PCIe 2.0 Switches Add More Complex Functions

Five devices extend the company’s 5-Gb/s PCI Express (PCIe) 2.0 switches with additional complex functions that promise to optimize performance and lower costs in numerous applications. The switches are available for a variety of protocols, including SAS, SATA, XAUI, Infiniband, HyperTransport, Ethernet, HDMI, DVI, DP, and USB. Thought to unique, they provide deterministic timing, zero latency, and operate at the physical layer only. The latest switches include the PI2PCIE2212, PI2PCIE2214, PI2PCIE2442, PI2PCIE2452, and PI3PCIE2215. The PI2PCIE2212 is a one-lane switch providing 2:1 mux/demux via a single select control while the PI2PCIE2214 one-lane device provides 4:1 mux/demux. The PI2PCIE2442 is a two-lane switch providing 2:2 bus exchange via a single select control and the two-lane PI2PCIE2452 delivers 2:2 matrix switching. All five devices support full-duplex, bi-directional operation and, operate at 1.8V nominally, except for the PI3PCIE2215 that operates from a 3.3V supply. Available in various TQFN packages, pricing is under $2 each/10,000. PERICOM SEMICONDUCTOR CORP., San Jose, CA. (800) 435-2336.