Mindspeed debuts high-density re-timers for PCI Express and InfiniBand

NEWPORT BEACH, USA: Mindspeed Technologies Inc., a leading supplier of semiconductor solutions for network infrastructure applications, has extended its signal-conditioning portfolio with the addition of three re-timers with integrated clock data recovery (CDR) circuits.

The devices perform challenging backplane signal-conditioning functions in the previously under-served 4.25 Gbps through 5.5 Gbps transmission range, in support of the PCI Express (PCIe) Gen 2 and InfiniBand double data rate (DDR) protocols.

“We are very pleased to welcome these three new parts to Mindspeed’s industry-leading signal-conditioner portfolio,” commented Matthew Bolig, senior product line manager for Mindspeed’s high-performance analog group. “With these new re-timers, we are enabling system designers to overcome extreme PCIe and InfiniBand signal-integrity challenges such as those posed by multiple connector channels and printed circuit boards (PCBs) that have not been backdrilled.”

The M21362 is an ideal solution for implementing long PCIe Gen 2 channels. Its eight half-duplex channels equate to four lanes of PCIe transmission capability, and the device supports Electrical Idle transparency as well as PCIe’s spread-spectrum clocking-and-receive detect feature. Both the M21362 and M21363 support data rates to 5.5 Gbps whereas the M21444 operates up to 4.25 Gbps.

All three products feature fully non-blocking crosspoint switches that allow any input to be connected to any output for the ultimate flexibility in signal switching. The M21362 is equipped with eight half-duplex channels while the M21363 and M21444 each have 12.

Each of the re-timers’ channels features an independently programmable equalizer and an output driver with de-emphasis, enabling them to compensate for insertion losses accumulated across long PCB traces or cables. Each device’s input is equipped with a CDR that dramatically reduces channel jitter that cannot be equalized.

This type of non-equalizable jitter is typically the result of discontinuities and/or crosstalk and is most often found in high-density systems or those using low-cost PCB materials or connectors. Finally, the products feature pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) generators and checkers on each channel. The combination of a crosspoint switch for loopback capability plus PRBS generation and checking provides a powerful tool for quick channel bring-up.

All three devices reduce both space requirements and power consumption. Manufactured in low-power complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), the M21362/63 devices may be powered from a 1.2V supply for the lowest power consumption, with an option to power output drivers at 1.8V for maximum output swing.

All three devices are available for production shipping now. The M21362 is housed in a 10x10 mm quad flat no leads (QFN) package while the M21363 comes in a 12x12 mm QFN and the M21444 comes in a 14x14 extra thin quad flat package (ETQFP) that can optionally be operated with hardware control.