I3C bus extensions support AMI customers in DDR5 progression
Firmware and software company, AMI, has qualified solutions partner Renesas’ I3C bus extension products for its MegaRAC SP-X Remote Management Firmware. The I3C devices provide a migration path for customers shifting their DDR5 platforms and boards from I2C, or other legacy expansion specifications, to the high speed I3C specification.
The expanded I3C portfolio ecosystem enables both software and hardware customers to specify and design-in the Renesas IMX and SPD products with confidence, says the company. The I3C portfolio was previously qualified with hardware, baseboard management controller (BMC), and other silicon-on-chip partners.
The IMX3102 2:1 bus multiplexer, IMX3112 1:2 bus expander, and DDR5 SPD Hub SPD5118 devices can be used to implement I3C Basic as a system management bus for control plane designs across a variety of applications, including data centre and server applications, enterprise, factory automation, and communications equipment. The IMX and SPD devices are intended for designs when there may be multiple masters, a large number of endpoint devices, and long traces which can impact bus complexity and signal integrity.
As DDR5 continues to gather momentum in the industry, the I3C interface is gaining acceptance as a high speed control interface for applications requiring faster communication between host and peripheral or slave devices, explains Renesas. I3C has speeds of 12.5MHz which exceed that of I2 and analogue passive quick switches.
“Industry transformations such as the migration of control plane designs to the faster and more robust I3C standard require broad ecosystem support at both hardware and software levels in order to be successful,” said Rami Sethi, vice president and general manager of the data centre business division at Renesas.
“The next-generation I3C interface meets industry needs driven by aggressive data centre growth and increased demand for security infrastructure and more efficient hardware in industrial, automotive, and telecommunications systems,” added Kelly Bryant, chief product officer at AMI.
I3C devices and evaluation boards are available now from Renesas.
