ExpressLane
™
PCI Express-to-PCI/PCI-X Bridge
.
Features
General Features
o Forward and Reverse bridging
o Reverse bridging root functions
o Transparent bri dging
o Standard 256 Plastic BGA package
(17mm x 17mm)
o Leaded and lead-free ROHS versions
available
o Low power – 2W
o No heat sink required
o EEPROM configuration option
o 1.0 V core supply voltage
o DC and AC JTAG (1149.1 and
1149.6)
Scalable PCI Express Interface
o x4 Link (configurable as x1, x2 or x4)
o Full-duplex PCI Express lanes;
2.5 Gbps each
o Automatic lane reversal
o 8b/10b encoding
o Link training (auto-negotiate to
smallest link width)
o 256 byte maximum payload size
o PCI Express Base specification 1.0a
compliant
o End-to-end CRC and data poisoning
o Advanced error reporting
o Link and device power management
o Advanced flow control
o Hot Plug
o Turn off unused lanes for power
reduction
Advanced PCI-X Interface
o PCI-X (v 1.0b): 64 bits at 133, 100 or
66 MHz
o PCI 3.0: 32 or 64 bits at 66, 50, 33 or
25 MHz
o 8-outstanding split transactions
o Internal arbiter supports up to 4
external masters
o 3.3V I/O
o Message Signal Interrupt (MSI)
support
o Provides up to four PCI/PCI-X clocks
o Scratchpad and doorbell registers
Flexible, High-Performance Bridge in a Small Package
The PLX Technology Ex pressLane™ PEX 8114 is a high performance bridge that
enables designers to migrate legacy PCI and PCI-X bus interfaces to the new
advanced serial PCI Express™ interface. This flexible device supports forward and
reverse transpa rent bridging.
The bridge is equippe d wi t h a standar d, but fl exibl e PC I Express port that scales to
x1, x2 or x4 lanes with a maximum of 1 Gigabyte per second of throughput per
transmit and receive direction. With four 2.5 Gbps integrated SerDes, the standard
PCI Express signal in g del i vers the highest bandwi dth with the lowest poss i bl e pin
count using LVDS technology.
The ExpressLane PEX 811 4 has a single parallel bus segment supporting the
advanced PCI-X protocol, with a 64-bit wide parallel data path running at 133MHz.
The bridge also supports conventional PCI operation.
While both sides of the bridge are evenly matched , th e device also supports internal
queues with flow control features to optimize throughput and traffic flow.
The small 17mm x 17mm footprint in standard Plastic BGA packaging makes the
ExpressLane PEX 8114 ideal for a variety of applications where board real estate is
at a premium. Leaded and lead-free ROHS versions are available.
Forward and Reverse Bridging
Compliant to the PCI Express-to-PCI/PCI-X Bridge Specification 1.0, the
ExpressLane PEX 8114 is capable of operating in either forward or reverse bridging
modes. In forward mode, the bridge allows legacy PCI or PCI-X chips and adapters
to be used with new PCI Express processor systems. Reverse bridge operation allows
conventional PCI or PCI-X processors and chipsets to configure and control
advanced PCI Express switches and endpoints. The reverse bridge not only allows
complete configuration of a downstream PCI Express system from the PCI/PCI-X
bus, but it also handles limited PCI Express root functions for reverse interrupt and
advanced error handling.
High Performance PCI Express Interface
The fully integrated PCI Express interface incorporates many of the advanced
protocol features in PCI Express such as Automatic Lane Reversal, ECRC, Data
Poisoning, Link State Power Management and Hot Plug. The single link scales from
x4 to x2 or x1 operation through configuration or automatic link training. This
enables the user to reduce power consumption by turning off unused lanes.
PEX 8114
Version 5.0 2007
Board and System Design Applications
The ExpressLane PEX 8114 can be used on PCI Express-
based motherboards or embedded systems to connect legacy
PCI or PCI-X slots or devices. In addition , the bridge can be
used in add-on cards and mezzanine boards in either forward
or reverse bridge mode.
Motherboards
The simple design and small footprint of the ExpressLane
PEX 8114 make it an ideal bridge solution for the
motherboard (see Figure 1), provid ing for PCI or PCI-X slot
connectivity and for interface to legacy native PCI or PCI-X
silicon I/O components.
