Microchip introduces the industry's shortest latency PCI Express 5.0 and CXLTM 2.0 retimers

     With the increasing demand for high-performance computing in data center workloads, new ultra-low latency signal transmission technologies are urgently needed to enhance the performance of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and other computing workload applications. To meet this demand, Microchip Technology announced the launch of low-latency PCI Express (PCIe) 5.0 and Compute Express Link (CXL) 1.1/2.0, the XpressConnect family of retimers.

     The XpressConnect family of retimers offers three times the coverage of PCIe fifth-generation electrical signals, enabling data center equipment vendors to take advantage of technological advancements in next-generation compute IO performance while providing the flexibility and connectivity needed for advanced hardware architectures. The XpressConnect retimer provides ultra-low latency signal transmission to support the heaviest computing workloads in AI, ML, communications systems, and high-performance computing applications.

     Andrew Dieckmann, vice president of marketing and application engineering in Microchip's Data center Solutions business unit, said: "As the demand for storage, compute and memory bandwidth continues to grow, hyperscale data centers, servers and storage vendors continue to look to Microchip for leading compute, storage and memory connectivity solutions. "Microchip is uniquely positioned to provide seamless interoperability with XpressConnect retimers because of our broad portfolio of PCIeSwitchtecTM and Flashtec products and close relationships with industry partners to help customers reduce engineering costs and achieve faster time-to-market."

     The XpressConnect family provides wider coverage and latency more than 80% lower than the PCIe specification, with pin-to-pin latency of less than 10 ns. The XpressConnect retimer is available in different models that support multiple channel numbers, the largest of which is the 16-channel PCIe Gen 5, which connects a variety of PCIe and CXL devices. The XpressConnect retimer supports passive copper and optical cables with high reliability features such as hot swap and brute force swap. XpressConnect enables system integrators to use lower cost cable and board materials to provide cost-effective solutions for motherboards, backplanes, cables, and adapter cards.

     To enable customers to achieve rapid time-to-market, Microchip worked with Intel  to develop the XpressConnect reference design in the form of a standard transfer card. The design is available through Intel's Resource and Design Center. XpressConnect also supports ChipLink diagnostics and development tools to reduce engineering development costs and speed time to market.

     Jim Pappas, technical program director at Intel, said: "PCIe 5.0 and CXL will enhance the workload performance and capabilities of Intel's future Xeon scalable processors, codenamed 'Sapphire Rapids.' As with all new standards, the adoption of PCIe 5.0 and CXL will depend on validation and interoperability provided by industry leaders. Microchip and Intel have a long history of working together on PCIe solutions. We are excited to continue working together to provide a robust ecosystem that makes it easy to adopt low-latency retimers for the next generation of PCIe 5.0 and CXL 1.1/2.0 solutions."

     Barry McAuliffe, Chairman of the CXL Consortium, said: "Microchip is a significant contributor to the CXL Consortium, both as a CXL board member and as a member of the technical working group that developed the CXL specification. Microchip's XpressConnect low-latency retimer is a useful addition to the CXL ecosystem."