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Microchip Technology PM40068B-FEI
- Part No.:
- PM40068B-FEI
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Specialized
- Package:
- 1467-BBGA
- Datasheet:
-
PM40068B-FEI.pdf
- Description:
- PFX 68XG4, 68-LANE GEN4 FANOUT P
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,770
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Product details
Overview
PM40068B-FEI from Microchip Technology is a PCIe Gen 4 fanout switch IC with 68 lanes, 36 ports (34 NTBs), 18 virtual switch partitions, and per-port hot- and surprise-plug controllers-designed for high-reliability data center interconnects, cellular infrastructure backplanes, and video broadcast routing systems.
For engineers reviewing the PM40068B-FEI datasheet, PM40068B-FEI pinout, PM40068B-FEI application, or PM40068B-FEI equivalent, key selection criteria include lane count scalability, NTB assignment flexibility, DPC/AER error containment compliance, and support for SFF-8644/OCuLink passive and optical cable interfaces.
Technical Context
The PM40068B-FEI implements a non-blocking PCIe Gen 4 switch fabric with full 16 GT/s link training compliance and manual PHY configuration capability for optical interconnects. It integrates a MIPS processor for firmware execution and supports per-port downstream port containment (DPC) plus completion timeout synthesis (CTS) to isolate transaction failures.
Its I/O subsystem includes up to 11 TWI/SMBus interfaces, 4 SGPIO ports, 4 UARTs, JTAG/EJTAG debug access, and a 10/100 Ethernet MAC (MII/RMII)-though the Ethernet MAC is only present in PFX 96x/80x/64xG4 variants, not in PM40068B-FEI per ordering table and family documentation scope.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lane Count | 68 PCIe Gen 4 lanes - enables scalable x1/x2/x4/x8/x16 bifurcation across 36 physical ports without upstream/downstream port mapping restrictions. |
| Ports / NTBs | 36 ports, 34 assignable non-transparent bridges - supports multi-root complex topologies and secure inter-processor communication via NTB memory-mapped windows. |
| Virtual Partitions | 18 independent virtual switch partitions - allows hardware-enforced isolation of traffic domains for security-critical or mixed-criticality systems. |
| Error Containment | Per-port hot/surprise-plug controllers + DPC + CTS - prevents error propagation from failed endpoints to host or other downstream devices during live insertion/removal. |
| PCIe Compliance | Full PCIe 4.0 specification compliance including link training, ASPM, and AER - ensures interoperability with Gen 4 hosts, GPUs, NVMe SSDs, and accelerators. |
| I/O Interfaces | Up to 11 TWI/SMBus, 4 SGPIO, 4 UART, JTAG/EJTAG - provides comprehensive system management, LED control, and debug visibility without external controllers. |
Pinout & Package
PM40068B-FEI is housed in a 27 mm × 27 mm, 780-pin FC-BGA package with 1.0 mm pitch (package code: F3EI). Pinout information is not publicly disclosed in available Microchip documentation or authorized distributor listings; official pin configuration requires access to the confidential Switchtec PFX Design Kit under NDA.
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Non-blocking Gen 4 Fabric | 68-lane throughput with zero internal arbitration latency-enables deterministic low-jitter switching for real-time video transport and storage acceleration. |
| Per-port Hot/Surprise Plug | Independent plug-detection and link retraining logic per port-eliminates need for system-level reset during field replacement of NVMe drives or FPGA cards. |
| Downstream Port Containment | Hardware-isolated error domain per downstream port-prevents single faulty endpoint from triggering system-wide PCIe AER escalation or host panic. |
| Flexible NTB Assignment | 34 NTBs assignable to any port-supports heterogeneous multi-OS environments (e.g., Linux host + RTOS co-processor) with direct memory sharing and doorbell signaling. |
| Real-time Eye Capture | On-die SERDES eye diagram acquisition-enables in-system signal integrity validation without external BERT or oscilloscope during bring-up and field diagnostics. |
Applications
| Data Center Storage Racks | 5G Radio Unit Backhaul |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Aggregating 32 NVMe SSDs behind a dual-socket server CPU using x4/x2 bifurcation to maximize bandwidth density per U-rack. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PCIe fanout switch providing lane expansion, NTB-based host-to-SSD controller communication, and per-device hot-plug management. Use Value: Eliminates need for additional root complexes or PCIe switches in top-of-rack designs-reducing power, latency, and board area by consolidating 68 lanes into one IC. | Use Scenario: Interconnecting distributed units (DU), active antenna units (AAU), and baseband processing modules in Open RAN deployments with strict timing and failover requirements. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-availability PCIe interconnect enabling 1+1 redundant path switching between fronthaul processors and radio front-ends. Use Value: Supports seamless switchover on link failure via hardware-assisted failover-meeting <10 ms recovery SLA for CPRI/eCPRI transport layers. |
| Broadcast Video Router Chassis | Defense Radar Signal Processing |
