ZHCSCR3C October 2012 – August 2014 DS125BR111
PRODUCTION DATA.
In SAS and PCIe applications, specifications require Rx-Tx link training to establish and optimize signal conditioning settings for data rates up to 12 Gbps. In link training, the Rx partner requests a series of FIR coefficients from the TX partner at speed. This polling sequence is designed to pre-condition the signal path with an optimized link between the endpoints. Link training occurs at the following data-rates:
PROTOCOL | MAXIMUM DATA-RATE (Gbps) | ALTERNATIVE DATA RATES (Gbps) |
---|---|---|
SAS | 12.0 | 6.0, 3.0 |
PCIe | 8.0 | 5.0, 2.5 |
The DS125BR111 works to extend the reach possible by using active linear equalization to the channel, boosting attenuated signals so that they can be more easily recovered at the Rx. The repeater outputs are specially designed to be transparent to TX FIR signaling in order to pass information critical for optimal link training to the Rx. Suggested settings for the A-channels and B-channels in a SAS or PCIe environment are given in the table below. Further adjustments to EQ and VOD settings may optimize signal margin on the link for different system applications:
CHANNEL SETTINGS | PIN MODE |
---|---|
EQx | Level 4 |
VOD_SEL | Level 7 (1) |
VODx_DB | 0 dB (0) |
CHANNEL SETTINGS | SMBus REGISTER VALUE |
---|---|
EQ | 0x03 |
VOD | 110'b or 111'b |
VODx_DB | 000'b |
Unlike PCIe systems, SAS/SATA systems use a low speed Out-Of-Band or OOB communications sequence to detect and communicate between SAS Controllers/Expanders and target drives. This communication eliminates the need to detect for endpoints like PCIe. For SAS systems, it is recommended to tie the RXDET pin high. This will ensure any OOB sequences sent from the Controller/Expander will reach the target drive without any additional latency due to the termination detection sequence defined by PCIe.
PCIe systems use an input termination polling and detection sequence to begin the PCIe bus configuration process. When using PIN MODE configuration the RXDET pin should be left Floating to allow for this process to begin upon power-up of the DS125BR111 device. If SMBus Slave MODE configuration is required, the SMBus register write sequence in Table 13 should be initiated upon power-up of the DS125BR111.
STEP | SMBus REGISTER ADDRESS |
REGISTER DATA (Hex) | COMMENTS |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 0x08 | 0x08 | Give RXDET control to SMBus Registers |
2 | 0x0E | 0x04 or 0x08 | Channel A: 0x04: Auto RX-Detect, outputs test every 12 ms for 600 ms then stops; termination is Hi-Z until RX detection; once detected input termination is 50 Ω 0x08: Auto RX-Detect, outputs test every 12 ms until detection occurs; termination is Hi-Z until RX detection; once detected input termination is 50 Ω |
3 | 0x15 | 0x04 or 0x08 | Channel B: 0x04: Auto RX-Detect, outputs test every 12 ms for 600 ms then stops; termination is Hi-Z until RX detection; once detected input termination is 50 Ω 0x08: Auto RX-Detect, outputs test every 12 ms until detection occurs; termination is Hi-Z until RX detection; once detected input termination is 50 Ω |
4 | 0x06 | 0x18 | Enable SMBus register control. Register updates in Steps 1-3 are applied to high speed channels. |
The highlighted bits for RXDET in the Table 6 show the equivalent RXDET control locations to the SMBus Register write sequence shown in Table 13.
SAS-3 specifications have fully specified Rx-Tx training as a means to establish and optimize signal conditioning settings at the 12.0 Gbps data-rate. The DS125BR111 works to extend the reach possible by adding active linear equalization to the channel, boosting attenuated signals so that they can be more easily recovered at the SAS-3 Rx. The outputs are specially designed to be transparent to TX FIR signaling passing this information critical for optimal link training to the SAS-3 Rx. The typical device settings used in most SAS-3 environments are EQ = Level 4, VOD_DB = 0 and VOD_SEL = 1 in Pin mode or EQ = 0x03, VOD = 111'b, and VOD_DB = 000'b in SMBus mode.
The maximum channel attenuation for a single DS125BR111 in a SAS-3 application utilizing link training is -34 dB @ 6 GHz. Other system variables such as crosstalk and channel topology can have an impact on the link extension possible using the DS125BR111.
As with any high speed design, there are many factors which influence the overall performance, this section lists some critical areas for consideration and study.
The DS125BR111 is designed to be placed almost anywhere within the channel, maximum channel extension requires the DS125BR111 be placed with attenuation of at least 10 dB on its inputs. The device settings used in a SAS-3 environment are EQ = Level 4, VOD_SEL = 1, and VOD_DB = 0 in Pin mode or EQ = 0x03, VOD = 110'b or 111'b, and VOD_DB = 000'b in SMBus mode. This setting has proven to give the best overall SAS-3 extension for all configurations tested.
DS125BR111 settings: EQ = 0x01, VOD = 110'b, VOD_DB = 000'b | ||