Date: 14/05/2010

Quad signal conditioner for high-speed copper network interconnects

Maxim has introduced the MAX3987, a quad 1Gbps to 8.5Gbps signal conditioner for copper interconnects. Each channel can equalize up to 30in of FR4 or 10m of 24AWG cable at its input and output. This device can be used as a receive equalizer, preemphasis driver, or redriver, therefore can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a link. It consists I2C interface for programming the preemphasis, output swing, and output polarity of each channel, it can be globally programmed by using external pins. It is used as a multiprotocol solution and facilitates IP reuse by enabling customers to use one design to address multiple markets. It finds application in 6.25Gbps XAUI, 8.5Gbps Fibre Channel, 6.0Gbps SAS/SATA, and InfiniBand DDR.

The MAX3987 has signal-detect and output-squelch capabilities. In the fast signal-detect mode it has a response time of 2ns to 5nsand therefore is with out-of-band (OOB) signaling in SAS and SATA applications. A slow signal-detect mode is available for XAUI, Fibre Channel, and InfiniBand applications.

Package: 7mm x 7mm, 48-pin TQFN.

Price: Prices start at US$18.75.

Availability: Now.