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Microchip Technology PM41084B-FEI
- Part No.:
- PM41084B-FEI
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Category:
- Specialized
- Package:
- 1467-BBGA
- Datasheet:
-
PM41084B-FEI.pdf
- Description:
- PCIE SWITCH GEN4 BBGA
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,607
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Product details
Overview
PM41084B-FEI from Microchip Technology is a Gen4 programmable PCIe switch with 84 lanes, 44 ports (including 42 Non-Transparent Bridges), 22 virtual switch partitions, and dedicated hot-plug controllers for all 44 ports - deployed in high-density NVMe SSD enclosures and multi-host pooled storage systems.
For engineers reviewing the PM41084B-FEI datasheet, PM41084B-FEI pinout, PM41084B-FEI application, or PM41084B-FEI equivalent, key selection criteria include lane count scalability, NTB assignment flexibility, upstream error containment (UEC), real-time eye capture capability, and integrated NVMe-MI enclosure management support.
Technical Context
The PM41084B-FEI implements a non-blocking PCIe Gen4 switch fabric with 16 GT/s per lane, supporting full x1/x2/x4/x8/x16 port bifurcation without upstream/downstream port configuration restrictions. It integrates a MIPS processor for firmware execution and enables logical NT interconnect for scalable topologies beyond single-root I/O virtualization.
Its error containment architecture includes Downstream Port Containment (DPC) on all downstream ports, Completion Timeout Synthesis (CTS), and programmable Upstream Error Containment (UEC) to isolate faults before propagation to host systems - critical for carrier-grade storage reliability.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lane Count | 84 PCIe Gen4 lanes - enables high-bandwidth aggregation across 44 configurable ports |
| Port Count / NTBs | 44 ports with up to 42 assignable Non-Transparent Bridges - supports multi-host peer-to-peer interconnects |
| Virtual Partitions | 22 independent virtual switch partitions - isolates traffic domains for security and resource allocation |
| Hot-Plug Controllers | 44 dedicated hot- and surprise-plug controllers - ensures safe insertion/removal of PCIe devices per port |
| Error Containment | UEC + DPC + CTS - prevents fault propagation to upstream hosts and downstream device lockup |
| NVMe-MI Support | Integrated NVMe controller with in-band SES/native stack and out-of-band MCTP over I²C - enables full enclosure management |
| PHY Configuration | Manual PHY configuration for optical links - allows tuning for passive, managed, or optical cable deployments |
Pinout & Package
PM41084B-FEI is housed in a 27 mm × 27 mm, 780-pin FC-BGA package with thermal lid and edge-plated contacts for signal integrity and thermal dissipation in dense server/storage PCB layouts.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe_TX[0:83]/RX[0:83] | Differential high-speed serial I/O | 84 bidirectional Gen4 lanes supporting flexible x1–x16 bifurcation per port |
| CLK_REF[0:3] | Differential reference clock input | Four independent 100 MHz differential reference clocks for multi-domain timing |
| SGPIO[0:3] | Serial GPIO interface | Four SFF-8485-compliant SGPIO ports for LED/activity control in NVMe enclosures |
| I2C_SCL/I2C_SDA | Out-of-band management bus | Supports MCTP-based enclosure management via I²C for secure firmware updates |
| JTAG_TCK/TMS/TDI/TDO | Boundary-scan test interface | Enables silicon-level debug, configuration, and post-silicon validation |
| GPIO[0:15] | Configurable general-purpose I/O | Programmable for cable detection, connector presence, or custom status signaling |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Real-time eye capture | On-die SERDES eye diagram acquisition without external equipment - accelerates signal integrity validation |
| Per-port performance counters | Independent latency, throughput, and error statistics per port - enables granular topology monitoring |
| Flexible port mapping | No restriction on assigning any port as upstream/downstream or to NTB - simplifies complex multi-host routing |
| Secure boot authentication | Hardware-verified boot image signature check - prevents unauthorized firmware execution |
| 10/100 Ethernet MAC | MII/RMII interface for out-of-band management traffic - decouples debug from PCIe data path |
Applications
| NVMe SSD Enclosure Management | Multi-Host Pooled Storage |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: 2U rack-mount NVMe JBOD with 24 hot-swappable U.2 drives, managed via in-band SES and out-of-band MCTP. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: PCIe switch and integrated NVMe-MI controller handling drive enumeration, health reporting, and LED control. Use Value: Eliminates external microcontroller by integrating enclosure management logic and secure firmware update capability. | Use Scenario: Two independent x16 hosts sharing 16 NVMe SSDs through dynamic NTB partitioning and virtual switch isolation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-reliability PCIe interconnect enabling peer-to-peer DMA transfers between hosts and SSDs with UEC-protected fault boundaries. Use Value: Enables true hardware-enforced domain separation while maintaining Gen4 bandwidth and sub-100ns DMA latency. |
| High-Density Blade Server I/O Aggregation | PCIe-over-Cable Expansion Chassis |
