Diodes Incorporated PI7C9X2G1616PRBHSBE

Overview

PI7C9X2G1616PR from Diodes Incorporated is a PCI Express Gen 2 packet switch with configurable port-lane topology (2/3/4/6/7/9/10/13/16-port, 16-lane total), supporting transparent and non-transparent bridging modes, integrated DMA engine, and I²C/SMBus/EEPROM system management. It operates at 2.5 GT/s per lane, features 128 KB internal SRAM buffer, and supports hot-plug, AER, and VC arbitration for server backplanes and embedded computing interconnects.

For engineers reviewing the PI7C9X2G1616PR datasheet, PI7C9X2G1616PR pinout, PI7C9X2G1616PR application, or PI7C9X2G1616PR equivalent, key selection criteria include PCIe Gen 2 lane aggregation flexibility, NT-mode address translation capability, integrated DMA offload support, and HSBGA-324 thermal performance in high-density switching applications.

Technical Context

The PI7C9X2G1616PR implements a full PCIe Gen 2 switch fabric with Physical, Data Link, and Transaction Layers compliant to PCIe Base Specification Rev 2.0. It supports up to 16 differential lanes distributed across 9 configurable ports, with per-port receiver equalization, transmitter de-emphasis control, and electrical idle latency management.

Its functional architecture includes dual-mode operation (transparent/non-transparent), a 128 KB shared packet buffer with PH/PD/NPHD/CPLH/CPLD queue segmentation, and an integrated DMA engine supporting scatter-gather descriptors, pause/abort/stop controls, and descriptor prefetch - enabling direct memory access between upstream and downstream domains without host CPU intervention.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The PI7C9X2G1616PR is housed in a 324-ball High-Speed Ball Grid Array (HSBGA) package with 0.8 mm ball pitch, optimized for signal integrity and thermal dissipation in PCIe switch applications. Pin assignments are defined across six functional groups: PCIe interface signals (76 balls), port-specific signals (31 balls), EEPROM/SMBus/I²C signals (10 balls), miscellaneous control signals (65 balls), JTAG boundary scan (5 balls), and power pins (137 balls).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PCIe Gen 2 switch applications.

Compared with ASM1083 and PI7C9X2G304, the PI7C9X2G1616PR uniquely delivers scalable 16-lane topology, integrated DMA offload, and full NT bridging in a single device - making it the only option for high-density, multi-domain PCIe fabrics requiring both bandwidth and security isolation.

Availability

PI7C9X2G1616PR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise storage controllers, modular server backplanes, and industrial control gateways requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing for production programs.

Supply support for PI7C9X2G1616PR 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 interconnect solutions for industrial, computing, and communications markets.

The PI7C9X2G1616PR belongs to Diodes' PCI Express switch product line, engineered specifically for high-reliability, multi-domain PCIe interconnect in storage infrastructure and embedded computing systems requiring hardware-enforced isolation and DMA acceleration.

FAQ

Does the PI7C9X2G1616PR support PCIe Gen 3?

No. The PI7C9X2G1616PR is strictly compliant with PCIe Base Specification Rev 2.0 and operates at 2.5 GT/s. It does not negotiate Gen 3 (5.0 GT/s) signaling, lacks Gen 3 equalization training, and has no support for Gen 3-specific features such as L0s entry/exit timing or modified SKP OS parameters. Systems requiring Gen 3 must use a different switch IC.

Can the PI7C9X2G1616PR operate in transparent mode only?

Yes. Transparent mode is the default operational state when NT_EN# is unasserted at power-on. In this mode, the device functions as a standard PCIe switch with automatic address translation, broadcast forwarding, and standard configuration space access - fully compatible with standard PCIe enumeration and driver stacks without modification.

What is the maximum junction temperature specification?

The absolute maximum junction temperature is +125°C, as specified in Section 13.1 of DS40340 Rev 8-2. Thermal design must ensure TJ remains ≤125°C under worst-case ambient conditions (TA ≤ +85°C) and full 16-lane traffic load, using the θJA value of 22.5°C/W provided in Section 14 for the 324-ball HSBGA package.

Is EEPROM programming required for basic operation?

No. The PI7C9X2G1616PR supports auto-configuration via strapping pins (e.g., MODE[2:0], NT_EN#) for common topologies. EEPROM is optional and used only for advanced configurations like custom port mapping, vendor-specific registers, or persistent DMA descriptor tables - basic transparent switching works immediately after power-up without EEPROM presence.