Diodes unveils devices to support PCIe 5.0 computing
Diodes has unveiled a portfolio of products supporting the new PCI Express (PCIe) 5.0 protocol. This includes ReDriver, switch, clock generator and clock buffer devices for use in portable and desktop computing, data centre, and high performance computing (HPC) applications.
Within this portfolio is the Diodes PI3EQX32908. Supporting the 32Gbytes per second data rates defined by PCIe 5.0 specification, this ReDriver has eight differential channels, with independent channel configuration. Linear equalisation, output swing and flat gain parameters are all programmable, so that the signal loss issues can be minimised 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.
Accompanying the PI3EQX32908 is the Diodes PI2DBS32212, which is claimed to be one of the industry’s first PCIe 5.0 switches. The bi-directional operation of this two-differential channel device offers 2:1 passive Mux and DeMux functionality. This switch has electrical characteristics that minimise signal attenuation. Bit-to-bit skew is 3ps (typical), while channel to channel skew is 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 suited for use in portable electronic equipment, the company claimed. The PI2DBS32212 is also compatible with USB4 Gen 2×1/Gen 3×1 and Thunderbolt 3 data signals.
For emerging PCIe technology applications, there is also the Diodes PI6CG330440, which 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 can drive either 25MHz or 100MHz. The proprietary design used is claimed to achieve 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 fewer external components being required, saving board space. Because of their respective Intel CK440Q and Intel DB2000QL compatibility, the company claimed they present higher performance drop-in replacements for other clock generator/buffers targeted at server applications.
“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,” added Dr. Jin Zhao, senior vice president, Analog business group, Diodes.
As speeds increase, access to technology that will ensure signal integrity and mitigate losses is becoming more important. Diodes has released products to address each protocol generation that has emerged and the new PCIe 5.0 product portfolio continues to build on this strong track record, Zhao added.
The PI3EQX32908 is supplied in a 62-pin W-QFN package. The PI2DBS32212 comes in a 24-pin X1QFN package taking up only 2.5 x 2.5mm of PCB space. The PI6CG330440’s 100-pin UQFN package has 8.0 x 8.0 x 0.6mm dimensions, while the PI6CB332001A 80-pin aQFN package occupies a 6.0 x 6.0mm footprint.
Diodes delivers semiconductor products to companies in the consumer electronics, computing, communications, industrial, and automotive markets. It offers a range of application-specific solutions, coupled with sites including engineering, testing, manufacturing, and customer service.
