Streamlining Industrial Ethernet with the EVB-LAN9252-PICtail – Make-Tronics
In today’s fast-evolving industrial landscape, seamless communication between devices is critical for improving efficiency, reducing downtime, and enabling real-time control. As industries increasingly adopt smart automation and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies, the need for reliable, high-performance Ethernet solutions becomes more pronounced.
At the heart of these smart systems lies Industrial Ethernet, a robust, deterministic communication standard that supports real-time data exchange between controllers and devices across the factory floor. For developers, engineers, and system integrators looking to implement such solutions efficiently, Microchip’s EVB-LAN9252-PICtail Evaluation Board offers a streamlined, cost-effective gateway into the world of EtherCAT and other industrial Ethernet protocols.
In this blog, we at Make-Tronics explore how the EVB-LAN9252-PICtail simplifies industrial networking design and accelerates prototyping, making it an essential tool in the industrial developer's toolbox.
What Is the EVB-LAN9252-PICtail?
The EVB-LAN9252-PICtail is a compact evaluation board designed by Microchip Technology, built to demonstrate and test the capabilities of the LAN9252, a dual-port EtherCAT slave controller with an integrated Ethernet PHY.
This evaluation board connects easily with Microchip’s development platforms—especially the Explorer 16/32 Development Board—allowing engineers to quickly prototype and evaluate EtherCAT-based applications. It supports both SPI and digital I/O interfaces, making it flexible for a variety of host controllers and industrial use cases.
Key Features at a Glance
Powered by LAN9252: A proven EtherCAT slave controller with dual integrated Ethernet PHYs for real-time industrial communication.
Flexible Host Interfaces: Supports SPI, Digital I/O (via SYNC and PDI), and 16-bit parallel interfaces.
Compatible with Explorer 16/32: Seamless plug-and-play with Microchip’s PIC32 MCU development ecosystem.
EtherCAT Slave Stack Integration: Compatible with Beckhoff’s EtherCAT Slave Stack Code (SSC), simplifying EtherCAT software development.
Compact Design: Fits easily into lab environments and embedded system test setups.
Why Choose the EVB-LAN9252-PICtail?
1. Accelerated Development
For embedded engineers, time-to-market is often a critical constraint. The EVB-LAN9252-PICtail allows developers to quickly implement and test industrial Ethernet applications without having to design custom PCBs from scratch. The board includes all necessary circuitry to interface with Microchip MCUs, especially PIC32 and dsPIC families, significantly reducing development overhead.
2. Seamless EtherCAT Integration
EtherCAT is one of the fastest-growing industrial Ethernet protocols due to its high performance, scalability, and low latency. The LAN9252 is a certified EtherCAT slave controller that integrates smoothly with Beckhoff’s SSC, making the transition from concept to implementation smoother than ever. Whether you're building motion control systems, robotics, or remote I/O modules, the EVB-LAN9252-PICtail supports your development from the ground up.
3. Robust Evaluation and Testing
Microchip’s tools, including MPLAB X IDE and Harmony firmware framework, pair naturally with the EVB-LAN9252-PICtail. Together, they provide a complete development environment for debugging, testing, and optimizing industrial Ethernet communication. The board’s diagnostic LEDs, I/O headers, and external PHY access points make signal monitoring and protocol verification straightforward.
4. Future-Proof and Scalable
As industrial applications scale in complexity, having a flexible and standards-compliant networking solution becomes essential. The EVB-LAN9252-PICtail supports not only EtherCAT but can be adapted for other Ethernet-based protocols such as PROFINET or Ethernet/IP with the appropriate firmware and stack integration, ensuring long-term relevance.
Common Applications
The EVB-LAN9252-PICtail isn’t just for the lab—it’s ideal for field-deployable systems and real-world industrial automation solutions. Here are a few common application areas:
Factory Automation: Real-time data exchange between PLCs, sensors, and actuators.
Motion Control: Synchronizing motor drives and controllers in robotics and CNC machines.
Process Control: Monitoring and adjusting flow, pressure, or temperature in industrial processes.
Industrial IoT Gateways: Connecting legacy equipment to modern Ethernet networks.
Getting Started
To begin working with the EVB-LAN9252-PICtail, you’ll need:
A compatible host board (e.g., Microchip Explorer 16/32).
MPLAB X IDE and MPLAB Harmony for software development.
The EtherCAT SSC (available through Beckhoff with licensing).
Power supply and RJ45 Ethernet cables for communication setup.
Microchip provides detailed documentation and application notes to help you integrate and configure the board for your specific use case. With its modular design, you can quickly connect, configure, and communicate over an EtherCAT network, even if you’re new to industrial protocols.
Final Thoughts
The rise of Industry 4.0 is placing growing demands on embedded developers to deliver smarter, faster, and more connected systems. The EVB-LAN9252-PICtail Evaluation Board empowers engineers to meet those demands with a practical, affordable, and scalable platform for industrial Ethernet.
At Make-Tronics, we believe in supporting innovators and developers with the right tools to bring their ideas to life. The LAN9252 PICtail is not just a development board—it’s a launchpad into the future of industrial connectivity.
Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just getting started with industrial networking, this board gives you the flexibility, speed, and reliability you need to build and test real-world EtherCAT-enabled solutions.