Microchip Technology EQCO31T20.3

Overview

EQCO31T20.3 from Microchip Technology is a 3.125 Gbps asymmetric coaxial driver IC for CoaXPress v1.1 camera interfaces, implementing full-duplex bidirectional communication over a single 75Ω coax cable. It transmits high-speed downlink data (up to 3.125 Gbps) and receives low-speed uplink signals (21 Mbps), supports power-over-coax up to 900 mA, operates from a 1.2V supply, and delivers <70 mW power consumption in industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C).

For engineers reviewing the EQCO31T20.3 datasheet, EQCO31T20.3 pinout, EQCO31T20.3 application, or EQCO31T20.3 equivalent, this device serves as the camera-side transmitter in machine vision systems requiring deterministic triggering, minimal PCB footprint, RF-optimized layout, and simultaneous power/data transport over coax.

Technical Context

The EQCO31T20.3 integrates an active signal splitter/combiner with on-chip 75Ω differential output termination and 100Ω differential input termination. Its pre-driver compensates for input amplitude and slew-rate variations before transmission, while its integrated uplink receiver extracts 21 Mbps LVTTL signals from the same coax by rejecting near-end crosstalk using hybrid subtraction techniques.

It implements transmit wake-up detection that disables the high-speed driver when no valid 2×250 mV differential input is present, preserving low-power operation (<70 mW) while maintaining continuous uplink reception. The device requires external ferrite beads and a 10 µH inductor for Power over CoaXPress (PoCXP) compliance and hot-plug protection.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

EQCO31T20.3 is housed in a 16-pin, 0.65 mm pitch, 4 mm × 4 mm × 0.9 mm QFN package with exposed thermal pad. The package is Pb-free, RoHS-compliant, and designed for RF-optimized PCB layouts requiring ground cutouts under high-speed pins and strict impedance control.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar coaxial driver applications.

Compared with EQCO62T20.3, EQCO31T20.3 reduces power by ~25% and simplifies layout for 3.125 Gbps links, while MAX9278A introduces protocol incompatibility and eliminates PoCXP capability - making EQCO31T20.3 the optimal choice for industrial CoaXPress camera designs.

Availability

EQCO31T20.3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for machine vision inspection, broadcast camera links, traffic monitoring systems, and medical endoscopy imaging requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for EQCO31T20.3 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

Microchip Technology is a global provider of microcontrollers, analog, FPGA, and connectivity solutions, with deep expertise in high-speed serial interfaces and industrial communications ICs.

The EQCO31T20.3 belongs to Microchip's CoaXPress transceiver family, engineered specifically for deterministic, power-efficient, single-cable camera-to-host links in machine vision, medical imaging, and broadcast applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum supported downlink data rate for EQCO31T20.3?

The EQCO31T20.3 supports a maximum downlink data rate of 3.125 Gbps, as defined in the CoaXPress v1.1 specification. This rate is validated across multiple coax types including Belden 7731A (147 m), Belden 1694A (100 m), and Canare L-7CFB (122 m) at room temperature. It is explicitly differentiated from the 6.25 Gbps EQCO62T20.3 variant.

Does EQCO31T20.3 support Power over CoaXPress (PoCXP)?

Yes, EQCO31T20.3 fully supports Power over CoaXPress per the CoaXPress v1.1 standard. It enables up to 900 mA DC power delivery over the same 75Ω coax used for data, using external components: a 10 µH inductor (e.g., Coilcraft 1812PS_103) and two 1 kΩ ferrite beads (e.g., Taiyo Yuden FBMH1608HM102). Direct 24 V application without the inductor will cause permanent damage.

What is the function of the LFVCC pin on EQCO31T20.3?

The LFVCC pin (Pin 13) supplies power to the uplink output driver of EQCO31T20.3. It accepts 1.2 V to 3.3 V, and the LFO output swing directly matches this voltage. This allows level-shifting to interface with host-side logic (e.g., 1.8 V or 3.3 V FPGA I/O), while maintaining 21 Mbps timing integrity and ≤20 pF capacitive load drive capability.

Can EQCO31T20.3 be used interchangeably with EQCO62T20.3 on the same PCB?

Yes - EQCO31T20.3 and EQCO62T20.3 share identical pinout, package (4 mm QFN), and footprint. They are drop-in replacements for board-level design reuse; however, EQCO62T20.3 enables 6.25 Gbps operation and consumes higher power, while EQCO31T20.3 is optimized for 3.125 Gbps with <70 mW consumption and reduced thermal load.

What are the absolute maximum ratings for EQCO31T20.3 supply voltage?

The absolute maximum supply voltage for EQCO31T20.3 is +1.4 V on VCC relative to ground. Operating outside the recommended 1.15–1.25 V range may cause functional failure or accelerated wear. Exceeding +1.4 V risks permanent damage, as confirmed in DS60001301B Table 3-1. LFVCC has a separate absolute max of +3.6 V.