/> The new switching solutions, based on the IDT partitionable switch architecture, achieves this flexibility by allowing multiple PCIe domains and root complexes to be supported by a single monolithic device that enables dynamic assignment of PCIe slot and I/O peripherals for on-the-fly resource sharing and load balancing. Additionally, the new IDT architecture supports an unprecedented eight non-transparent bridging (NTB) functions to enable root complex isolation, failover support and inter-processor communication between PCIe domains.

This architecture also leverages the rich IDT silicon timing heritage to integrate the industry’s only PCIe switching solution providing multiple clock domain isolation, including support for multiple spread spectrum clocking (SSC) timing domains. With additional unique feature differentiation, including multicast capability within and across domains, two Direct Memory Access (DMA) functions and support for PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation (PXIe), the new IDT switch family provides unmatched support for multi-root communications in embedded systems.

“PCIe is moving beyond servers into embedded and communications systems, offering greater scalability, robustness and even broader applicability,” said Jag Bolaria, senior analyst with the Linley Group. “As PCIe expands it reach into multi-root communications and embedded applications, IDT is expanding its portfolio of devices to meet the needs of these emerging markets.”

The new family of PCIe Gen2 system interconnect switching solutions feature IDT Power Smart technology, demonstrating the company’s mixed signal design expertise enabling solutions to lower power consumption by as much as 35 percent over similarly configured switches. In addition, the new devices improve design flexibility offering a 70 percent reduction in the package size and required board space compared to alternate solutions with similar lane and port configurations.

The new family is comprised of seven devices with system interconnect solutions targeting data- and services-plane traffic as well as control-plane traffic. Solutions for high-performance data traffic include a 32-lane and 8-port device, and a 24-lane, 6-port device. Devices for control-plane traffic include 32-, 24-, 16- and 12-lane devices with port counts of 24-, 16- and 12-port devices in various configurations.