Center tap of transformer for Ethernet interface

Question

When you see Ethernet PHY chips' application circuit, you can find out the difference about connecting center tap of transformer.
Some PHYs should be connect to the DC power but some don't connect to it.

The following circuit diagram is for LAN8720a interface circuit.

It should be connected to the AVDD directly (Case A in the image).
But some other PHY application circuits are different (Case B).

Now, I have some questions:

1. Why application circuits are different according to the PHY?

2. What is happenning if I connect the center tap to the power for the Case B PHY?

Thank you.

Answer 1

It depends on the output type of the PHY.

If it has open-drain outputs then it requires the center tap to be connected to Vcc. If it has push-pull outputs then the center tap has to float.

There are probably silicon-level trade-offs like area vs. power vs. speed vs. EMC vs. manufacturing process etc. that lead to choosing open-drain or push-pull configuration.

If you connect the center tap to Vcc for a PHY that does not allow that then in the best case it may just work, or it may only work for a particular speed, or it may not work, or you will blow the chip.