DS80PCI800: When do we need a PCIe repeater?

Hi,

1. There is no specific length maximum.  Mostly the system will be limited by transmission losses.  The maximum loss used in systems is given by the calibration channel guidelines in the PCIe base specification.  For Gen3 the calibration channel loss is listed at 20-22 dB @ 4 GHz.  Typical losses in Gen3 systems are just under 1 dB/inch.  High performance board material will reduce the loss and allow for longer transmission distance.

2. We recommend to look at repeaters as the worst case loss approaches the 20 dB level.  For Gen3 systems the DS80PCI800 and DS80PCI810 repeaters are most often used in systems with 20-30dB of attenuation.  Certainly above 35dB customers are looking to architect a retiming element (PCIe switch or retimer) into the channel.

Regards,

Lee

Thanks, Lee

Is TI have any doc for PCIe Gen3.0 layout guidelines?  Not sure whether AC caps should be placed near TX IC or near connector. And other general guidelines are welcome.

Hi,

I do not have a specific document for layout.  When I review layouts here are the recommendations I make most often.

1. Place the AC caps closer to the PCB connecter, away from the Tx IC pins.  This allows any reflected energy time to dissipate within the transmission line and have little impact on the signal jitter content.

2. Use 85 Ohm differential traces for PCIe applications.

3. Use 0201 size AC coupling capacitors with a value of 0.22uF for PCIe applications.

4. If 0402 size AC coupling capacitors are used, they will benefit from a GND relief directly below the capacitor footprint.  This is especially true as the dielectric thickness used in the adjacent PCB layter is < 5mils.

5. The DS80PCI800 high speed pads will benefit from a GND relief as well, especially true as the dielectric thickness used is < 5mils.

6. Match the intra-pair length of signals.

7. Invert routing of P/N signals as needed to create the best layout.  PCIe components can internally invert the received signal.

Regards,

Lee 

Hi Lee

Thanks for answer. some questions to consult.

1. Our situation is, if we put AC caps near connector , we have to add one more pair of trasinstion-layer vias than the situiation when caps near IC . Seems hard to choose. Personally I think the caps should be ok to be placed near IC, ,what's more, I think vias are more detrimental than locations of caps. How do you think?

2. For your poitns 4/5, I searched some tech note, and indeed found there is recommnedation that "cut the GND under the AC caps", I think this is what you refer as "GND relief directly below the capacitor footprint". Could you plesea expalin why this method helps better signal quality? 

Thanks again !

referance note: www.intel.com/.../tb-095.pdf

Hi,

1. I agree with you.  I would not add an extra via pair to place the AC caps near the connector.  I would place them near the IC.  I think the extra via is worse for the signal and takes up additional PCB routing space.

2. Yes this is exactly what I was referring to in my previous post. 

Placing the GND relief (cut-out) under the pad helps impedance control in most cases.  The AC coupling capacitor footprint pads a much bigger than the microstrip trace width which is designed for 85 Ohms differential in PCIe.  Since it is bigger the local impedance at the capacitor would be too low if there was GND under the capacitor pads.  By removing the GND we reduce the amount of capacitance from the pad to the GND plane.  This increases the impedance at this point to help bring the value closer to the target of 85 Ohms differential.

This technique is especially useful when the AC caps are placed close to the Tx pins.  At the Tx there is more high frequency energy available in the signal.  At the Rx side the high frequency has already been attenuated away.  This high frequency energy is more likely to be reflected by localized impadance issues from the AC capacitor pads.

Regards,

Lee

Hi Lee, thanks for explain. 

One remaining question is how deep should we cut out the GND under the capacitors , and why? Thanks!

Our stackup is 18 layers as below, I think we should cut the GND on layer2, so the PCIe signals which flows through AC caps will be forced to refer the GND on layer 4. How do you think? 

TOP_signal (capacitors),

Layer2_GND,

Layer3_signal,

Layer4_GND,

Layer5_signal(PCIe),

Layer6_GND,

Layer7_signal,

Layer8_power,

and .....so on

Hi,

Just cutting the layer immediately under the capacitors is enough.  In your case with the capacitors on the TOP layer the cutouts will be in Layer2_GND only.

Regards,

Lee