10GBlox - Compact 10GBASE-T Switch

This design has been superseded by UbiSwitch, our modular 10G ethernet system.
Learn about UbiSwitch

Description

10GBlox a small form factor 7-port 10G ethernet switch designed for compact applications such as drones and robots that require integration of high performance sensors and devices. 10GBlox allows data rates up to 10Gbps in a form factor that is friendly to mobile systems.

Super fast data rates

10GBlox uses a high fidelity Marvell chipset to support three 10GBASE-T (copper) interfaces and four 1GBASE-T ports with a non-blocking architecture, meaning that full data rates can be achieved on all ports simultaneously. All seven interfaces support autonegotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX, and can also support data rates below their maximum (100M/1G/2.5G/5G for the 10G ports and 10/100M for the 1G ports). This allows 10GBlox to be used with a variety of different devices and provides an easy upgrade path for older hardware.

Functionality

10GBlox is preprogrammed to run out the box as an unmanaged switch, without any configuration. This means it can simply be powered on and connected to devices; the ports will autonegotiate to the fastest speed capable on the connected device. By default, 10GBlox supports Jumbo packets.

10GBlox can be configured to perform a number of more complex managed switch functions, these are currently unimplemented but can be enabled through customisations in the firmware.

• Port Mirroring
• IGMP/MLD Snooping
• 802.1AS / Qat / Qav / 1588v2
• IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol
• IEEE 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree
• IEEE 802.1s Multiple VLAN Spanning Tree

Please get in touch if you are interested in enabling these features.

Compact Connectors

Molex PicoBlade connectors are used for the ports on 10GBlox to provide the most compact connectivity solution. These connectors are fully pin compatible with our other products, and our 300mm cables have been tested to support 10Gbps connections for up to 10 meters on CAT5-E (When used with our 10GBASE-T compatible RJ45 Coupler).

We include all cables required for use with 10GBlox, which include:

7 x BB-PBRJ-1-0.3: Picoblade to RJ45, 300mm, twisted pair data cable)

1 x BB-PBTL-1-0.3: Picoblade to tinned leads for power

Modularity of design

The main switch on 10GBlox is housed on a stackable switch module that breaks out all seven ports onto a stackable RAZOR BEAM™ header. 

The switch module mounts onto a PHY motherboard that provides the ethernet PHYs, power control and port connector breakout necessary to use 10GBlox.

This structure of design means that the PHY motherboard can be modified easily to achieve different connectors or even SFP modules to accomodate fiber connectors. Please get in touch if you are interested in a customer motherboard.

Specifications

Datasheet and 3D CAD

GrabCAD 3D Models

10GBlox BASE-T PHY Datasheet

10GBlox Switch Datasheet

10GBlox Thermal Considerations Application Note

Custom Cables

All our boards are shipped with the required 0.3 meter power and data cables included, so you do not need to purchase extra cables. However if you need custom cable lengths for your application, you can order those here.