Point2 Technology has this month introduced a fully integrated, 4-channel uni-directional clock and data recovery (CDR) and retimer system-on-chip (SoC) device, purpose-built and optimized for hyperscale data center connectivity.
The company says its Raon SoC delivers an advanced, ultra-low power profile CDR/retimer solution, designed to fit QSFP56 and QSFP-DD pluggable modules over a variety of media including optics, passive copper cables and backplanes.
The cloud-optimized Raon SoC solution includes a complete reference design for 400 Gbps active electrical cables (AEC), active optical cables (AOC) and passive direct attach copper (DAC) cables. Each lane supports 28G NRZ or 56G PAM-4 transmission and up to 25 dB channel loss compensation.
As noted by a company press release:
"Today’s network requirements are growing rapidly due to compelling economics driving interconnect speeds beyond 400G and even 800G. Today’s hyperscale cloud data centers require high-performance, low-power and cost-efficient interconnect solutions that significantly increase reach and capacity while reducing the bulky size of copper cables."
In response to this demand, Sean Park, CEO of Point2 Technology notes that, “Point2 understands the multi-terabit bandwidth requirements of today’s hyperscale data center operators and has delivered a highly integrated, high-performance four-channel uni-directional CDR/re-timer solution, along with a complete reference design, software and paddle card PCB, which enables our cable manufacturing partners meet those needs quickly and cost effectively."
Raon is a fully integrated, single-chip, 4-channel uni-directional CDR/retimer optimized for Ethernet applications compliant with OIF CEI-56G-VSR and CEI-56G-MR specifications. Manufactured in low-power CMOS technology, according to its maker, the Raon device provides the industry’s most power-efficient CDR/retimer solution for high-speed cabling applications.
Point2's Park added, "The new Raon SoC meets the bandwidth requirements cloud-based infrastructure and delivers innovative technology the market needs in a cost-effective and ultra-low-power approach that’s optimized to help drive massive data center growth in the coming years.”
The device supports built-in programmable and autonomous adaptive equalization in the receiver to compensate for transmission line losses and inter-symbol interference. Built-in self test and eye diagram monitoring capabilities reduce cost of manufacturing and accelerate ramp to volume, adds Point2 Technology.
The provider of high-performance, low-power connectivity platforms for cloud and 5G infrastructure notes its Raon 400G/800G CDR/Retimer device is field-proven in multiple hyperscale cloud data centers around the world. Key platform features, as recounted by a Point2 Technology press release, include:
- Fully integrated, single-chip, 4-channel uni-directional CDR/retimer
- 25G NRZ and 56G PAM-4 per lane
- Up to 25 dB channel loss compensation
- Built in self test and Eye diagram monitor
- Designed for 25G/50G/100G/200G and next-generation 400G /800G small-form-factor modules (SFP/CFP2/CFP4/QSFP)
- Supports 25G-to-28G NRZ mode and 50G-to-56G in PAM4 mode to cover various standards (802.3bs, 802.3cd, OTU4, OTU5)
- Power efficiency of 4.5 mW/Gbps at typical case
- Serializer (TX) has FIR with programmable level and pre-emphasis
- De-serializer (RX) with CTLE, FFE and DFE with programmable coefficients
- Adaptive TX and RX co-equalization to cover up to 25 dB lossy channel
- Programmable TX output swing up to 1.2V_PPD
- Built-in self-test, eye open monitor (EOM)
- PRBS pattern generator/checker, polarity (P/N) inversion
- Embedded CPU with customized firmware
- Independent LOS/LOL per lane
- Standard I2C interface
- Operating IC temperature: -40 °C to +105 °C
- FCCSP-121 package, 5 mm x 5 mm, 0.4 mm pitch
The Raon 4-channel uni-directional CDR/retimer solution is now available with a complete reference design for 400 Gbps active electrical cables (AEC), active optical cables (AOC) and passive direct attach copper (DAC) cables.