Diodes Incorporated PI3PCIE3442AZHEX
- Part No.:
- PI3PCIE3442AZHEX
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Category:
- Specialized
- Package:
- 42-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
PI3PCIE3442AZHEX.pdf
- Description:
- IC INTERFACE SPECIALIZED 42TQFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,634
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Product details
Overview
PI3PCIE3442AZHEX from Diodes Incorporated is a PCIe 3.0-compliant 2-lane (8-channel) differential exchange switch with pass-through pinout, supporting bidirectional 8.0 Gbps data rates, 10 ps bit-to-bit skew, and -1.45 dB insertion loss at 4.0 GHz. It enables dynamic reconfiguration of PCIe or DisplayPort 1.2 signal paths in notebook docking stations and multi-display systems.
For engineers reviewing the PI3PCIE3442AZHEX datasheet, PI3PCIE3442AZHEX pinout, PI3PCIE3442AZHEX application, or PI3PCIE3442AZHEX equivalent, key selection criteria include differential channel count, PCIe 3.0 compliance, SEL/OE# control timing (tPZH ≤ 45 ns), VDD = 3.3V ±10% operation, and industrial temperature range (-40°C to +85°C).
Technical Context
This device implements a 2×2 differential exchange matrix with two independent switching modes controlled by SEL: low enables A↔B and C↔D routing; high enables A↔D and C↔B routing. All 8 differential channels support full PCIe 3.0 signaling integrity up to 8.0 Gbps.
It features active-low OE# enabling full I/O high-impedance state for system-level power management. DC characteristics include VIH ≥ 0.65×VDD, VIL ≤ 0.35×VDD, and IDD ≤ 300 µA under static conditions - optimized for low-power, high-speed interconnect applications.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Data Rate | 8.0 Gbps - supports full PCI Express® 3.0 lane speed without retiming or protocol awareness |
| Insertion Loss | -1.45 dB @ 4.0 GHz - ensures minimal signal amplitude degradation across PCIe Gen3 Nyquist frequency |
| Bit-to-Bit Skew | 10 ps - maintains differential pair timing alignment critical for eye opening at 8 Gbps |
| Crosstalk | -20 dB @ 4.0 GHz - suppresses inter-pair interference in dense DP/PCIe routing environments |
| Supply Voltage | 3.3 V ±10% - compatible with standard PCIe auxiliary power rails and industrial logic supplies |
| Operating Temp | -40°C to +85°C - qualified for embedded computing, docking, and industrial display systems |
| ESD Tolerance | 2 kV HBM - provides robust handling margin during board assembly and system integration |
Pinout & Package
PI3PCIE3442AZHEX uses a 42-contact, 3.5 mm × 9 mm Very Thin Quad Flat No-Lead (TQFN-ZH) package with exposed thermal pad. Pin numbering follows standard counter-clockwise layout starting from top-left corner.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A0+ / A0− | Differential I/O, Port A, Lane 0 | Primary input/output port for first PCIe/DP differential pair; connects to source or sink depending on SEL state |
| B0+ / B0− | Differential I/O, Port B, Lane 0 | Secondary port routed to A0± when SEL = 0; used for downstream PCIe endpoint or display interface |
| C0+ / C0− | Differential I/O, Port C, Lane 0 | Third port; connects to D0± when SEL = 0, or B0± when SEL = 1 - enables crossbar topology |
| D0+ / D0− | Differential I/O, Port D, Lane 0 | Fourth port; completes 2×2 exchange matrix; supports dual-display or dual-host configurations |
| SEL | Digital Control Input | Selects exchange mode: low → A↔B/C↔D; high → A↔D/C↔B - enables dynamic path reassignment |
| OE# | Active-Low Output Enable | Drives all I/O into high-impedance state when asserted; essential for hot-plug and power-gating scenarios |
| VDD (Pins 18,20,30,40,42) | Power Supply | Five dedicated 3.3 V supply pins minimize IR drop and improve PSRR for high-speed analog switching core |
| GND (Pins 19,21,39,Center Pad) | Power Ground | Four ground connections plus exposed thermal pad ensure low-inductance return path and thermal dissipation |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| PCIe 3.0–compliant signal integrity | Validated -1.45 dB insertion loss and -20 dB crosstalk at 4.0 GHz ensures Gen3 eye compliance without equalization overhead |
| Pass-through pinout architecture | Minimizes PCB trace length mismatch between adjacent differential pairs - reduces layout-induced skew |
| Bi-directional 2×2 exchange matrix | Enables flexible routing of two independent high-speed lanes without directionality constraints or protocol dependency |
| Low-power enable/disable control | OE# and SEL inputs draw ≤ ±10 µA - allows direct connection to FPGA GPIO or PMIC sequencers without level-shifting |
| Industrial-grade thermal design | Thermal pad and multiple VDD/GND pins sustain 300 µA IDD at -40°C to +85°C - suitable for fanless embedded enclosures |
Applications
| PCIe Docking Station | Multi-Display Laptop Hub |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: A USB-C dock routes two PCIe Gen3 lanes from host laptop to external NVMe SSD and GPU enclosure. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Differential exchange switch dynamically assigns PCIe lanes between storage and graphics peripherals based on user configuration. Use Value: Eliminates need for separate PCIe switches or retimers; maintains 8.0 Gbps link integrity with <10 ps intra-pair skew. |
Use Scenario: A compact laptop docking station delivers DisplayPort 1.2 signals to dual monitors while preserving USB and power delivery over single Type-C cable. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Reconfigurable DP lane router toggles between monitor A and monitor B using SEL control, enabling seamless display switching. Use Value: Supports 4K@60Hz dual-display output with guaranteed -20 dB crosstalk at 4.0 GHz - prevents visual artifacts or sync loss. |
| Embedded Vision System | Industrial Test Equipment |
|
