GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Am79C972 PCnet-FAST+ controller is a highly integrated 32-bit full-duplex, 10/100-Megabit per second (Mbps) Ethernet controller solution, designed to address high-performance system application requirements.

It is a flexible bus mastering device that can be used in any application, including network-ready PCs and bridge/router designs. The bus master architecture provides high data throughput and low CPU and system bus utilization. The Am79C972 controller is fabri
cated with advanced low-power 3.3-V CMOS process to provide low operating current for power sensitive applications.

The Am79C972 PCnet-FAST+ controller also has several enhancements over its  predecessor, the Am79C971 PCnet-FASTdevice. In addition to integrating the SRAM on chip, it further reduces system implementation cost by the addition of a new EEPROM programmable pin (PHY_RST), an internal oscillator circuit eliminating the need for an external crystal, and the integration of the PAL function needed for Magic Packet application. The PHY_RST pin is implemented to reset the external PHY without increasing the load to
the PCI bus and to block RSTto the PHY when PG input is LOW.