 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet MAC/PHY in a single chip. The AX88179 is the latest addition to ASIX's USB-to-LAN product portfolio, providing a small form factor solution and plug-and-play usability, enabling embedded system designers to deliver Gigabit Ethernet connectivity while leveraging the growth and speed of USB 3.0 SuperSpeed technology.

The AX88179 is a high performance and highly integrated ASIC which enables a low cost, small form factor, and simple plug-and-play Gigabit Ethernet network connection capability for desktops, notebook PCs, ultrabooks, cradles/port replicators/docking stations, game consoles, digital-home appliances, and any embedded system using a standard USB port.

Features

● Single chip USB 3.0 to 10/100/1000M Gigabit Ethernet controller with Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) base on digital signal processing (DSP) technology with low dissipation
● USB Device Controller
-- Integrates on-chip USB 3.0 PHY and controller compliant to USB Spec 3.0, 2.0 and 1.1
-- Supports all USB 3.0 power saving modes (U0, U1, U2, and U3)
-- Supports USB Super/High/Full Speed modes with Bus-power or Self-power device auto-detect capability
-- High performance packet transfer rate over USB bus using proprietary burst transfer mechanism (US Patent Approval)
● Gigabit Ethernet Controller
-- Supports IEEE 802.3az (Energy Efficient Ethernet)
-- IEEE 802.3, 802.3u and 802.3ab compatible
-- Integrates 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet MAC/PHY
-- Supports dynamic cable length detection and dynamic power adjustment Green Ethernet (Gigabit mode only)
-- Supports parallel detection and automatic polarity correction
-- Supports crossover detection and auto- correction
-- Supports IPv4/IPv6 packet Checksum Offload Engine (COE) to reduce CPU loading, including IPv4 IP/TCP/UDP/ICMP/IGMP & IPv6 TCP/UDP/ICMPv6 checksum check & generation
-- Supports TCP Large Send Offload V1
-- Supports full duplex operation with IEEE 802.3x flow control and half duplex operation with back-pressure flow control
-- Supports IEEE 802.1P Layer 2 Priority Encoding and Decoding
-- Supports IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging and 2 VLAN ID filtering; received VLAN Tag (4 bytes) can be stripped off or preserved
-- Supports Jumbo frame up to 4KB
-- PHY loop-back diagnostic capability
● Support Wake-on-LAN Function
-- Supports suspend mode and remote wakeup via link-change, Magic Packet, Microsoft Wakeup Frame and external wakeup pin
-- Supports Bonjour wake-on-demand
● Advanced Power Management Features
-- Supports power management offload (ARP & NS)
-- Supports dynamic power management to reduce power dissipation during idle or light traffic
-- Supports AutoDetach power saving
-- Supports advanced link down power saving when Ethernet cable is unplugged
● Supports optional serial EEPROM (93c56/66) for storing USB Descriptors, Node-ID, etc.
● Supports embedded eFuse (64-byte) to store USB Device Descriptors, Node-ID, etc to save external EEPROM
● Supports automatic loading of USB Device Descriptors, Node-ID, etc. from embedded eFuse or external EEPROM after power-on initialization
● Single 25MHz clock input from either crystal or oscillator source
● Integrates on-chip power-on reset circuit
● Integrates pipelined RISC (System on a Chip, SoC) for handling protocol and control functions
● 68-pin QFN 8mm x 8mm RoHS/REACH compliant package
● Operating over 0°C to 70°C temperature rang

ASIX USB Ethernet Solutions Demo on Nintendo Switch
ASIX USB Ethernet Solutions Demo on Nintendo Switch

Diagram

Development Board

Available
Available

AX88179 Demo Board

This is an AX88179 USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet dongle adapter for users to verify AX88179 function on any platform that supports USB 3.0 host interface

FAQs

Driver Installation

  • Where can I obtain the latest AX88179 drivers?

    Please visit the AX88179 Driver Download web page

  • Are AX88179 Windows drivers qualified by the WHCK/WHQL compliant certification?

    Yes, the AX88179 Windows 10/8.x/7 32-bit/64-bit drivers were qualified by Microsoft WHCK certification and the AX88179 Windows XP/Vista 32-bit/64-bit drivers were qualified by Microsoft WHQL certification.

  • Why don't ASIX's AX88179 standard drivers work with my AX88179 device?