Use Scenario: An FPGA-based vision processor routes camera sensor data streams to either local memory or external capture card via PCIe interface. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-speed differential multiplexer selects between internal and external data paths without introducing jitter or amplitude distortion. Use Value: Maintains 8.0 Gbps throughput with -26 dB return loss up to 2.8 GHz - preserves signal fidelity for real-time image processing. |
Use Scenario: Automated test equipment switches high-speed serial links between multiple DUTs (devices under test) during production validation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-latency exchange switch toggles signal paths in <45 ns (tPZH), enabling rapid test sequence execution. Use Value: Enables sub-50 ns path reconfiguration while sustaining -19 dB off-isolation at 4.0 GHz - prevents cross-talk between test fixtures. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar differential exchange switch applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| PI3DBS3224 | 4-lane, 2:1 mux architecture (not exchange); no SEL-controlled crossbar mode | Fixed routing only - cannot swap A↔D/C↔B; suited for source-selection, not path reassignment | Choose when topology requires static lane assignment rather than dynamic exchange |
| TS3DV642A | 6-lane, 2:1 mux with 3.3 V supply but higher insertion loss (-2.1 dB @ 4 GHz) and no OE# pin | Lacks output disable capability - limits use in hot-plug or power-gated systems | Prefer when cost sensitivity outweighs need for OE# control and tighter skew performance |
Compared with PI3DBS3224 and TS3DV642A, PI3PCIE3442AZHEX uniquely delivers true 2×2 bidirectional exchange with OE#-enabled tri-state and 10 ps bit-to-bit skew - making it the only option for PCIe/DP re-routing where path flexibility and signal integrity are co-dependent.
Availability
PI3PCIE3442AZHEX is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for PCIe docking stations, multi-display laptop hubs, embedded vision systems, and industrial test equipment requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.
Supply support for PI3PCIE3442AZHEX 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 manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and integrated circuits, specializing in high-performance analog, logic, and connectivity solutions for industrial, computing, and consumer markets.
The PI3PCIE3442A belongs to Diodes' high-speed signal integrity product line, designed specifically for PCIe Gen3 and DisplayPort 1.2 re-routing applications demanding low skew, low crosstalk, and robust thermal performance.
FAQ
What is the function of the OE# pin on PI3PCIE3442AZHEX?
The OE# (Output Enable, active-low) pin places all differential I/O ports (A/B/C/D) into high-impedance state when driven high. This allows safe hot-plug operation, power gating during idle periods, and isolation during system reset sequences - critical for PCIe link training stability and DP hot-plug detection compliance.
Can PI3PCIE3442AZHEX be used for USB 3.1 Gen2 signals?
No. While its bandwidth (6.5 GHz -3dB) exceeds USB 3.1 Gen2's 10 Gbps requirement, the device lacks USB-specific equalization, common-mode voltage tolerance, and SS (SuperSpeed) lane polarity inversion support. Its pinout, truth table, and characterization are strictly optimized for PCIe 3.0 and DP 1.2 differential signaling protocols.
How does the SEL pin affect signal routing in PI3PCIE3442AZHEX?
When SEL = 0, the device configures as two independent pass-through paths: A0–A3 ↔ B0–B3 and C0–C3 ↔ D0–D3. When SEL = 1, it reconfigures as crossed paths: A0–A3 ↔ D0–D3 and C0–C3 ↔ B0–B3. This enables dynamic reassignment of PCIe/DP lanes without changing PCB layout or firmware-level link training.
Is PI3PCIE3442AZHEX compatible with both 42-pin ZH and 40-pin ZL packages?
No. PI3PCIE3442AZHEX specifically denotes the 42-pin TQFN-ZH (3.5×9 mm) variant. The 40-pin ZL version is designated PI3PCIE3442AZLEX. Pin counts, dimensions, and pin assignments differ significantly - including relocated VDD/GND pins and shifted SEL/OE# positions - making them mechanically and electrically non-interchangeable.
PI3PCIE3442AZHEX Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Series:
- PCI Express® (PCIe)
- Package/Case:
- 42-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Applications:
- PCIe
- Interface:
- PCI Express
- Voltage - Supply:
- 3V ~ 3.6V
- Supplier Device Package:
- 42-TQFN (9x3.5)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
PI3PCIE3442AZHEX FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PI3PCIE3442AZHEX through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PI3PCIE3442AZHEX 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 PI3PCIE3442AZHEX reliable?
The price and inventory of PI3PCIE3442AZHEX are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PI3PCIE3442AZHEX is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PI3PCIE3442AZHEX?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PI3PCIE3442AZHEX transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PI3PCIE3442AZHEX?
PI3PCIE3442AZHEX orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PI3PCIE3442AZHEX 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 PI3PCIE3442AZHEX?
For technical support, including PI3PCIE3442AZHEX datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PI3PCIE3442AZHEX requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PI3PCIE3442AZHEX is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PI3PCIE3442AZHEX 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 PI3PCIE3442AZHEX meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PI3PCIE3442AZHEX?
All PI3PCIE3442AZHEX units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PI3PCIE3442AZHEX, 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 PI3PCIE3442AZHEX part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PI3PCIE3442AZHEX:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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