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. An x 16 PCIe Gen 5 connection has an aggregated bandwidth of 128 GB/s. The higher throughput of the data transfer requires signal conditioner like ReDriver™ for channel extension and an even lower jitter clock signal than PCI Express 4.0.
Diodes Incorporated (Diodes) has a full line of PCIe 5.0 solutions including ReDriver™, analog mux/demux switch, and timing that include clock generators, and clock buffers that meet the PCIe 5.0 specification 1.0 which was released in July 2019.
PCIe 5.0 Solutions from Diodes Incorporated
At the forefront of this portfolio is the DIODES™ PI3EQX32908. Supporting the 32Gbps data rates defined by PCIe 5.0 specification, this ReDriver has eight differential channels, with independent channel configuration. Linear equalization, output swing, and flat gain parameters are all programmable so that the signal loss and differential eye-opening issues can be optimized for PCB trace length extension. In line with modern standby power-saving requirements, this device draws less than 5mW of standby power when the system enters a deep power-saving state. With the linear ReDriver design architecture, the ReDriver can also be used for SAS4 and CXL protocol support.
Accompanying the PI3EQX32908 is the DIODES™ PI2DBS32212, which is one of the industry’s first PCIe 5.0 switches. The bidirectional operation of this two-differential channel device offers 2:1 passive Mux and DeMux functionality. With its unique design, this switch has industry-leading dynamic electrical characteristics that minimize signal attenuation. Bit-to-bit skew is 3ps (typical), while the 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 highly suitable for portable electronic equipment. The PI2DBS32212 is also compatible with USB4 Gen 2x1/Gen 3x1 and Thunderbolt™ 3 for data signal routing.
Also, for emerging PCIe technology applications, there is 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 are capable of driving either 25MHz or 100MHz, as required. The proprietary design used achieves a 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. Because of their respective Intel CK440Q and Intel DB2000QL compatibility, they present higher performance drop-in replacements for other clock generators/buffers targeted at server applications.
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.
