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Microchip Technology PM41028B-F3EI
- Part No.:
- PM41028B-F3EI
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Specialized
- Package:
- 753-BBGA
- Datasheet:
-
PM41028B-F3EI.pdf
- Description:
- PCIE SWITCH GEN4 BBGA
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,407
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Product details
Overview
PM41028B-F3EI from Microchip Technology is a Gen4 programmable PCIe switch with 28 lanes, 16 ports (14 NTBs), 8 virtual switch partitions, and integrated hot-plug controllers for all 16 ports-designed for NVMe SSD enclosures and pooled storage systems requiring high-reliability interconnect.
For engineers reviewing the PM41028B-F3EI datasheet, PM41028B-F3EI pinout, PM41028B-F3EI application, or PM41028B-F3EI equivalent, key selection criteria include lane count, NTB assignment flexibility, upstream/downstream port configuration freedom, and support for in-band NVMe-MI enclosure management via SES and native NVMe stack.
Technical Context
The PM41028B-F3EI implements a non-blocking PCIe Gen4 16 GT/s switch fabric with full x1/x2/x4/x8/x16 port bifurcation capability and no restriction on upstream/downstream port mapping. It integrates a MIPS processor for firmware execution and supports both in-band (SES/NVMe-MI) and out-of-band (MCTP over I²C) enclosure management.
Error containment includes Downstream Port Containment (DPC) on all downstream ports, Completion Timeout Synthesis (CTS), and programmable Upstream Error Containment (UEC). Each port has dedicated hot- and surprise-plug controllers and configurable GPIOs for cable/connector standards.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lane Count | 28 PCIe Gen4 lanes - enables compact, low-port-count topologies with full bandwidth per lane (16 GT/s) |
| Port Count / NTBs | 16 physical ports, 14 assignable Non-Transparent Bridges - supports multi-host peer-to-peer memory-mapped interconnects |
| Virtual Partitions | 8 independent virtual switch partitions - allows hardware-isolated traffic domains for security or tenant separation |
| Hot-Plug Controllers | 16 dedicated controllers (one per port) - enables safe insertion/removal of PCIe devices without system reset |
| NVMe-MI Support | In-band SES + native NVMe enclosure management stack - eliminates need for external BMC in NVMe JBODs |
| Integrated Processor | MIPS core - runs enclosure management firmware and handles error containment policy enforcement |
| Power Management | ASPM L0s/L1 + software-controlled power states - reduces idle power in storage enclosures |
Pinout & Package
PM41028B-F3EI is housed in a 27 mm × 27 mm, 780-pin FC-BGA package (package code: F3EI). Pin definitions are documented in Microchip's DS00003308B, Section 3.1 "Pin Descriptions".
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| CLK_IN[0:1] | PCIe Reference Clock Input | Dual differential input for 100 MHz PCIe reference clock; required for link training and timing synchronization |
| PERST# | Global Reset Input | Active-low asynchronous reset that initializes switch configuration and clears internal state |
| GPIO[0:15] | Configurable General-Purpose I/O | Supports SFF-8485 SGPIO signaling, LED control, or custom connector detection logic |
| I2C_SCL/I2C_SDA | Out-of-Band Management Interface | Enables MCTP-based communication with host BMC for enclosure health monitoring |
| MDIO/MDC | PHY Management Interface | Used to configure SERDES parameters and monitor link status for optical or passive cable interfaces |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Flexible Port Bifurcation | Each port supports x1/x2/x4/x8/x16 configuration independently-no fixed upstream/downstream assignment required |
| Real-Time Eye Capture | On-die SERDES eye diagram acquisition enables field-deployable signal integrity validation without external test equipment |
| Programmable UEC | Upstream Error Containment blocks error propagation beyond the switch, preventing host-level crashes from downstream device faults |
| Integrated NVMe Controller | Hardware-accelerated NVMe-MI command processing offloads host CPU and enables direct enclosure management via NVMe Admin commands |
| Multi-Loopback Modes | Supports electrical, logical, and PHY loopback per port-critical for production test and field diagnostics |
Applications
| NVMe SSD Enclosure | Multi-Host Flash Array |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: 1U rack-mount JBOD housing 24 NVMe SSDs connected via PCIe switches to dual hosts. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PM41028B-F3EI acts as the central PCIe interconnect hub, managing topology, hot-plug events, and NVMe-MI enclosure reporting. Use Value: Enables single-switch control of up to 16 SSDs per host with hardware-enforced error isolation and zero-host-firmware dependency for enclosure health. | Use Scenario: Shared flash resource pool accessed simultaneously by compute nodes in HPC or AI training clusters. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PM41028B-F3EI provides Non-Transparent Bridge (NTB) links between hosts, enabling peer-to-peer DMA transfers and shared memory access. Use Value: Delivers ultra-low-latency, cache-coherent memory sharing across hosts without PCIe root complex involvement or software translation layers. |
| Pooled Compute Node | Blade Server Midplane |
