Renesas 89HPES12N3AZGBCI

Overview

89HPES12N3AZGBCI from IDT is a 12-lane, 3-port PCI Express® 1.1 switch IC designed for high-throughput I/O interconnect in servers, storage, and networking equipment. It delivers 2.5 Gbps per lane, supports x4 upstream and dual x4 downstream ports, implements cut-through switching with ≤150 ns latency, and integrates twelve embedded SerDes with on-chip packet buffering.

For engineers reviewing the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI datasheet, 89HPES12N3AZGBCI pinout, 89HPES12N3AZGBCI application, or 89HPES12N3AZGBCI equivalent, key selection criteria include PCIe 1.1 compliance, 3-port topology with configurable link widths (x1/x2/x4), support for eight traffic classes and one virtual channel, ECRC and Advanced Error Reporting, and Hot-Plug I/O expander interface via SMBus master.

Technical Context

The 89HPES12N3AZGBCI implements a layered PCI Express architecture compliant with Base Specification Revision 1.1, including integrated SerDes, Physical, Data Link, and Transaction layers. It operates in either store-and-forward or low-latency cut-through mode and supports memory and I/O transaction switching across three ports.

Its switching core includes a route table, arbitration scheduler, frame buffer, and multiplexer/demultiplexer logic. Configuration is loaded from serial EEPROM via SMBus master interface, while real-time register access is enabled through SMBus slave interface - both supporting full read/write capability to all internal registers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 324-ball BGA (19×19 mm, 1.0 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, thermal pad exposed on underside.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PCIe Gen 1 switch applications.

Compared with 89HPES12N3AZGBCI, the 89HPES12N3AGI offers identical functionality with extended temperature range, while the 89HPES8N3AZC reduces lane count and power consumption but retains pin compatibility - enabling scalable design reuse across commercial and industrial tiers.

Availability

89HPES12N3AZGBCI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise storage backplanes, communications line cards, and server I/O expansion modules requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for 89HPES12N3AZGBCI includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

IDT (Integrated Device Technology, Inc.) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in timing, memory interface, RF, and high-performance interconnect solutions, now part of Renesas Electronics.

The 89HPES12N3AZGBCI belongs to IDT's PRECISE™ family of PCIe switching solutions, engineered specifically for high-reliability, low-latency I/O consolidation in servers, storage arrays, and carrier-grade networking infrastructure.

FAQ

What PCIe specification revision does the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI implement?

The 89HPES12N3AZGBCI implements PCI Express Base Specification Revision 1.1. It supports 2.5 Gbps per lane, 8B/10B encoding, and all mandatory features including Advanced Error Reporting, ECRC, and Native Hot-Plug. It does not support PCIe 2.0 or later revisions, and its maximum payload size is limited to 2048 bytes per TLP.

Does the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI require external configuration memory?

No, the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI does not require external configuration memory for basic operation. Its default configuration is hardwired, but it supports optional loading from an external serial EEPROM via the master SMBus interface when SWMODE is set to 0x1. This enables field-updatable settings without firmware changes.

How many PCIe lanes does the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI support, and how are they allocated?

The 89HPES12N3AZGBCI supports 12 PCIe lanes total, allocated across three ports: Port 0 (upstream, x4), Port 2 (downstream, x4), and Port 4 (downstream, x4). All ports support automatic link width negotiation down to x1, and lane reversal/polarity inversion is handled internally without PCB layout impact.

What power supply sequencing is required for reliable operation of the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI?

The 89HPES12N3AZGBCI requires strict power-up sequencing: (1) VDDIO (3.3 V) first, (2) then VDDCORE, VDDPE, and VDDAPE (all 1.0 V), and (3) finally VTTPE (1.5 V). Power-down must follow the reverse order. Failure to observe this sequence risks internal latch-up and functional failure during startup.

Can the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI support Hot-Plug without additional controller hardware?

Yes, the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI supports PCIe Hot-Plug natively using its master SMBus interface to communicate with standard Hot-Plug I/O expanders (e.g., those used on PC/server motherboards). No separate Hot-Plug controller IC is needed - the device generates SMBus transactions to manage slot presence detection and power control autonomously.