    All ASIX's AX88179 standard drivers are qualified with ASIX's AX88179 demo board with AX88179 default Vendor ID (0B95h) and Product ID (1790h). Some of AX88179 manufacturers have their own Vendor ID and Product ID on their AX88179 applications. In this case, ASIX's AX88179 standard drivers will not work with your AX88179 device. Please contact the technical support of your AX88179 device manufacturer to obtain a proper driver.

  • Which AX88179 Windows driver (32-bit or 64-bit) should I download for my Windows system?

    You can easily download the AX88179 Windows 10, 8.x, 7, Vista or XP 32-bit/64-bit WHCK/WHQL drivers setup programs from AX88179 Driver Download web page and then run the setup program to install a proper AX88179 Windows driver on your Windows machine directly.

  • How can I install AX88179 Linux driver on my Android tablet PC?

    No, it could not be done by end users. To install AX88179 Linux driver on your Android tablet PC, you have to recompile AX88179 Linux driver source on your target Android tablet platform and then you can install the compiled AX88179 Linux driver on your Android platform. It can only be done by the manufacturer of your Android tablet PC. Please contact the support guys of your Android platform manufacturer for further support if necessary.

  • How to capture the VLAN tagged packets on Windows WireShark tool?

    Please set the "Packet Priority & VLAN" parameter of ASIX USB to LAN Windows drivers to "Packet Priority & VLAN Disable" to capture the VLAN tagged packets on WireShark.

  • Does AX88179 support Windows Surface RT 8.0/8.1 driver?

    No, AX88179 doesn’t support Windows Surface RT 8.0/8.1 driver.

  • how to isolate AX88179 macOS driver cannot work fine issue after upgrading to new macOS system?

    Please try to un-install the existing installed AX88179 driver firstly and then re-install the latest AX88179 macOS driver to improve this kind of issue.

    For macOS 10.13 or above systems, please double check if you have set the "Allow apps downloaded from" option on the ”Security & Privacy” console to "App Store and identifier developers" to allow loading the newly-installed third-party kernel extensions (KEXTs).

Design Considerations

  • Where can I obtain the latest AX88179 datasheet, reference schematic and other hardware design archives?

    Please register MyASIX membership and then download the latest AX88179 datasheet, reference schematic, gerber/PCB layout files and application design note from AX88179 Product web page directly.

  • How to open the gerber files of AX88179 demo board?

    You can open the gerber files of AX88179 demo board by running ORACLE's AutoVue Evaluation Revision tool (30 days evaluation date). Please visit ORACLE's web site for more details.

  • How to open the PowerPCB PCB layout file of AX88179 demo board?

    You can open the PowerPCB PCB layout file of AX88179 demo board by running Mentor Graphics PADS Layout Product Evaluation Software (No time limitation but with limited function). Please visit Mentor Graphics' web site for more details.

  • Can ASIX help me to review my own AX88179 schematic and PCB layout?

    Yes, please deliver your own AX88179 schematic and PCB layout files to ASIX's Support (support@asix.com.tw) for further review before making your own AX88179 PCB board.

  • Do I need to develop AX88179 drivers by myself?

    No, the AX88179 already supports available device drivers for most of operating systems such as Windows 10/8.x/7, Linux, Mac OSX, WinCE/Mobile, etc. Please visit AX88179 Driver Download web page for details. For some special OS supporting requirements, please contact ASIX's sales (sales@asix.com.tw) for further support.

  • What is the specification of 25MHz reference crystal of AX88179 demo board?

    The 25MHz crystal signals of AX88179 board should be winthin 25MHz +- 30ppm. Please refer to AX88179 USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Application Design Note for details.

  • What is the reference Gigabit Ethernet transformer of the AX88179 demo board?

    The reference Ethernet transformer on the AX88179 demo board is the Bothhand LA1S109-43 (Turns Ratio 1CT:1CT, Auto-MDIX) single RJ-45 connector integrated 10/100/1000M Base-T magnetic. Please refer to AX88179 USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Application Design Note for details.

  • What kind of EEPROM is supported by AX88179?

    The AX88179 supports 3.3V to 5V 16-bit mode 93C56/93C66 serial EEPROM. Please refer to AX88179 USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Application Design Note for details.

  • Can I eliminate the EEPROM on AX88179 applications?

    The AX88179 supports a 64-byte eFuse that is a one-time programming ROM for an alternate solution to store the required hardware configuration data in production. We strongly suggest customers to reserve the EEPROM location on AX88179 PCB board for flexible designs even if you plan to use the AX88179 eFuse for hardware configuration. Please refer to AX88179 EEPROM User Guide for details.

  • How do I program the AX88179 EEPROM or eFuse?