Use Scenario: Modular server chassis where CPU blades connect to GPU/FPGA accelerator blades via midplane PCIe fabric. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PM41028B-F3EI serves as a reconfigurable midplane switch, dynamically assigning lanes to match workload demands. Use Value: Allows runtime lane reallocation (e.g., x8→x4+x4) without physical rewiring-reducing SKU proliferation and improving hardware utilization. | Use Scenario: High-density blade server with 12 service blades and redundant fabric modules. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PM41028B-F3EI operates as a failover-capable switch node supporting 1+1 redundancy across two fabric paths. Use Value: Ensures continuous PCIe connectivity during module replacement or failure, meeting carrier-grade availability requirements (99.999% uptime). |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar PCIe switch applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM41036B-F3EI | 36-lane, 20-port, 10-partition variant - higher lane/port count but larger package and power envelope | Suitable for denser enclosures requiring >16 ports or >14 NTBs; not drop-in compatible due to pinout and thermal footprint differences | Select when scaling beyond 16 ports while retaining same family firmware and SDK compatibility |
| PM41052B-F3EI | 52-lane, 28-port, 14-partition variant - doubles port count and NTB capacity vs. PM41028B-F3EI | Targeted at multi-chassis architectures or systems needing >8 virtual partitions; requires PCB redesign for additional lanes and routing | Choose for future-proofing or when consolidating multiple PM41028B-F3EI instances into a single higher-capacity switch |
Compared with PM41028B-F3EI, PM41036B-F3EI offers more ports and partitions at higher power and board area cost, while PM41052B-F3EI delivers scalable bandwidth and NTB headroom-both share identical firmware architecture and NVMe-MI feature set but differ in physical integration constraints.
Availability
PM41028B-F3EI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for NVMe SSD enclosures, multi-host flash arrays, pooled compute nodes, and blade server midplanes requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and qualified industrial temperature operation.
Supply support for PM41028B-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 infrastructure solutions, with headquarters in Chandler, Arizona.
The Switchtec PSX Gen4 family-including PM41028B-F3EI-is engineered for high-reliability PCIe switching in data center storage and compute infrastructure, emphasizing error containment, enclosure management, and flexible topology configuration.
FAQ
What is the maximum number of Non-Transparent Bridges supported by PM41028B-F3EI?
The PM41028B-F3EI supports up to 14 Non-Transparent Bridges (NTBs), assignable to any of its 16 physical ports. This enables peer-to-peer memory-mapped interconnects between hosts or between host and accelerator, with hardware-enforced address space isolation. The NTB count is fixed for this variant and cannot be increased via firmware update.
Does PM41028B-F3EI support NVMe-MI in-band management?
Yes, PM41028B-F3EI supports NVMe-MI in-band management using both SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) and the native NVMe enclosure management stack. This allows direct communication with the switch's integrated NVMe controller over the PCIe bus, eliminating reliance on external BMCs for health monitoring and fault reporting in NVMe JBODs.
What package type and pin count does PM41028B-F3EI use?
PM41028B-F3EI uses a 27 mm × 27 mm, 780-ball Fine-Pitch Flip-Chip Ball Grid Array (FC-BGA) package with standard 0.8 mm ball pitch. The package code "F3EI" denotes this specific mechanical and thermal configuration, which is validated for industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C) operation.
Can PM41028B-F3EI be configured as both upstream and downstream ports on the same device?
Yes, PM41028B-F3EI allows any physical port to be configured as either upstream or downstream-without hardware restrictions. This flexibility is enforced in firmware and enables dynamic topology adaptation, such as converting a downstream port to upstream for daisy-chained switch configurations or NTB peer links.
Is real-time eye capture available on PM41028B-F3EI for signal integrity analysis?
Yes, PM41028B-F3EI includes on-die real-time eye capture capability for its PCIe Gen4 SERDES. This feature allows engineers to acquire and analyze eye diagrams directly from the switch without external test equipment-supporting field validation, production screening, and debug of passive/optical cable interfaces.
PM41028B-F3EI Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- Switchtec
- Package/Case:
- 753-BBGA
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Applications:
- Controller
- Interface:
- JTAG, MII, RMII, UART, 2-Wire SMBus
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 753-BBGA (29x29)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
PM41028B-F3EI FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PM41028B-F3EI through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PM41028B-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 PM41028B-F3EI reliable?
The price and inventory of PM41028B-F3EI are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PM41028B-F3EI is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PM41028B-F3EI?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PM41028B-F3EI transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PM41028B-F3EI?
PM41028B-F3EI orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PM41028B-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 PM41028B-F3EI?
For technical support, including PM41028B-F3EI datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PM41028B-F3EI requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PM41028B-F3EI is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PM41028B-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 PM41028B-F3EI meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PM41028B-F3EI?
All PM41028B-F3EI units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PM41028B-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 PM41028B-F3EI part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PM41028B-F3EI:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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