Use Scenario: Building modular 4K/8K video routing platforms where GPU-accelerated encoders, decoders, and frame synchronizers are hot-swappable line cards. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PCIe Gen 4 switch with per-port surprise-plug controllers and real-time eye capture for validating optical SFP+ links to remote I/O modules. Use Value: Enables field-serviceable chassis architecture with zero downtime during card replacement-verified via on-chip SERDES diagnostics instead of external test gear. | Use Scenario: Integrating multiple radar processing blades (FPGA + ADC/DAC) into a ruggedized airborne mission computer with MIL-STD-810 environmental compliance. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secure, partitioned PCIe interconnect supporting time-synchronized DMA transfers between sensor front-ends and AI inference engines. Use Value: Hardware-enforced virtual partitions prevent cross-domain data leakage while maintaining sub-100 ns timestamp alignment across 36 ports. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PCIe fanout switch applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM40084B-FEI | 84-lane, 44-port, 22-partition variant-adds 16 more lanes and 8 more ports than PM40068B-FEI. | Suitable for larger-scale storage arrays or multi-chip module interconnects requiring higher port density. | Select when system topology exceeds 36 ports or requires >68 total lanes-no PCB change needed if footprint-compatible FC-BGA package is used. |
| PM40052B-F3EI | 52-lane, 28-port, 14-partition variant-reduces lane count by 16 and partitions by 4 versus PM40068B-FEI. | Better fit for cost-sensitive edge servers or compact test equipment where full 68-lane capacity is unused. | Choose for lower-power, space-constrained designs where thermal envelope or BOM cost must be optimized-same pinout family but smaller FC-BGA package (F3EI). |
Compared with PM40068B-FEI, PM40084B-FEI offers greater scalability at higher power and cost, while PM40052B-F3EI trades lane count and partition depth for reduced thermal load and footprint-enabling tiered platform design across performance segments.
Availability
PM40068B-FEI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for data center storage racks, 5G radio unit backhaul, and broadcast video router chassis requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and NDA-compliant design support.
Supply support for PM40068B-FEI 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 delivering smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions with focus on reliability, longevity, and trust.
The Switchtec PFX Gen 4 family-including PM40068B-FEI-is engineered for high-availability PCIe infrastructure in telecom, defense, and enterprise systems where error containment, hot-plug resilience, and virtual partitioning are mandatory.
FAQ
What is the PCIe generation and lane count supported by PM40068B-FEI?
The PM40068B-FEI is a PCIe Gen 4 fanout switch supporting 68 total lanes, configurable as x1/x2/x4/x8/x16 per port. It delivers 16 GT/s per lane with full link training compliance and supports both passive and optical cable interfaces including SFF-8644 and OCuLink. This lane count enables dense NVMe SSD aggregation and multi-GPU interconnects without external retimers.
Does PM40068B-FEI include an integrated Ethernet MAC?
No, the PM40068B-FEI does not include an integrated 10/100 Ethernet MAC. That feature is explicitly reserved for higher-tier PFX variants-PFX 96x/80x/64xG4-as confirmed in Microchip's peripheral I/O interface documentation. PM40068B-FEI retains all other I/O capabilities: up to 11 TWI/SMBus, 4 SGPIO, 4 UARTs, and JTAG/EJTAG.
How many non-transparent bridges (NTBs) does PM40068B-FEI support?
The PM40068B-FEI supports 34 assignable non-transparent bridges across its 36 ports. Each NTB enables memory-mapped peer-to-peer communication between isolated PCIe hierarchies-critical for secure multi-OS systems, such as host Linux paired with real-time co-processors. NTB assignment is fully flexible and not restricted to specific port types.
What error containment features are implemented in PM40068B-FEI?
PM40068B-FEI implements Downstream Port Containment (DPC), Completion Timeout Synthesis (CTS), and per-port hot- and surprise-plug controllers. These features collectively prevent error propagation from faulty endpoints to upstream hosts or adjacent ports-ensuring system-level stability during live device insertion, removal, or link failure scenarios in mission-critical infrastructure.
Is PM40068B-FEI pin-compatible with other PFX Gen 4 switches like PM40084B-FEI?
PM40068B-FEI shares the same FC-BGA package family (F3EI/F3EJ/F3EK) with other PFX Gen 4 variants, but pin compatibility is not guaranteed across lane counts. While mechanical footprint may align, signal mapping differs due to varying lane allocations and I/O configurations. Designers must consult Microchip's PFX Gen 4 pinout reference manuals and use the ChipLink tool for layout verification before substitution.
PM40068B-FEI Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- Switchtec
- Package/Case:
- 1467-BBGA
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Applications:
- Fanout PCIe Switch
- Interface:
- 2-Wire, JTAG, UART
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 1467-BBGA (40x40)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
PM40068B-FEI FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PM40068B-FEI through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PM40068B-FEI 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 PM40068B-FEI reliable?
The price and inventory of PM40068B-FEI are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PM40068B-FEI is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PM40068B-FEI?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PM40068B-FEI transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PM40068B-FEI?
PM40068B-FEI orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PM40068B-FEI 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 PM40068B-FEI?
For technical support, including PM40068B-FEI datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PM40068B-FEI requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PM40068B-FEI is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PM40068B-FEI 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 PM40068B-FEI meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PM40068B-FEI?
All PM40068B-FEI units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PM40068B-FEI, 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 PM40068B-FEI part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PM40068B-FEI:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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