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Diodes Incorporated PI3EQX16821ZLDEX
- Part No.:
- PI3EQX16821ZLDEX
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Category:
- Signal Buffers, Repeaters, Splitters
- Package:
- 40-WFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
PI3EQX16821ZLDEX.pdf
- Description:
- PCIE EQX W-QFN3060-40 T&R 3.5K
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:4,704
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Product details
Overview
PI3EQX16821ZLDEX from Diodes Incorporated is a 16Gbps, 4-channel PCIe 4.0-compliant Mux ReDriver IC with 2:1 multiplexing, 3.3V supply, and -40°C to +85°C operation. It features independent per-channel receiver equalization, output swing, and flat gain control, and uses 100Ω differential CML I/Os for signal integrity restoration in high-speed serial links.
For engineers reviewing the PI3EQX16821ZLDEX datasheet, PI3EQX16821ZLDEX pinout, PI3EQX16821ZLDEX application, or PI3EQX16821ZLDEX equivalent, key selection criteria include PCIe 4.0 lane muxing capability, linear equalizer support for lossy interconnects, I²C vs. pin-strap configuration, and thermal performance in dense server backplanes.
Technical Context
The PI3EQX16821 operates as a transparent, rate- and coding-agnostic redriver - it does not terminate or retime the PCIe 4.0 link, preserving native link training and LTSSM behavior. Its linear equalizer compensates for channel loss up to 20dB at 8GHz while maintaining signal fidelity without introducing jitter multiplication.
Each of its four differential channels supports independent 2:1 mux selection and configurable receive equalization (3 settings), output swing (4 levels), and flat gain (3 levels), enabling fine-tuned optimization across mixed-media topologies - e.g., ASIC-to-switch-fabric, board-to-cable, or mid-board trace extensions.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Data Rate | 16 Gbps per lane - supports full PCIe 4.0 x4 or x8 configurations without lane aggregation overhead. |
| Compliance | Fully compliant with PCI Express Base Specification Rev 4.0 - passes electrical validation including Tx/Rx mask, jitter, and eye diagram requirements. |
| I/O Interface | 100Ω differential CML - matches standard PCIe 4.0 PHY impedance, eliminating need for external AC coupling or termination resistors. |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3V ±5% - compatible with standard server/workstation power rails; no auxiliary voltage required. |
| Operating Temp | -40°C to +85°C - qualified for industrial and enterprise computing environments, not automotive-grade. |
| Control Interface | Pin-strappable or I²C (3 address bits) - enables static configuration or dynamic runtime tuning without FPGA intervention. |
Pinout & Package
ZLD40 (TQFN) package: 40-pin, 3mm × 6mm, 0.4mm pitch, exposed thermal pad. RoHS-compliant, halogen- and antimony-free "Green" construction.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Power supply input | 3.3V main supply for all channels and logic; requires local 100nF + 10µF decoupling. |
| GND | Ground reference | Common return for analog and digital sections; tied to exposed thermal pad for thermal dissipation. |
| CHx_INP/CHx_INN | Differential data input (per channel) | Accepts degraded PCIe 4.0 signals; internal linear equalizer restores eye opening pre-redriving. |
| CHx_OUTP/CHx_OUTN | Differential data output (per channel) | Drives 100Ω CML loads; swing and flat gain programmable per channel to match downstream receiver sensitivity. |
| SCL/SDA | I²C bus interface | Enables dynamic configuration of equalization, swing, and mux routing without reset or power cycle. |
| ENx | Channel enable control | Individual hardware enable/disable per channel; supports power gating during low-activity periods. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Independent per-channel configuration | Each of four lanes can be tuned separately for equalization, swing, and flat gain - critical for non-uniform channel loss in multi-drop or cable-based topologies. |
| Automatic receiver detect | Hardware-level squelch disables output when input signal falls below valid threshold - prevents false signaling during hot-plug or link down states. |
| Transparent link training | No retiming or protocol awareness - preserves native PCIe LTSSM, enabling seamless integration without firmware or BIOS modification. |
| Adaptive power management | Dynamic channel gating reduces quiescent current by >60% when lanes are inactive - extends battery life in portable workstations. |
Applications
| Workstation Backplane Extension | Server PCIe Switch Fabric Interface |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Extending PCIe 4.0 x16 links from CPU socket to remote GPU or NVMe modules across 15cm+ FR4 traces. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Mux ReDriver restoring signal integrity without altering link training or timing budgets. Use Value: Enables reliable 16Gbps operation over lossy PCBs where native PHY margin is insufficient, avoiding costly layer count increases. | Use Scenario: Interfacing dual-root complex ASICs to a PCIe 4.0 switch with shared upstream/downstream port resources. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: 2:1 mux redriver providing lane consolidation and signal conditioning between protocol engines and fabric. Use Value: Eliminates need for discrete mux + redriver combinations, reducing BOM count and layout complexity in 1U/2U server designs. |
| High-Density Rack-Mount Storage Controller | PCIe 4.0 Cable Adapter Module |
