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Credo’s Toucan and Magpie PCIe Retimers: Driving Next-Generation Connectivity for AI and Beyond

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The rapid evolution of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and expansive data centers is driving an unprecedented demand for high-speed connectivity solutions. As the foundation of modern computing systems, technologies like PCI Express (PCIe) and Compute Express Link (CXL) are essential to this advancement. Credo is leading the way with its PCIe 6 and PCIe 7 retimers and active electrical cables (AECs), offering best-in-class solutions with longest reach, lowest latency, and lowest cost.

Addressing AI Infrastructure Needs

The PCIe interface remains critical in AI clusters where high-speed interconnects are required to link GPUs, CPUs, and endpoints like Smart NICs and NVME storage. As AI workloads continue to grow in complexity and scale, there has never been a greater demand for faster data transfer and more efficient hardware connectivity. To meet these challenges, innovations like Credo’s retimers help eliminate bottlenecks and streamline data flow across systems, while also enhancing performance.

Alongside these developments, Credo’s retimers and PCIe OSFP-XD AECs play a crucial role in enhancing PCIe cabling architectures. High performance PCB materials and passive cabling is still limited for robust PCIe 6.0 and 7.0 channel lengths. By leveraging Credos retimers on the PCB at one end of a passive cable or within the PCIe OSFP-XD cable, Credo solutions can compensate for the higher insertion loss in PCIe 6.0 and 7.0 systems extending reach up to 7m and enabling in rack and rack-to-rack solutions.

Enhanced Diagnostics for Faster Deployment

With the move to PAM4 signaling for PCIe 6.0 and 7.0, debug is considerably more challenging due to lower SNR, and higher sensitivity to jitter and noise (ISI, crosstalk, reflection, etc.).  Credo has over a decade of PAM4 SerDes design and debug experience, enabling best in class development tools. Features like an integrated logic analyzer, PCIe port/lane configuration and status, and advanced SerDes diagnostics including eye diagrams help customers get to market quickly with robust, reliable systems.

Pioneering a Sustainable Future

In line with the industry’s growing emphasis on sustainability, Credo places a strong focus on energy efficiency. By optimizing power consumption and leveraging cost-effective process technologies, Credo’s solutions help scale data infrastructure without dramatically increasing energy consumption. This approach not only supports the industry's shift towards greener technology but also underscores Credo's commitment to a more sustainable future.

The Future of Connectivity

With the move to faster speeds of 64 GT/s for PCIe 6.0/CXL and 128 GT/s for PCIe 7.0/CXL and speeds beyond 224 Gb/s for Ethernet and UALink, Credo’s in house SerDes solutions are well positioned to deliver reliable, cost-efficient, and high-performance system solutions for the AI-driven infrastructure ensuring data centers can scale effectively to meet tomorrow’s demands.

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