EPCIE8XG4RDCA01 External PCI Express x8 (with Gen 4 Redriver) Cable Adapter Card

Highlights

External PCIe (SFF-8644 1x2) to PCIe x8 Gen 4 Active (Redriver with Linear Equalization) Cable Adapter
- PCIe x8 Edge Finger
- Redriver with Linear Equalization support PCIe Gen 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0
- External PCIe Cable Port (SFF-8644 1x2 Connector)
  - 4-Lane External PCIe Application: Mini SAS HD 4x Cable
  - 8-Lane External PCIe Application: Two Mini SAS HD 4x Cables or One Mini SAS HD 8x Cable

Introduction

EPCIE8XG4RDCA01 is External PCIe (SFF-8644 1x2) to PCIe x8 Gen 4 Active (Redriver with Linear Equalization) Cable Adapter, it requires no additional software or drivers to operate.

EPCIE8XG4RDCA01 is designed with four Quad-Channel PCIe 4.0 Linear Redrivers to support PCIe Gen 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0.

The Quad-Channel PCIe 4.0 Linear Redriver deploy continuous time linear equalizers (CTLE) to provide a programmable high-frequency boost. The equalizer can open an input eye that is completely closed due to inter-symbol interference (ISI) induced by an interconnect medium, such as PCB traces. The CTLE receiver is followed by a linear output driver. The linear datapaths of Quad-Channel PCIe 4.0 Linear Redriver preserve transmit preset signal characteristics. The linear redriver becomes part of the passive channel that as a whole get link trained for best transmit andreceive equalization settings. This transparency in the link training protocol result in bestelectrical link and lowest possible latency. The programmable equalization of the device along withits linear datapaths maximizes the flexibility of physical placement within the interconnectchannel and improves overall channel performance.

Technical Specifications

Upstream PCIe Interface	PCIe x8 Edge Finger
Downstream PCIe Interface (CON1A, CON1B)	SFF-8644 1x2 Connector 100ohm, 72pin Each SFF-8644 Connector 4-lane PCI Express PCIe Gen 1 (2.5 GT/s) PCIe Gen 2 (5.0 GT/s) PCIe Gen 3 (8.0 GT/s) PCIe Gen 4 (16.0 GT/s) SFF-8644 1x2 Fixed-Side Connectors Pinout
ReDriver Feature	Quad-channel linear equalizer supporting PCIe 1.0/2.0/3.0/4.0 up to 16 Gbps interfaces CTLE boosts up to 18 dB at 8 GHz helps to extend channel reach Automatic receiver detection for PCIe use cases Protocol agnostic linear redriver allows seamless support for PCIe link training Ultra-low latency of 70 ps (typical) Low additive random jitter of 60 fs (typical) with PRBS data Single 3.3-V supply Low active power of 124 mW/channel (typical) - no heat sink required Pin-strap or SMBus programming
Power On Switch (J1)	Power On Switch: JST compatible wafer 2pin (pitch=2.5mm) connector For auto-switch ATX Power Supply you may use a cable (CB-00711) to join EPCIE8XG4RDCA01 and PCIEX16D01
Receiver Equalization	DC Gain Setting: The default DC Gain is 0dB. For most PCIe systems the default DC Gain 0dB would be sufficient. Equalization setting (SW1~SW2) SW1: PCIe Tx0~7 Equalization Setting From PCIe Edge Connector (Side B) to ReDrivers (U1&U2) SW2: PCIe Rx0~7 Equalization Setting From SFF-8644 (CON1) to ReDrivers (U3&U4)
Host / Target Mode	Host / Target Mode Selection (SW5-1 & SW5-2) Install EPCIE8XG4RDCA01 (Host Mode) into PCIe Slot of Mainboard. Install EPCIE8XG4RDCA01 (Target Mode) into PCIe Slot of Docking Board.
REFCLK & Redeiver	REFCLK & Redrivers Setting (SW5-3 & SW5-4) Receiver Detect State Machine Setting: PCIe Rx Detection State Machine is Enabled. Rx Detection is asserted after 1x valid detection. Pre Detect: Hi-Z, Post Detect: 50Ω
WAKE# Setting	Open: Disable Short: Enable
Computer Platform Requirements	Desktop computer equipped with a PCIe 1.0/2.0/3.0/4.0 x8, x16 slot
Physical Dimensions	64.4mm(H) x 96.3mm(L) 57.5NW:g (Unit Package:115.5g)