Use Scenario: Driving eight PCIe 4.0 lanes from a storage controller ASIC to multiple NVMe U.2/U.3 drives on a shared backplane. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Four independent 2:1 redrivers managing lane allocation and signal recovery for concurrent drive access. Use Value: Maintains <0.5UI jitter accumulation across all active paths, meeting NVMe spec timing margins under simultaneous load. | Use Scenario: Active adapter converting PCIe 4.0 host interface to external 1m passive copper cable with >12dB insertion loss. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Linear equalizer + redriver compensating for frequency-dependent cable attenuation before signal degradation exceeds BER limits. Use Value: Achieves error-free 16Gbps transmission over cables that would otherwise fail PCIe 4.0 compliance testing. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PCIe 4.0 redriver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TI TUSB1042IRGET | Retimer (not redriver); includes embedded clock data recovery and protocol-aware link training. | Required for longer reach (>20dB loss) or multi-segment topologies needing jitter cleanup and retransmission. | Select when channel loss exceeds 20dB or when PCIe link reliability degrades due to accumulated jitter. |
| Maxim MAX96752GTJ+T | Designed for GMSL2 automotive video; not PCIe-compliant, lacks I²C configurability and PCIe 4.0 mask compliance. | Only suitable for non-PCIe, point-to-point high-speed serial links with different protocol framing and timing. | Avoid for PCIe 4.0 systems; use only in GMSL2 camera links or custom SerDes applications. |
Compared with TI TUSB1042IRGET, PI3EQX16821ZLDEX offers lower latency and zero protocol dependency but less jitter tolerance; compared with MAX96752GTJ+T, it delivers certified PCIe 4.0 electrical compliance and flexible per-lane tuning - essential for enterprise compute infrastructure.
Availability
PI3EQX16821ZLDEX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for workstation backplane extension, server PCIe switch fabric interface, and high-density rack-mount storage controller applications requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial lifecycle support.
Supply support for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX 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
Diodes Incorporated is a global semiconductor company specializing in discrete, analog, and mixed-signal ICs for power management, signal integrity, and connectivity applications.
The PI3EQX16821 belongs to Diodes' ReDriver™ family - engineered specifically for high-speed serial interface signal restoration in PCIe, USB, and SATA systems where minimal latency and protocol transparency are mandatory.
FAQ
Is PI3EQX16821ZLDEX a retimer or a redriver?
It is a linear redriver - it amplifies and equalizes the incoming signal without retiming or clock-data recovery. Unlike retimers, it preserves native PCIe link training and does not alter bit timing, making it ideal for short-to-medium reach applications where jitter accumulation is not the dominant impairment.
Does PI3EQX16821ZLDEX support PCIe 5.0?
No. It is specified and validated only for PCIe 4.0 (16 Gbps per lane). Its equalization profile, bandwidth, and eye diagram compliance are optimized for the PCIe 4.0 frequency range (up to ~8 GHz); it does not meet PCIe 5.0 (32 Gbps) electrical requirements or mask tests.
Can PI3EQX16821ZLDEX operate with 1.8V or 2.5V supplies?
No. It requires a nominal 3.3V ±5% supply. The internal CML driver stages and equalizer circuitry are designed exclusively for 3.3V operation; lower voltages will result in insufficient output swing and failure to meet PCIe 4.0 eye height specifications.
What is the function of the ENx pins?
Each ENx pin independently enables or disables its corresponding channel's output driver. When pulled low, the output is high-impedance and squelched; this allows per-lane power gating during idle periods, reducing system-level power consumption without affecting other active lanes.
PI3EQX16821ZLDEX Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Series:
- ReDriver™
- Package/Case:
- 40-WFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- Buffer, ReDriver
- Applications:
- PCI Express®
- Input:
- CML
- Output:
- CML
- Data Rate (Max):
- 16Gbps
- Number of Channels:
- 4
- Delay Time:
- -
- Signal Conditioning:
- Input Equalization
- Capacitance - Input:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- 3.3V
- Current - Supply:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 40-TQFN (3x6)
PI3EQX16821ZLDEX FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX reliable?
The price and inventory of PI3EQX16821ZLDEX are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX?
PI3EQX16821ZLDEX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PI3EQX16821ZLDEX order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX?
For technical support, including PI3EQX16821ZLDEX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PI3EQX16821ZLDEX requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PI3EQX16821ZLDEX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PI3EQX16821ZLDEX products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that PI3EQX16821ZLDEX meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PI3EQX16821ZLDEX?
All PI3EQX16821ZLDEX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PI3EQX16821ZLDEX, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The PI3EQX16821ZLDEX part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PI3EQX16821ZLDEX:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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