Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX3754CCM

Overview

MAX3754CCM from Maxim Integrated is a dual-rate Fibre Channel quad-port bypass IC with integrated clock and data recovery (CDR), designed for Arbitrated Loop topology in storage area networks. It supports 1.0625Gbps/2.125Gbps operation, features 1400mV typical differential output swing, 150Ω differential L-port input termination, and operates from a single +3.3V supply. It enables hot-swappable L-port connectivity in Fibre Channel disk arrays.

For engineers reviewing the MAX3754CCM datasheet, MAX3754CCM pinout, MAX3754CCM application, or MAX3754CCM equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, real-world timing role definitions, confirmed pin-level circuit roles, and validated alternatives for Fibre Channel repeater and loop management design.

Technical Context

The MAX3754CCM integrates a rate-selectable CDR with PLL-based jitter attenuation, four serially cascaded port bypass circuits, and differential I/O buffers - all optimized for Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop compliance. Its CDR recovers data corrupted by up to 0.7UI high-frequency jitter (BER = 10⁻¹²) at both 1.0625Gbps and 2.125Gbps.

It uses internal 150Ω differential termination on LIN/LOUT pins and 100Ω on IN/OUT, eliminating external resistors. RATESEL selects data rate; CDREN enables/disables CDR; SEL1–SEL4 control individual port enable/bypass; LOCK indicates frequency lock status.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MAX3754CCM is housed in a 48-pin TQFP-EP (7mm × 7mm, 1.0mm height) with exposed pad requiring connection to ground for thermal performance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Fibre Channel repeater and loop management applications.

Compared with MAX3754CCM, MAX3755CCM offers matched 100Ω L-port termination for direct compatibility with standard FC test setups, while MAX3770AETL+ reduces complexity for single-port applications - neither provides quad-port integration or 150Ω termination required for legacy FC-AL disk array designs.

Availability

MAX3754CCM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for Fibre Channel storage area networks, disk array controllers, and FC-AL test instrumentation requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for MAX3754CCM 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

Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices) is a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and RF ICs for communications, computing, and industrial applications.

The MAX3754/MAX3755 product line was engineered specifically for Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop infrastructure - delivering integrated CDR, quad-port bypass, and impedance-matched I/O to simplify high-reliability storage interconnect design.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the MAX3754CCM in a Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop?

The MAX3754CCM serves as a quad-port bypass IC with integrated clock and data recovery, enabling hot-swappable L-port connectivity and jitter-cleansed signal regeneration in Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop topologies. Its core function is to maintain loop integrity while allowing dynamic enable/disable of up to four physical storage devices - a capability essential for enterprise disk arrays and SAN hubs. The MAX3754CCM achieves this through four independent SEL-controlled bypass paths and a rate-selectable CDR that meets FC-PI jitter tolerance requirements.

How does the MAX3754CCM differ from the MAX3755CCM?

The MAX3754CCM and MAX3755CCM share identical pinout, package, CDR architecture, and dual-rate operation, but differ in differential termination: MAX3754CCM uses 150Ω on LIN/LOUT pins to match legacy Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop specifications, whereas MAX3755CCM uses 100Ω on all L-port terminals. This makes MAX3754CCM optimal for traditional FC-AL disk arrays, while MAX3755CCM better suits systems aligned with standard 50Ω test equipment and modern 100Ω-impedance cabling. Both retain 100Ω termination on IN/OUT.

What is the purpose of the CF± pins on the MAX3754CCM?

The CF± pins on the MAX3754CCM connect to an external 0.047µF capacitor that sets the damping factor and acquisition time of the integrated phase-locked loop (PLL) within the CDR. This capacitor directly determines jitter transfer bandwidth (3–5MHz at 1.0625Gbps, 6–10MHz at 2.125Gbps) and limits peaking to ≤0.05dB - ensuring stable lock under varying jitter conditions. Omitting or mis-sizing the CF capacitor degrades jitter attenuation performance and may cause CDR instability. The MAX3754CCM datasheet specifies 0.047µF as the validated value.

Does the MAX3754CCM require an external reference clock?

No, the MAX3754CCM does not require an external reference clock. It incorporates a fully integrated clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit with an on-chip voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), phase/frequency detector, and loop filter - enabling autonomous clock regeneration from the incoming data stream. The CDR recovers clean clock and data at either 1.0625Gbps or 2.125Gbps depending on RATESEL state, with no external timing source needed. This self-contained architecture reduces system complexity and eliminates clock distribution skew issues common in multi-device FC-AL designs.

What does the LOCK pin indicate, and how is it used in system design?

The LOCK pin on the MAX3754CCM is an active-high TTL output that signals when the internal PLL has achieved frequency lock to the incoming data stream. It settles high only when valid data is present and the CDR is synchronized - making it a direct hardware indicator of loop health and signal validity. In system design, LOCK is commonly monitored by microcontrollers or FPGA logic to trigger fault alerts, initiate diagnostics, or gate downstream processing. Because LOCK may chatter under high-jitter conditions, Maxim recommends adding a low-pass RC filter to suppress false transitions while preserving lock-detection responsiveness.