DALLAS, TX -- Texas Instruments introduced the industry's first signal conditioner capable of driving the serial-attached SCSI (SAS-3) protocol. In addition to supporting the faster data rates of the newest SCSI standard, the DS125BR800A multi-protocol repeater is compatible with existing 3-Gbps and 6-Gbps SAS link rates used in data center applications. It also supports the PCI Express (PCIe) Gen-1, Gen-2, Gen-3 and SATA 1.5-Gbps, 3-Gbps and 6-Gbps interface standards. This flexibility allows equipment manufacturers to employ one device for multiple protocols with data rates up to 12.5 Gbps.
The 8-channel, unidirectional DS125BR800A consumes 35 percent less power and doubles the interconnect reach of current solutions, while enabling seamless management of the link training protocol. Additional SAS-3 multi-protocol repeaters will be available this year. These SAS-3 devices join a comprehensive family of repeaters and retimers that combat signal impairments caused by insertion loss, jitter, reflections and crosstalk in high-speed enterprise server, storage and router applications.
Key features and benefits of the DS125BR800A:
• Highest signal conditioning performance: 24-dB input equalization and 12-dB output de-emphasis compensate for insertion loss, extending reach up to 30 inches of FR-4 or eight meters of copper cable.
• Lowest power and system cost: Supports a single supply voltage, consumes a mere 65 mW per channel, and reduces cost by eliminating the need for an external reference clock and power supply filter.
• Easy to use: Multiple configuration options, including pins, SMBus or direct-EEPROM load, eliminates software programming, while each device's flow-through pinout eases layout.
• Tools and support
• The DS125BR800AEVM evaluation module (EVM) is available today for a suggested retail price of US$499. It comes with an EVM user guide and an IBIS-AMI model that enable designers to verify board signal integrity and evaluate the device's signal conditioning features.
Support is available on the High Speed Interface Forum in the TI E2E™ Community, where engineers can search for solutions, get help, share knowledge and solve problems with fellow engineers and TI experts.
Complementary signal chain solutions
Engineers can develop a robust system solution by combining the 8-channel, unidirectional DS125BR800A with the TLK10034 10-Gbps SerDes, DS125DF410 retimer, DS80PCI800 PCIe repeater, LMK03806 clock generator, and an LM75A or TMP75 temperature sensor.
Availability, packaging and pricing
The DS125BR800A is available today in a 10-mm by 5.5-mm, 54-pin QFN package for a suggested retail price of US$7.45 in 1,000-unit quantities.
For information or to order samples, visit www.ti.com/ds125br800a-pr