Samples of the new PCI100x family of Switchtec PCIe Gen 4.0 switches, which allow packet switching and multi-host applications, are now available, according to Microchip Technology.
A single host PCIe port can be extended to up to six endpoints with the PCI1005 packet switch. The PCI1003 device is completely adjustable to provide 4–8 ports and uses Non-Transparent Bridging (NTB) to enable multi-host connectivity. Every device can function at up to 16GT/s and complies with the PCI-SIG Gen5 specification. All versions support high-speed DMA.
Completion Timeout Synthesis (CTS), downstream port containment (DPC), and automatic error reporting (AER) are examples of advanced Switchtec technology capabilities. Commercial (0°C to +70°C), industrial (-40°C to +85°C), and automotive Grade 2 (-40°C to +105°C) environmental ratings are among the broad temperature ranges in which the PCI100x devices are offered.
Microchip’s broad portfolio of PCIe switches provides high-density, low-power and reliable solutions for applications like data centers, GPU servers, SSD enclosures and embedded computing.
The portfolio also includes Flashtec® NVMe® controllers and NVRAM drives, Ethernet PHYs and switches, timing solutions and Flash-based FPGAs and SoCs, supporting markets such as storage, automotive, industrial and communications.
For more information about PCIe switches, visit the web page.
Key Comments
“The PCI100x family is a cost-effective solution that does not compromise on high performance and high reliability. It enables designers to now take advantage of PCIe switch capabilities for mass market automotive and embedded computing applications,” said Charles Forni, vice president of Microchip’s USB and networking business unit. “In addition to these connectivity solutions, customers can get many critical components from Microchip including timing, power management and sensors.”
Pricing and Availability
The PCI1005 and PCI1003 switches are now available in limited sample quantities. Pricing for the PCI1005 commercial variant is $43 each in 1,000-unit quantities (note pricing is subject to change).
For additional information and to purchase, contact a Microchip sales representative or visit Microchip’s Purchasing and Client Services website, www.microchipdirect.com.
Importance of PCIe Switches
PCIe switches are an essential solution for data center, industrial, and automotive applications where smooth connection between several devices or subsystems and effective control of high-bandwidth data transfer are crucial. They offer low-latency connectivity, scalability, and reliability—all essential for managing the taxing workloads of contemporary High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems.