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PCI Express 5.0 supporting interface chips from Diodes

Date: 06/07/2022
Interface and discrete semiconductor maker Diodes has launched a range of semiconductor chips targeting PC interface standard PCI Express 5.0 protocol. The new PCI Express 5.0 interface allows for 32Gb/s of data transfer in a single channel, which doubled the throughput of PCI Express 4.0. A x 16 PCIe Gen 5 connection has a total bandwidth around 128 GB/s. The higher throughput of the data transfer requires even lower jitter clock signal than PCI Express 4.0. Semiconductor devices announced by Diodes include ReDriver, switch, clock generator, and clock buffer devices.

ReDriver PI3EQX32908 supports 32Gbps data rates defined by PCIe 5.0 specification with eight differential channels, with independent channel configuration. Linear equalization, output swing, and flat gain parameters are all programmable, so that the signal loss issues can be minimized and PCB trace lengths extended. In line with Modern Standby requirements, this device draws less than 5mW of power when the system in which it is incorporated is in deep standby mode. As well as PCIe 5.0 architecture, the ReDriver also supports SAS4 and CXL protocols.

DIODES PI2DBS32212 is claimed as the industry’s first PCIe 5.0 switches. Offering bidirectional operation PI2DBS32212 features 2:1 passive Mux and DeMux functionality. With specifications such as Bit-to-bit skew of 3ps (typical), channel-to-channel skew of only 10ps (typical). When operating at 16GHz, both insertion and return losses remain very low, at -2.7dB and -10.8dB respectively. Its 1.8V supply voltage and compact size make this switch highly suited for use in portable electronic equipment, suggests Diodes. The PI2DBS32212 is also compatible with USB4 Gen 2x1/Gen 3x1 and Thunderbolt 3 data signals.

DIODES PI6CG330440 is a PCIe 5.0 19-output clock generator. This takes a reference input, and then generates 25MHz and 100MHz frequency outputs. It has seven outputs dedicated to 100MHz and three dedicated to 25MHz clock signals. The remaining nine selectable outputs are capable of driving either 25MHz or 100MHz, as required. The proprietary design used achieves very low jitter performance of less than 50fs.

The DIODES PI6CB332001A, is a 20-output fan-out PCIe 5.0 clock buffer that meets the Intel DB2000QL specification. When operating at PCIe 5.0 architecture speeds, this device exhibits minimal additive phase jitter - with 20fs RMS being typical. This gives engineers wider signal integrity margins for their designs.

The on-chip termination on the outputs of both the PI6CG330440 and the PI6CB332001A result in far fewer external components being required, saving board space, as per Diodes. Because of their respective Intel CK440Q and Intel DB2000QL compatibility, they present higher performance drop-in replacements for other clock generator/buffers targeted at server applications, claims Diodes.

“Diodes Incorporated is a valued member of the PCI-SIG and continues to contribute to the progression of PCIe technology within the electronic engineering community,” said Al Yanes, PCI-SIG President and Chairperson. “Through the semiconductor solutions it introduces, the company is helping the latest generations of PCIe technology gain greater pervasiveness within the market.”

“Emergence of the PCIe 5.0 specification offers the prospect of doubling the bandwidth available, and this will be hugely beneficial in all forms of computing equipment and data storage infrastructure,” adds Dr. Jin Zhao, Senior Vice President, Analog Business Group, Diodes Incorporated. “As speeds increase, access to technology that will ensure signal integrity and mitigate losses is becoming more important than ever. Diodes has made a major commitment to supporting PCIe technology, releasing innovative products to address each protocol generation that has emerged. Our new PCIe 5.0 product portfolio continues to build on this strong track record.”

The PI3EQX32908 is supplied in a 62-pin W-QFN package. The PI2DBS32212 comes in a 24-pin X1QFN package taking up only 2.5mm x 2.5mm of PCB space. The PI6CG330440’s 100-pin UQFN package has 8mm x 8mm x 0.6mm dimensions, while the PI6CB332001A 80-pin Aqfn package occupies a 6mm x 6mm footprint. The PI3EQX32908 PCIe 5.0 ReDriver and PI2DBS32212 PCIe 5.0 switch are available at $11 and $1.20 respectively in 3500 piece quantities. The PCIe 5.0 PI6CG330440 clock generator and PI6CB332001A clock buffer are available at $6.48 and $4.80 in 3000 piece quantities.