Point2 Technology introduced its next-generation P1B120 mixed-signal SoC solution. The new PIB120 SoC targets top-of-rack (ToR) switch to ToR switch, ToR switch to Smart NIC, and distributed disaggregated chassis (DDC) interconnects in hyperscale, cloud, and enterprise data centers.
Designed with Point 2 Technology’s proven low-power, mixed-signal architecture in a leading CMOS process, the second-generation P1B120 SoC enables 800G active electrical cables (AECs) at 5W per paddle card while featuring adaptive line compensation to enable multiple cable lengths. AECs built with the P1B120 consume 40 percent less power than existing industry solutions, providing a leap forward in data center energy efficiency.
AECs based on Point2’s mixed-signal SoCs are thinner, lighter, and more flexible than other AECs because they can use lower gauge copper wiring, which in turn reduces overall cable volume by up to 40 percent. With 32-port racks, a dozen racks per cabinet, and a dozen cabinets in a room, cable volume reduction with Point2-based AECs greatly reduces congested cabinet space, resulting in a dramatic increase in airflow to cool the installed equipment. With about 40 percent of data center energy consumption dedicated to powering the cooling and ventilation systems, the P1B120 SoC’s lower power consumption, combined with significantly better airflow in data center installations, will enable hyper scalers and enterprises to scale their installation performance while improving energy efficiency and sustainability.
The P1B120 mixed-signal SoC integrates eight-unidirectional serial data channels with clock data recovery (CDR)/re-timer functions that support 112G (PAM4) or 56G (NRZ) data rates. The advanced mixed-signal architecture with BER-aware signal processing produces pre-FEC BER that is one order of magnitude better than other AEC IC solutions, leading to improved mean time before failure (MTBF) for deployed devices. The on-chip intelligent engine provides self-diagnostic capabilities during AEC development and field servicing. Combined with improved MTBF, the P1B120 delivers AECs with best-in-class network quality of service for deployed devices. The P1B120 is an ideal cloud-connect solution for DDCs data centers, enterprise networks, and edge cloud use cases.
To accelerate AEC development and time to market, Point2 offers a production-ready reference design platform optimized for the P1B120 mixed-signal SoC. The PC0800 C-Tube 800G AEC reference design enables cable manufacturers to evaluate the P1B120 and develop high-performance AEC products with superior signal quality, lower power, and better cost structures. The reference design includes a hot-pluggable AEC that’s fully compliant with the QSFP-DD800 MSA cable specification and the CMIS 5.0 specification for cable management. The PC0800 offers intelligent diagnostic hardware and software features for continuous monitoring and access during operation, an essential capability for mission-critical data center interconnects.
P1B120 SoC Key Features include: Designed for 400G/800G/1600G AECs; 8x uni-directional data channels with 112 Gbps PAM4 per channel; Cloud-optimized SoC solution with programmable low-power and high-performance modes; Low power consumption at 2.0W; Superior signal quality at 10-8 BER (pre-FEC); Intelligent diagnostics to ensure network reliability, availability, and serviceability; Serializer (TX) with programmable FIR filter and pre-emphasis; De-serializer (RX) with programmable continuous time linear equalizer (CTLE) and decision-feedback equalizer (DFE) to mitigate Rx channel loss; Low sensitivity and adjustable data sampler threshold levels; Programmable TX output swing; Industrial temperature range: -40 oC to 120 oC; Available in a 256-FCCSP, 7 mm x 7 mm, 0.4 mm ball pitch package;
Customer samples of the P1B120 mixed-signal SoC are planned for Q2 2023, with a production ramp planned in the second half of the year. The PC0800 C-Tube reference design is available now to accelerate the development of 800G AEC applications. Meet us at OFC Conference 2023 in San Diego March 7-9, 2023.
