Ethernet

A researcher on a university campus has described an unusual combination of old and new technology: an analog seismometer linked to a datalogger, then to a PC over wired ethernet, with all equipment powered by a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery that is recharged every Thursday afternoon. The account, which cuts off mid-description, has drawn modest attention from science-minded readers.

A homeowner is upgrading their home internet connection using cellular broadband rather than fiber, and is asking for advice on equipment. They plan to buy an LTE/5G modem with a SIM slot and an ethernet port to connect to a new router, and are seeking recommendations from others who have built similar setups.

Microchip Technology is drawing attention as analysts weigh whether its expanded Ethernet product portfolio could strengthen the bull case for the company's stock. The semiconductor maker's push into Ethernet connectivity is being framed as a potential catalyst that may change investor sentiment, though no specific financial results or price targets are cited.

The Ethernet specification was first drafted on this day in 1980 by Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel, and Xerox, establishing the networking standard years before the public internet existed. Commenters are marking the milestone by noting how the technology has endured, with Ethernet ports still considered a desirable feature on desktop PCs alongside long-lasting connectors like the 3.5mm audio jack.

Tech observers are marking 45 years since Digital Equipment Corporation published the first Ethernet specification, a milestone that laid the groundwork for the modern internet. Posts celebrating the anniversary also note the irony that the networking standard's birthday coincides with today's rush toward so-called superintelligence and AI, prompting reflection on how far the technology has come since the early networking era.

On this day in 1980, version 1.0 of the Ethernet specification was published by Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel and Xerox, laying the groundwork for the wired networking standard still used worldwide. Tech commentators are marking the anniversary, noting how the DEC-Intel-Xerox collaboration grew into the dominant local area network technology connecting billions of devices today.

Groups promoting Single Pair Ethernet technology have merged to form a new association, according to industry press. Single Pair Ethernet allows data and power delivery over a single twisted pair of wires, making it important for automotive, industrial automation and building applications. The consolidation is expected to unify standardization efforts and give the technology a stronger industry voice.

Microchip Technology has announced new chips expanding its 10BASE-T1S ethernet portfolio. 10BASE-T1S is a single-pair ethernet standard aimed at short-distance connections in automotive, industrial and embedded systems, allowing sensors and controllers to be networked over simple twisted wiring. The addition broadens Microchip's connectivity offering as demand grows for simpler, lower-cost wired networking in vehicles and factory equipment. Details on pricing and availability were not included in the initial coverage.

Microchip Technology has introduced new 10BASE-T1S chips aimed at zonal vehicle designs, a wiring approach that groups car electronics into zones rather than using traditional point-to-point cabling. The single-pair Ethernet components are intended to help automakers cut cabling weight and simplify in-vehicle networks, part of a broader industry shift toward software-defined, zonal electrical architectures.