    AX88179 supports some default settings inside chip hardware to enable it to communicate with USB host controller during enumeration when the AX88179 EEPROM is blank (prior to being programmed). The default settings inside chip facilitate users to update the EEPROM contents through a Windows PC during R&D validation process or program a blank EEPROM or eFuse during manufacturing process.

    ASIX Electronics provides Windows/Linux SROM programming tools for users to easily program AX88179 EEPROM or eFuse on a typical Windows/Linux platforms. These AX88179 SROM programming tools support to customize the MAC address, Serial Number, Vendor ID and Product ID, etc. for AX88179 based application systems in mass production.

    Alternatively, users can pre-program the blank EEPROM on a 3rd Party Universal Programmer before soldering the EEPROM onto the AX88179 application device. You MUST assign a unique MAC address in the EEPROM for every AX88179 device.

    Please refer to AX88179 EEPROM User Guide for more detailed EEPROM/eFuse design notes.

  • Do we need to register our own VID/PID for our AX88179 based application systems or can we use the ASIX's VID/PID?

    The answers to above questions really depend on user's product applications and target market, which can be different on individual cases. Below gives customers some general guidelines about whether one can use ASIX's VID/PID or one should better register its own one with USB-IF.

    1.Case where it is OK to use ASIX Electronics's VID (0B95h) and PID (1790h):

    You may be able to use ASIX Electronics' VID and PID when your AX88179 based application system can simply work with AX88179 standard drivers provided by ASIX without any modification and you don't have any concern from business and product marketing perspective to use the same VID and PID on your products as ASIX's other customers who are also using ASIX's VID and PID. ASIX Electronics would like to request customers to inform ASIX sales staffs by sending us email at sales@asix.com.tw beforehand if you would like to use ASIX Electronics VID and PID for your products.

    2.Cases requiring you to use your own VID and PID

    (1) Your AX88179 based application systems can't work directly with AX88179 standard drivers which ASIX Electronics release on its web site and your target application system (such as USB dongle or docking station) may allow your end customers to update the standalone AX88179 driver by themselves after sales. In that case, you MUST assign your own unique VID and PID for your AX88179 based devices.

    (2) For brand name products, you probably don't want your AX88179 based devices to become compatible with other company's AX88179 based devices. In this case, you should consider assigning your own unique VID and PID for your AX88179 based devices.

    You can register your own VID from USB Implementers Forum, Inc. and define the PID based on your company rules.

  • How do I register a Vendor ID from USB-IF?

    If you are a new USB product developer looking to get a Vendor ID for your company, you can register a Vendor ID from USB Implementers Forum, Inc. Please visit the USB-IF web site for details.

  • Do I have to assign a unique MAC address to every AX88179 based devices?

    Yes, every Ethernet device must have a unique MAC address. Users should always assign a unique MAC address in the AX88179 EEPROM for every AX88179 based devices.

  • How do I register a MAC/Ethernet address from IEEE-SA?

    You must first have an OUI or an IAB, to which you then append 24 or 12 bits respectively, in a way that makes the resulting 48-bit number unique, i.e., your 24 or 12 bits must be unique within your organization, which will require coordination among all the users of your organization's OUI or IAB. Please visit the IEEE-SA web site for details.

  • Do I have to assign a unique serial number to every AX88179 based device?

    No, it depends on the real requirement of your AX88179 target application. If users need to install more than one AX88179 based devices on your target application, you should assign a different serial number in the EEPROM for every AX88179 device.

    If your target application always uses one AX88179 device, you can consider assigning the same serial number in the EEPROM for every AX88179 device for easy maintenance in mass production, especially if you plan to use a Windows PC to test AX88179 based devices repeatedly during mass production test.

  • Did the AX88179 pass the USB-IF compliant certification?

    Yes, AX88179 demo board was certified by USB-IF.