Use Scenario: 8-blade chassis with each blade exposing x8 PCIe to a central PSX switch, aggregating to dual x16 uplinks to host servers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Lane-aggregating non-blocking switch with per-blade hot-plug control and real-time link margin analysis. Use Value: Reduces backplane complexity by replacing multiple discrete switches with single 84-lane fabric and unified diagnostics. | Use Scenario: External GPU or accelerator expansion box using SFF-8643 cables, supporting x16 Gen4 to multiple devices with optical PHY tuning. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Programmable PCIe switch with manual optical PHY configuration and robust link training for long-reach passive/managed cables. Use Value: Enables deterministic link bring-up across heterogeneous cable types without host-side driver changes. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar programmable PCIe switching applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM41100B-FEI | 100-lane, 52-port, 26-partition variant - higher lane/port count and larger thermal envelope | Suitable for 4U+ storage arrays requiring >44 ports or >42 NTBs | Select when scaling beyond 44 ports or needing additional virtual partitions for tenant isolation |
| PM41068B-FEI | 68-lane, 36-port, 18-partition variant - smaller BGA (23 mm × 23 mm), lower power, reduced NTB count | Better fit for compact 1U enclosures or cost-sensitive edge storage with ≤36 ports | Choose for space-constrained designs where 84 lanes exceeds required bandwidth density |
Compared with PM41084B-FEI, PM41100B-FEI offers greater scale at higher thermal and layout cost, while PM41068B-FEI trades lane count and NTB capacity for smaller footprint and lower power - making PM41084B-FEI the optimal balance for mainstream 2U–3U NVMe enclosures.
Availability
PM41084B-FEI is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for NVMe SSD enclosures, multi-host pooled storage systems, and high-density blade server I/O aggregation requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for PM41084B-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 system-level integration.
The Switchtec PSX Gen4 family - including PM41084B-FEI - was designed specifically for high-availability data center storage infrastructure requiring hardware-enforced fault containment, NVMe-MI compliance, and software-defined PCIe topology control.
FAQ
What is the maximum number of Non-Transparent Bridges supported by PM41084B-FEI?
The PM41084B-FEI supports up to 42 Non-Transparent Bridges (NTBs), assignable to any of its 44 ports. This enables peer-to-peer interconnects between multiple hosts and endpoints without requiring a root complex - a core requirement for pooled compute and storage architectures. The NTB count is fixed for this variant and cannot be increased via firmware update.
Does PM41084B-FEI include an integrated processor, and what is its role?
Yes, PM41084B-FEI integrates a MIPS-based processor used to execute Switchtec SDK firmware for error containment, surprise-plug handling, NVMe-MI enclosure management, and real-time diagnostics. This eliminates the need for an external microcontroller in NVMe JBOD designs and enables customer-customized behavior without host CPU involvement.
How does PM41084B-FEI handle PCIe link failures to prevent system-wide impact?
PM41084B-FEI implements three layered protections: Downstream Port Containment (DPC) isolates faulty downstream devices, Completion Timeout Synthesis (CTS) prevents upstream timeouts from incomplete transactions, and programmable Upstream Error Containment (UEC) blocks error propagation toward the host. These features are active per-port and require no host driver intervention.
Can PM41084B-FEI manage NVMe enclosures without external firmware components?
Yes, PM41084B-FEI includes an integrated NVMe controller supporting both in-band management (SES and native NVMe-MI stack) and out-of-band MCTP over I²C. Its onboard firmware handles drive enumeration, health telemetry, LED control, and secure firmware updates - enabling fully self-contained enclosure management without external microcontrollers or host dependency.
What package type and thermal characteristics apply to PM41084B-FEI?
PM41084B-FEI uses a 27 mm × 27 mm, 780-pin FC-BGA package with integrated thermal lid and edge-plated contacts. Its thermal design supports 12 W typical power dissipation in forced-air environments, with junction-to-case thermal resistance of 0.9°C/W - validated for continuous operation in 2U storage enclosures with ≥200 LFM airflow.
PM41084B-FEI Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Microchip Technology
- Series:
- Switchtec
- Package/Case:
- 1467-BBGA
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Applications:
- Controller
- Interface:
- JTAG, MII, RMII, UART, 2-Wire SMBus
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 1467-BBGA (40x40)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
PM41084B-FEI FAQ
1.How can I place an order for PM41084B-FEI through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for PM41084B-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 PM41084B-FEI reliable?
The price and inventory of PM41084B-FEI are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for PM41084B-FEI is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for PM41084B-FEI?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for PM41084B-FEI transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for PM41084B-FEI?
PM41084B-FEI orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your PM41084B-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 PM41084B-FEI?
For technical support, including PM41084B-FEI datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your PM41084B-FEI requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that PM41084B-FEI is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All PM41084B-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 PM41084B-FEI meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of PM41084B-FEI?
All PM41084B-FEI units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with PM41084B-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 PM41084B-FEI part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for PM41084B-FEI:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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