Renesas 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8

Overview

89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 from IDT is a 12-lane, 3-port PCI Express 1.1 switch IC designed for high-throughput I/O expansion in servers and storage systems. 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 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 datasheet, 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 pinout, 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 application, or 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 equivalent, key selection criteria include PCIe 1.1 compliance, 3-port topology with configurable link widths (x1/x2/x4), support for ECRC and Advanced Error Reporting, Hot-Plug I/O expander interface via SMBus master, and 19×19 mm 324-ball BGA packaging.

Technical Context

The 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 implements a layered PCI Express architecture compliant with Base Specification Revision 1.1, integrating SerDes, Physical, Data Link, and Transaction layers across all three ports. Its cut-through switch core enables sub-150 ns forwarding latency for memory-mapped and I/O transactions while supporting eight traffic classes and one virtual channel for QoS-aware routing.

Configuration is managed through dual SMBus interfaces: a slave interface for runtime register access and a master interface for loading configuration from external serial EEPROM or interfacing with Hot-Plug I/O expanders. Lane reversal, polarity inversion, and automatic link width negotiation are handled autonomously per port without host intervention.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Packaged in a 19×19 mm, 324-ball BGA (ball pitch: 1.0 mm), RoHS-compliant, lead-free package designated BCG324.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8, the 89HPES12T3AGI offers identical functionality with extended thermal rating, while the 89HPES8T3AGI trades lane count and package size for lower power and footprint-enabling optimization for thermal, space, or cost constraints without redesigning the PCIe topology.

Availability

89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for server motherboard design, enterprise storage controller development, and communications equipment backplane integration requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 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 high-performance timing, memory interface, and interconnect solutions, now part of Renesas Electronics.

The 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 belongs to IDT's PRECISE™ family of PCIe switching solutions, engineered specifically for high-reliability, low-latency I/O expansion in data center and infrastructure applications.

FAQ

What PCIe specification revision does the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 implement?

The 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 implements PCI Express Base Specification Revision 1.1, supporting 2.5 Gbps per lane, 8b/10b encoding, and full compliance with transaction, data link, and physical layer requirements defined in that revision. It does not support PCIe 2.0 or later generations.

Does the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 require external SerDes or clock generators?

No. The 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 integrates twelve 2.5 Gbps embedded SerDes with on-die 8b/10b encoder/decoder and PLL-based clock generation from a single differential reference clock input (100 or 125 MHz), eliminating the need for external transceivers or clock synthesizers.

How is Hot-Plug functionality implemented on the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8?

Hot-Plug is implemented via the master SMBus interface: the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 communicates with an external I/O expander (e.g., TI TPS2384) to drive slot presence detect and power enable signals, and receives interrupt notifications (via GPIO[2]/[4]) when card insertion/removal events occur.

What is the function of the RSTHALT pin on the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8?

The RSTHALT pin allows controlled exit from fundamental reset: when asserted during PERSTN deassertion, it halts the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 in reset while keeping the slave SMBus active, enabling firmware to configure registers before normal operation begins.

Can the 89HPES12N3AZGBCI8 operate with mixed link widths across its three ports?

Yes. Each port independently negotiates link width (x1, x2, or x4) during PCIe training. For example, the upstream port may run at x4 while downstream ports operate at x2 and x1 respectively-configurable via SWMODE pins or runtime register writes.