Download

Technical Documentation

Product Brief, Product Introduction and Datasheet

AX88179 Product Brief

Release Date
2015-01-16

File Size
278.2 KB

AX88179 Product Introduction

Version
1.01

Release Date
2013-07-19

File Size
643.7 KB

AX88179 Datasheet

Version
1.31

Release Date
2016-04-11

File Size
1.2 MB

Reference Manuals and User Guides

AX88179 EEPROM/Manufacture User Guide

AX88179/AX88178A macOS Driver Quick Installation Guide

For macOS 10.9 to 10.15 on Intel 32-bit/64-bit platforms

Version
1.01

Release Date
2022-05-17

File Size
1.9 MB

ASIX USB Device Installer macOS Driver Quick Installation Guide

For macOS 11.3 and above on Intel and Apple silicon platforms

Version
1.01

Release Date
2022-07-06

File Size
712.5 KB

Reports

AX88179 Reliability Report

AX88179 RoHS Report

AX88179 Performance Test Report

AX88179 USB-IF Compliance Test Report

AX88179 IEEE 802.3 Compliance Test Reports

Hardware Design Documentation

Reference Schematics

AX88179 Demo Board Reference Schematic

Version
2.07

Release Date
2016-11-01

File Size
275.3 KB

AX88179 USB Type C Plug Connector Reference Schematic

Version
1.00

Release Date
2014-09-26

File Size
276.8 KB

AX88179/VL100/VL210 USB Type C PD Charging Reference Schematic

Version
1.00

Release Date
2015-12-31

File Size
796.7 KB

Bill of Materials, Application Notes and Layout Guides

AX88179 Demo Board BOM File

Release Date
2015-01-29

File Size
190.8 KB

AX88179 USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Applications Design Note

Version
1.23

Release Date
2016-11-01

File Size
1.3 MB

AX88179 Default Wake-On-LAN(DWOL) Ready Mode Application Note

Version
1.00

Release Date
2019-08-26

File Size
779.5 KB

PCB Layout, Gerber and IBIS Model

AX88179 Demo Board PCB Layout Files

Release Date
2012-11-26

File Size
308.3 KB

AX88179 Demo Board Gerber Files

Release Date
2012-11-26

File Size
462.1 KB

AX88179 IBIS Model

Release Date
2017-06-19

File Size
360.0 KB

Software & Tools

Drivers

Apple macOS 12 above Drivers Installer

For Intel and Apple silicon platforms

Version
2.4.0

Release Date
2023-09-25

File Size
1.9 MB

Apple macOS 11.3 to 11.6 Drivers Installer

For Intel and Apple silicon platforms

Version
1.3.0

Release Date
2022-07-06

File Size
1.3 MB

Apple macOS 10.9 to 10.15 Drivers Installer

For Intel 32-bit/64-bit platforms

Version
2.19.0

Release Date
2022-05-17

File Size
3.1 MB

Linux kernel 5.x/4.x/3.x/2.6.x Driver

Version
3.0.0

Release Date
2023-11-10

File Size
38.1 KB

Windows 11 64-bit Driver

For x64 CPU platform, HLK/WHCK certified

Version
3.22.1.0

Release Date
2023-12-13

File Size
92.2 KB

Windows 11 64-bit HLK/WHCK drivers setup program

For x64 CPU platform, HLK/WHCK certified

Version
2.0.1.0

Release Date
2024-01-23

File Size
8.6 MB

Windows 11 ARM 64-bit Driver

For ARM x64 CPU platform, HLK/WHCK certified

Version
2.0.1.0

Release Date
2024-01-23

File Size
8.6 MB

Windows 10 32-bit Driver

For x86 CPU platform, HLK/WHCK certified

Version
3.20.1.0

Release Date
2023-10-25

File Size
80.3 KB

Windows 10 64-bit Driver

For x64 CPU platform, HLK/WHCK certified

Version
3.20.1.0

Release Date
2023-10-25

File Size
90.5 KB

Windows 10 64-bit HLK/WHCK drivers setup program

For x64 CPU platform, HLK/WHCK certified

Version
2.0.1.0

Release Date
2024-01-23

File Size
8.6 MB

Windows 8.x 32-bit Driver

For x86 CPU platform, HLK/WHCK certified

Version
1.18.5.0

Release Date
2019-04-11

File Size
53.3 KB

Windows 8.x 64-bit Driver

For x64 CPU platform, HLK/WHCK certified

Version
1.18.5.0

Release Date
2019-04-11

File Size
60.1 KB

Windows 8.x 32-bit/64-bit HLK/WHCK drivers setup program

For x86/x64 CPU platform HLK/WHCK certified

Version
1.0.4.0

Release Date
2019-04-29

File Size
8.8 MB

Windows 7 32-bit Driver

For x86 CPU platform WHCK certified

Version
1.12.11.0

Release Date
2018-01-19

File Size
42.9 KB

Windows 7 64-bit Driver

For x64 CPU platform, WHCK certified

Version
1.14.11.0

Release Date
2018-01-19

File Size
47.7 KB

Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit HLK/WHCK drivers setup program

