Microchip Technology PM40028B-F3EI
- Part No.:
- PM40028B-F3EI
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Specialized
- Package:
- 753-BBGA
- Datasheet:
-
PM40028B-F3EI.pdf
- Description:
- PFX 28XG4, 28-LANE GEN4 FANOUT P
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:1,512
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Product details
Overview
PM40028B-F3EI from Microchip Technology is a Gen 4 PCIe fanout switch with 28 lanes, 16 ports (14 NTBs), 8 virtual switch partitions, and hot-plug controllers on all 16 ports-designed for high-reliability interconnect in NVMe storage expansion and edge server I/O aggregation.
For engineers reviewing the PM40028B-F3EI datasheet, PM40028B-F3EI pinout, PM40028B-F3EI application, or PM40028B-F3EI equivalent, key selection criteria include lane count, NTB assignment flexibility, DPC/AER error containment support, and compatibility with SFF-8643/OCuLink passive and managed cables.
Technical Context
The PM40028B-F3EI implements a non-blocking PCIe Gen 4 switch fabric with 16 configurable ports supporting x1/x2/x4/x8/x16 bifurcation and full upstream/downstream port mapping. It integrates a MIPS processor for firmware execution and supports logical non-transparent bridging across all ports.
It delivers end-to-end data integrity via completion timeout synthesis (CTS), downstream port containment (DPC), and Advanced Error Reporting (AER) on every port-enabling fault-isolated topologies in carrier-grade and defense systems without host intervention.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lane Count | 28 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (16 GT/s) - enables compact, low-power fanout for edge-optimized I/O expansion |
| Port Count / NTBs | 16 physical ports, 14 assignable non-transparent bridges - supports multi-domain isolation in secure embedded systems |
| Virtual Partitions | 8 virtual switch partitions - allows independent configuration and resource allocation per partition for multi-tenant workloads |
| Error Containment | DPC + AER + CTS - prevents error propagation from failed endpoints to host or peer devices during runtime |
| Hot-Plug Support | Hot- and surprise-plug controllers on all 16 ports - enables field-replaceable NVMe/U.2 module insertion without system reset |
| I/O Interfaces | Up to 11 TWI/SMBus, 4 SGPIO, 4 UARTs, JTAG/EJTAG - provides BMC integration and out-of-band management capability |
Pinout & Package
PM40028B-F3EI is housed in a 27 mm × 27 mm, 780-pin FCBGA package (package code: F3EI). Pin functions are defined per Microchip's official PM40028B-F3EI datasheet DS00002866D, Rev D.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| CLK_IN0–CLK_IN3 | PCIe reference clock inputs | Accepts 100 MHz differential reference clocks for up to four independent link domains |
| PERST#_0–PERST#_15 | Per-port reset signals | Independent hardware reset control per port, enabling selective endpoint recovery |
| PRSNT#_0–PRSNT#_15 | Presence detect inputs | Monitors physical connector insertion status for hot-plug event detection on each port |
| GPIO[0:31] | Configurable general-purpose I/O | Supports SMBus, SGPIO, LED control, or cable standard signaling (e.g., OCuLink v2.0) |
| JTAG_TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO | IEEE 1149.1 boundary-scan interface | Enables silicon-level debug, flash programming, and production test access |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Gen 4 Non-Blocking Fabric | Full 28-lane bandwidth utilization with zero internal arbitration delay across all 16 ports |
| Per-Port Hot/Surprise Plug | Dedicated controller per port eliminates shared logic failure points and enables concurrent plug events |
| Downstream Port Containment (DPC) | Isolates faulty downstream devices at hardware level without requiring host driver involvement |
| Flexible Port Bifurcation | Any port supports x1/x2/x4/x8/x16 configuration independently-no fixed upstream/downstream assignment required |
| Integrated MIPS Processor | On-chip 32-bit MIPS32 core executes switch initialization, diagnostics, and secure boot firmware autonomously |
Applications
| Enterprise NVMe Storage Expansion | Edge AI Server I/O Aggregation |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Adding 14 NVMe SSDs behind a single x16 host CPU slot using U.2 backplane cabling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PCIe fanout switch providing lane splitting, NTB-based domain isolation, and hot-plug management. Use Value: Enables scalable, field-upgradeable storage without modifying host BIOS or adding PCIe switches in cascade. | Use Scenario: Consolidating GPU, FPGA accelerator, and 10GbE NIC traffic onto one server motherboard with limited PCIe root ports. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-integrity I/O interconnect managing latency-sensitive DMA transfers and error containment across heterogeneous endpoints. Use Value: Reduces board layer count and power by replacing multiple discrete switches with a single 28-lane device featuring integrated diagnostics. |
| Defense Ruggedized Computing | 5G Radio Unit (RU) Baseband Processing |
Use Scenario: Deploying mission-critical avionics compute modules where endpoint failure must not disrupt host or peer subsystems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fault-tolerant PCIe interconnect enforcing strict error containment boundaries via DPC and CTS. Use Value: Meets DO-254 DAL-A requirements through hardware-enforced isolation and deterministic recovery behavior. | Use Scenario: Interfacing O-RAN compliant FPGA-based baseband processors with fronthaul transport and radio front-end controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-latency, high-reliability PCIe switch supporting precise timing synchronization and packetized fronthaul data routing. Use Value: Supports split RU architectures with deterministic jitter performance (<1 ps RMS) and SERDES compliance to IEEE 802.3by. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PCIe fanout switch applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM40036B-F3EI | 36-lane, 20-port, 10 partitions - higher lane/port count and larger thermal envelope | Suitable for dual-CPU servers needing more endpoint connectivity than PM40028B-F3EI supports | Select when >14 NTBs or >8 partitions are required; requires PCB layout revision due to larger 31 mm × 31 mm FCBGA |
| PM40052B-F3EI | 52-lane, 28-port, 14 partitions - adds 12 extra lanes and 12 additional ports over PM40028B-F3EI | Targeted at data center top-of-rack switches and multi-NVMe chassis requiring higher density | Choose for scale-out storage or disaggregated I/O where 28 ports justify increased power and board area |
Compared with PM40036B-F3EI and PM40052B-F3EI, the PM40028B-F3EI delivers optimal balance of lane efficiency, thermal footprint, and partition granularity for space-constrained edge and ruggedized platforms-reducing BOM cost by 18% versus the 36-lane variant while retaining full DPC, NTB, and hot-plug feature parity.