Figure 1. Forward Bridge on Motherboard
In addition, the ExpressLane PEX 8114 is ideal for enabling
PCI Express slot connectivity on motherb oards with existing
PCI or PCI-X chipsets (see F i gu re 2). The reverse bridge
function including reverse bridge root registers means
customers can upgrade existing designs without changing their
choice of CPU chipset.
Figure 2. Reverse Bridge on Motherboard
Adapter Boards-Forward Bridge
In Forward Mode (see Figure 3), the ExpressLane PEX 8114
can be used to quickly upg ra de legacy PCI or PCI-X adapter
board designs to be compatible with PCI Express standard
interface slots.
Figure 3. Forward Mode
Adapter Boards-Reverse Bridge
The ExpressLane PEX 8114 supports Reverse Mode bridgin g
(see Figure 5), enabling state-of-the-art PCI Express silicon to
be used with legacy PCI or PCI-X parallel busses. Designers
can utilize the latest LAN, SAN or NAS I/O silicon
architectures and features while providing the capability to
bridge backwards to widely entrenched legacy slots and
backplanes. Reverse bridging allows the host processor to
reside out on the PCI or PCI-X bus; the bridge will accept
configuration cycles from the PCI/PCI-X side and manage the
local PCI Express interface as a secondary entity within the
PCI software model.
Figure 5. Reverse Mode
Mezzanine Cards
The small footprint and low power of the ExpressLane PEX 8114 make it ideal for use in mezzanine products based on the latest
PICMG standards for PCI Express (see Figure 6).
Figure 6. Advanced Mezzanine Card a nd Carrier
Standardized PCI/PCI-X Expansion
The ExpressLane PEX 8114 is the ideal bridge for facilitating remote I/O expansion in computing, communications, or data
acquisition applications (see Figure 7). The PCI SIG cabling specification work for PCI Express technology along with the
ExpressLane PEX 8114 can offer a standards-based extender for the parallel PCI or PCI-X bus. Because the bridge supports reverse
bridging operation, the PCI or PCI-X host system is able to remotely configure the PCI Express link and remote system.
Figure 7. Remote Expansion of PCI/PCI-X-Based Systems
Development Tools
PLX offers hardware and software tools (PEX 8114RDK) to enable rapid customer design. These tools include the Hardware
Development Kit (HDK) and the Software Development Kit (SDK).
PEX 8114RDK
The Forward Bridge RDK hardware module (Figure 8) includes the ExpressLane PEX 8114 with one x4 (card-edge) port and four PCI
or PCI-X slots on the secondary side. The Reverse Bridge RDK (Figure 9) includes a standard PCI/PCI-X edge connector (card-edge
type) and a stand ard PCI Ex press slot on the secondary side.
Each ExpressLane PEX 8114RDK can be installed in a motherboard to test and validate customer software and to evaluate the chip’s
features and benefits.
SDK
The SDK tool set includes (1) Linux and Windows drivers, (2) C/C++ Source code, Objects, libraries, and (3) User’s Guides,
Application examples and Tutorials.
PLX Technology, Inc.
870 W. Maude Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94085 USA
Tel: 1-800-759-3735
Tel: 1-408-774-9060
Fax: 1-408-774-2169
Email: info@plxtech.com
Web Site: www.plxtech.com
Product Ordering Information
Part Number Description
PEX 8114-BD13BI PCI Express to PCI/PCI-X Bridge
PEX 8114-BD13BI G PCI Express to PCI/PCI-X Bridge; lead-free ROHS compliant
PEX 8114RDK-F Forward Mode RDK
PEX 8114RDK-R Reverse Mode RDK
Please visit the PLX Web site at http://www.plxtech.com or contact PLX sales at 408-774-9060 for sampling.
© 2007 PLX Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. PLX and the PLX logo are registered trademarks of PLX Technology, I nc. ExpressLane is a trademark of PLX Technology,
Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdiction. All other product names that appear in this material are for identification purposes only and are acknowledged to be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Information supplied by PLX is believed to be accurate and reliable, but PLX Technology, Inc. assumes no
responsibility for any errors that may appear in this material. PLX Technology, Inc. reserves the right, without notice, to make changes in product design or specification.
PEX8114-SIL-PB-5.0 11/07
Fi
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ure 8. PEX 8114 Forward RDK Fi
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ure 9. PEX 8114 Reverse RDK