For x86/x64 CPU platform, WHCK certified

Version
3.0.6.0

Release Date
2018-02-09

File Size
8.9 MB

Windows XP & Vista 32-bit Driver

For x86 CPU platform

Version
1.4.2.0

Release Date
2013-05-24

File Size
1.4 MB

Windows XP & Vista 64-bit Driver

For x64 CPU platform

Version
1.6.2.0

Release Date
2013-05-24

File Size
1.6 MB

Windows XP & Vista 32-bit/64-bit drivers setup program

For x86/x64 CPU platform

Version
1.0.4.0

Release Date
2013-06-04

File Size
11.7 MB

Windows Embedded Compact 2013 Driver

For ARMv7 platform

Version
1.6.0.0

Release Date
2017-04-07

File Size
664.5 KB

Windows Embedded Compact 2013 Driver

For CEPC x86 platform

Version
1.6.0.0

Release Date
2017-04-04

File Size
664.5 KB

Windows Embedded Compact 7/CE 7.0 Driver

For ARMv7 platform

Version
1.4.1.0

Release Date
2013-10-25

File Size
522.0 KB

Windows Embedded Compact 7/CE 7.0 Driver

For ARMv6 platform

Version
1.4.1.0

Release Date
2013-10-25

File Size
522.2 KB

Windows Embedded Compact 7/CE 7.0 Driver

For ARMv5 platform

Version
1.4.1.0

Release Date
2013-10-25

File Size
522.2 KB

Windows Embedded Compact 7/CE 7.0 Driver

For CEPC x86 platform

Version
1.4.1.0

Release Date
2013-10-25

File Size
519.1 KB

Windows Embedded Compact 7/CE 7.0 Driver

For MIPS-II platform

Version
1.4.1.0

Release Date
2013-10-25

File Size
526.7 KB

Windows CE 6.0 Driver

For Intel PXA27x ARM platform

Version
1.2.0.0

Release Date
2013-07-31

File Size
534.0 KB

Windows CE 6.0 Driver

For CEPC x86 platform

Version
1.2.0.0

Release Date
2013-07-31

File Size
531.1 KB

Windows CE 6.0 Driver

For NEC VR5500 MIPS-II platform

Version
1.2.0.0

Release Date
2013-07-31

File Size
538.9 KB

Windows CE 6.0 Driver

For NEC VR5500 MIPS-IV platform

Version
1.2.0.0

Release Date
2013-07-31

File Size
539.5 KB

Windows CE 6.0 Driver

For Renesas US7750R HARP(Aspen) SH4 platform

Version
1.2.0.0

Release Date
2013-07-31

File Size
535.3 KB

Windows CE 5.0 / Mobile 5 / Mobile 6 Driver

For MainStone II Intel PXA27X platform

Version
1.0.0.0

Release Date
2014-04-16

File Size
674.1 KB

Windows CE 5.0 / Mobile 5 / Mobile 6 Driver

For SMDK2410 ARM platform

Version
1.0.0.0

Release Date
2014-04-16

File Size
674.2 KB

Windows CE 5.0 / Mobile 5 / Mobile 6 Driver

For CEPC x86 platform

Version
1.0.0.0

Release Date
2014-04-16

File Size
662.1 KB

Windows CE 5.0 / Mobile 5 / Mobile 6 Driver

For NEC VR5500 MIPS-II platform

Version
1.0.0.0

Release Date
2014-04-16

File Size
685.6 KB

Windows CE 5.0 / Mobile 5 / Mobile 6 Driver

For NEC VR5500 MIPS-IV platform

Version
1.0.0.0

Release Date
2014-04-16

File Size
687.9 KB

Windows CE 5.0 / Mobile 5 / Mobile 6 Driver

For Renesas US7750R HARP(Aspen) SH4 platform

Version
1.0.0.0

Release Date
2014-04-16

File Size
676.0 KB

UEFI X64/IA32 Drivers

For UEFI X64/IA32 platforms

Version
3.2.0

Release Date
2022-04-07

File Size
32.5 KB

UEFI ARM/AARCH64 Drivers

For UEFI ARM/AARCH64 platforms

Version
3.2.0

Release Date
2022-04-07

File Size
25.5 KB

iPXE

For Intel x86/x64 platforms

Version
1.0.0

Release Date
2023-10-06

File Size
2.0 MB

Utilities

Windows SROM Programming Tool

Please contact ASIX Sales to get zip password

Version
1.0.24.0

Release Date
2020-10-12

File Size
1.6 MB

Windows Production Test Tool

Please contact ASIX Sales to get zip password

Version
1.9.0

Release Date
2019-04-24

File Size
1.6 MB

Linux SROM Programming Tool