A joint demonstration between Samtec and eSilicon — an eSilicon 7 nm 56 Gbps DSP SerDes over a Samtec 5 meter ExaMAX® backplane cable assembly — caught a lot of attention at SC18. The demo showed a true long-reach capability with a high-performance, flexible, easy-to-configure SerDes that targets common data center standards and data rates.
In this video Samtec’s Ralph Page and eSilicon’s Roberto Massolini walk us through the demo, explaining the logistics and the results achieved.
eSilicon 56 G Long-Reach 7 nm DSP SerDes
ASIC designer eSilicon has designed its first serializer/deserializer, a 7nm 56G SerDes that supports applications with switching requirements of 25 and 50 terabits per second (Tbps). Many solutions available on the market use analog technology to optimize the transmitters and receivers. While that tech continues to serve needs on the market, SerDes expertise is required to fine-tune the signal path.
eSilicon makes tuning 56G SerDes easier by using novel DSP-based architecture. This approach to SerDes design offers performance, versatility, improved power efficiency and long-reach support on next-gen 7 nm FinFET technology. Additionally, the 56 G long-reach 7 nm DSP SerDes support industry protocols common in the data center. These include a wide variety of IEEE and OIF-standardized protocols including Ethernet and FibreChannel.
One of the keys to the success of the demo is the Samtec Flyover™ twinax cable solution, in this instance utilizing a five meter ExaMAX® high-speed backplane cable assembly. The cable system incorporates Samtec’s ultra-low skew twinax cable to extend signal reach.
Samtec Flyover Twinax Cable Systems
As bandwidth requirements rapidly increase, routing signals through lossy PCBs, vias and other components has become one of the most complex challenges designers face. Samtec Flyover twinax cable systems break the constraints of traditional substrate signaling and hardware offerings, resulting in a cost effective, high-performance answer to the challenges of 28 Gbps bandwidth and beyond. Reducing thermal challenges, eliminating expensive retimers, fewer PCB layers, and less expensive PCB materials are a few of the advantages of Samtec Flyover.
Samtec’s co-extruded twinax cable technology eliminates the performance limitations and inconsistencies of individually extruded dielectric twinax cabling, leading to improved signal integrity, bandwidth and reach for high-performance system architectures. Samtec’s Eye Speed® Ultra-Low Skew Twinax Cable is ideal for up to 112 Gbps applications, with tight coupling between signal conductors, improved bandwidth and reach, improved signal integrity and eye pattern opening, and low skew (< 3.5 ps/meter) over extended lengths.
Popular Samtec Flyover cable assembly systems include FireFly™ low profile, high density systems; FQSFP-DD and FQSFP; slim + high density AcceleRate®; NovaRay™ Extreme Speed + Extreme Density, and ExaMAX® High-Speed Backplane Cable systems (EBCM and EBCF series).
Samtec ExaMAX High-Speed Cable Assembly
ExaMAX high-speed backplane cable assemblies, EBCM and EBCF series, utilize Samtec’s Eye Speed Ultra Low Skew Twinax Cable and optimized direct-attach technology for improved signal integrity, increased flexibility and routability. The cable assemblies are intermateable with all ExaMAX connectors and are highly customizable. Cables are available in 4 and 6 pairs, and 6, 8, 10, and 12 columns. Multiple SI characterization kits are available.
Other Links That May Be Of Interest …
- High-Speed Serial Comms, Getting There is Half the Fun (Mike Gianfanga in Semi Thoughts)
- eSilicon 7 nm 56 G SerDes (EDN)
- Matt Burns’ preview blog about this
ExaMAX® is a registered trademark of AFCI
