SwitchBlox is a small ethernet switch with five 10/100MB ports, specifically designed for space-constrained and noisy environments.
With an overall size of 44.5mm (1.75 inches) by 44.5mm (1.75 inches), SwitchBlox is the smallest network switch in the world, making it perfect for robots, drones, or any space-limited networking application.
As an unmanaged network switch, it works straight out the box, all you need to do is...
We've squeezed all necessary Ethernet circuitry into SwitchBlox without making performance compromises. We use magnetics for improved signal integrity and electrical isolation between each ethernet bus.
We include everything you need to make this board work out the box. This includes:
5 x Molex PicoBlade to RJ-45, 4 way, 0.3 meter (Data cables)
SKU: BB-PBRJ1-4-0.3
1 x Molex PicoBlade to Tinned Leads, 4 way, 0.3 meter (Power cables)
SKU: BB-PBTL1-4-0.3
Below is a handy graphic that shows how we transition from a Molex Picoblade pinout to the standard RJ-45 ethernet cables. For 10/100 Mbps ethernet we use two differential channels, transmit and receive, for a total of four conductors.
This board is covered by our supply guarantee, which guarantees availability and low lead times until at least 2028. Read more about the BotBlox Supply Guarantee Program.
We offer a fully NDAA compliant version of this hardware, simply select the option at the top of the product page.
Our NDAA version has the same design as the base product, but uses a supply chain based outside of the four adversary countries listed in Executive Order EO13981 (these are Iran, Russian, China and North Korea).
The NDAA compliant version is part of our first stage to move away from a Chinese based supply chain, to meet the needs of our customers who must ensure NDAA and EO13981 compliance in their UAS systems. Read more about our efforts here.
This allows our customers to build NDAA and EO13981 compliant UAS systems with no extra work. We are able to provide full Certificate of Conformities, Bill of Materials and Traceability statements to ensure this. Please note, there is no design difference between this board, and our standard SwitchBlox.
The NDAA compliant version can be used to build BlueUAS compliant UAS systems. Read more about this here.
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.
| Revision | Subrevision | Part number | Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | BB-SWB-A-1 | 01/Jun/2017 | Initial release |
| B | 1 | BB-SWB-B-1 | 01/Aug/2019 | Changed power headers from 2 pin to 5 pin, Added expansion header, Reduced LED current |
| C | 1 | BB-SWB-C-1 | 01/Jul/2020 | Replaced DCDC module with embedded DCDC IC for improved reliability (max input voltage increased to 60V), replaced MCU, Changed PoE circuitry to low side switch, Added PoE LEDs. |
| D | 1 | BB-SWB-D-1 | 01/Sep/2020 | Added transient voltage protection, Increased 5V LED brightness, Swapped ethernet IC, Removed PoE enable resistor by default |
| E | 1 | BB-SWB-E-1 | 01/Sep/2021 | Replaced boot button with reset button, removed microcontroller, PoE circuitry |
| Input Voltage Range | 5-60V (reverse protected) |
|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 300mW (Idle), 700mW (Max) |
| Output Voltage | 5V, 2A (5V test results) |
| Ports | 5 x 10/100Mb ports |
| Operating Temperature | -10 to +80°C |
| Storage Temperature | -65 to +150°C |
| Dimensions | 44.5mm x 44.5mm x 11.3mm |
| HS Tariff Code | 8517.62.00.20 |
| US ECCN | 5A991 |
| Product Status and Lifetime | Active, with a 5-Year Minimum Lifetime |
| Ports | 5 × 10/100 Mb |
| Input voltage | 5–60 V (reverse protected) |
| Power consumption | 300 mW idle · 700 mW max |
| Output | 5 V, 2 A |
| Operating temp. | -10 → +80 °C |
| Storage temp. | −65 → +150 °C |
| Dimensions | 44.5 × 44.5 × 11.3 mm |
No. It's an unmanaged switch, apply 5–60 V DC, connect your devices with the included cables, and it starts forwarding packets. No coding or setup required.
Yes. It uses a supply chain outside the four adversary countries: boards manufactured in Thailand, chips sourced from Digi-Key, Mouser or European distributors.
10/100Mbps
Small 5-port Ethernet switch
SKU · BB-SWB-E-1
In stock and ready to ship.
A compact, unmanaged 5-port 10/100 Ethernet switch designed for space-constrained and noisy environments. Plug-and-play with no configuration, ideal for robots, drones and embedded systems.
| Ports | 5 × 10/100 Mb |
|---|---|
| Data rate | 10/100M |
| Operating temp. | −20 → +85 °C |
| Power input | 5–60 V DC |
| Quantity | Discount |
|---|---|
| 10–19 | 12% off |
| 20–49 | 21% off |
| 50–99 | 30% off |
| 100–499 | 40% off |
| 500–999 | 46% off |
| 1,000+ | 52% off |
10/100Mbps
Small 5-port Ethernet switch
SKU · BB-SWB-E-1
In stock and ready to ship.
| Quantity | Discount |
|---|---|
| 10–19 | 12% off |
| 20–49 | 21% off |
| 50–99 | 30% off |
| 100–499 | 40% off |
| 500–999 | 46% off |
| 1,000+ | 52% off |
A compact, unmanaged 5-port 10/100 Ethernet switch designed for space-constrained and noisy environments. Plug-and-play with no configuration, ideal for robots, drones and embedded systems.
| Ports | 5 × 10/100 Mb |
|---|---|
| Data rate | 10/100M |
| Operating temp. | −20 → +85 °C |
| Power input | 5–60 V DC |
SwitchBlox Nano is an incredibly small micro ethernet switch designed for the most compact applications.
SwitchBlox Rugged is a tiny rugged five port 100MB ethernet switch with an operating temperature range from -40°C to +105°C. With five ports and optional PoE delivery, this board is designed for compact applications such as drones and robots.
DOCUMENTATION SwitchBlox, Built for the Ardupilot Ecosystem Ethernet is quickly becoming the go-to communication bus for drones and robots, and is starting to see more widespread adoption into the Ardupilot ecosystem. To make achieving ethernet communication backbones in Ardupilot systems easier, BotBlox has release SwitchBlox Ardupilot. SwitchBlox Ardupilot is a modified version of our 5 port 10/100Mbps ethernet switch, SwitchBlox, that uses the 4 pin JST-GH 1.25, for easy connectivity to...
The compact, rugged, industrial range OEM Ethernet Switch.