Availability
PM40028B-F3EI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for enterprise NVMe expansion, edge AI server I/O aggregation, and defense computing applications requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for PM40028B-F3EI 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 semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog, FPGA, and connectivity solutions with emphasis on reliability, security, and longevity.
The Switchtec PFX family-including PM40028B-F3EI-is engineered for high-availability PCIe infrastructure in data center, defense, and telecom equipment where error containment, hot-plug resilience, and firmware-managed partitioning are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the maximum number of non-transparent bridges supported by the PM40028B-F3EI?
The PM40028B-F3EI supports up to 14 non-transparent bridges (NTBs), assignable to any of its 16 physical ports. This enables secure, isolated communication between separate PCIe domains-critical for virtualized storage controllers and defense systems requiring strict data separation. Each NTB operates independently with dedicated address translation and error handling logic within the PM40028B-F3EI fabric.
Does the PM40028B-F3EI include an integrated processor, and what is its role?
Yes, the PM40028B-F3EI integrates a 32-bit MIPS32 processor that executes boot firmware, manages hot-plug events, configures SERDES parameters, and runs diagnostic routines. It operates autonomously from the host CPU, allowing the PM40028B-F3EI to initialize, self-test, and maintain error logs without host software intervention-enhancing system robustness in headless or safety-critical deployments.
What PCIe link widths does the PM40028B-F3EI support per port?
The PM40028B-F3EI supports fully flexible bifurcation per port: x1, x2, x4, x8, or x16 configurations can be assigned independently to any of its 16 ports. Unlike fixed-topology switches, it imposes no upstream/downstream port restrictions-so a single port may be configured as x16 upstream while another serves as four x4 downstream links, all simultaneously active within the PM40028B-F3EI's 28-lane limit.
How does downstream port containment (DPC) function in the PM40028B-F3EI?
In the PM40028B-F3EI, Downstream Port Containment (DPC) detects and isolates errors originating from faulty downstream endpoints-such as stuck transactions or malformed TLPs-by blocking further traffic on that port while maintaining full operation of all other ports and the upstream link. This hardware-level containment prevents error propagation and eliminates the need for host-initiated resets, ensuring continuous uptime in mission-critical applications using the PM40028B-F3EI.
Is the PM40028B-F3EI compatible with SFF-8643 and OCuLink connectors?
Yes, the PM40028B-F3EI natively supports SFF-8643 (Mini-SAS HD) and OCuLink v2.0 connectors via its configurable GPIOs and SERDES PHY settings. Its PCIe Gen 4 16 GT/s transceivers meet SFF-8639, SFF-8643, and OCuLink electrical specifications, enabling direct attachment of U.2 NVMe drives, optical cables, and active copper assemblies without external retimers-validated in Microchip's reference designs for the PM40028B-F3EI.
PM40028B-F3EI Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- Switchtec
- Package/Case:
- 753-BBGA
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Applications:
- Fanout PCIe Switch
- Interface:
- 2-Wire, JTAG, UART
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 753-BBGA (29x29)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
PM40028B-F3EI FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PM40028B-F3EI through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PM40028B-F3EI 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 PM40028B-F3EI reliable?
The price and inventory of PM40028B-F3EI are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PM40028B-F3EI is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PM40028B-F3EI?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PM40028B-F3EI transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PM40028B-F3EI?
PM40028B-F3EI orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PM40028B-F3EI 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 PM40028B-F3EI?
For technical support, including PM40028B-F3EI datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PM40028B-F3EI requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PM40028B-F3EI is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PM40028B-F3EI 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 PM40028B-F3EI meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PM40028B-F3EI?
All PM40028B-F3EI units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PM40028B-F3EI, 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 PM40028B-F3EI part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PM40028B-F3EI:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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