pex8524 PLX, pex8524 Datasheet - Page 3

• Manufacturer Part Number: pex8524
• Description: Flexible
• Manufacturer: PLX

Almost all (non x86 based) high-end microprocessor
manufacturers are offering PCI Express interfaces. The PEX
8524 can be directly connected to a processor to fan-out its
PCIe port to a larger number of ports for enhanced
connectivity as illustrated in Figure 3.
Embedded Systems
The PEX 8524 can also be utilized in embedded applications.
Figure 4 shows several independent modules connecting
through the PEX 8524. The port widths for each module can
be configured as required. The peer-to-peer communication
feature of the PEX 8524 allows these modules to communicate
with each other without any centralized control.
Peer to Peer Communication
Figure 5 represents a backplane where the ExpressLane PEX
8524 provides peer-to-peer data exchange for a large number
of line cards where the CPU/Host plays the management role.
Figure 3. Fan out for PowerPC/MIPS CPUs
Figure 4. Embedded Systems
Figure 5. Peer-to-Peer Usage
Graphics Fan-out Switch
As PCIe based graphics cards become more mainstream, it
will be necessary to take a x8 port on the root complex device
and fan it out to two x8 ports for dual graphics applications.
Root Complex (Northbridge) devices are available with
multiple PCIe ports. These ports can be further expanded to
connect to a larger number of I/Os or to support dual-graphics
using the PEX 8524 as shown in Figure 6.
PCI Express Port Expansion
The PEX 8524 enables designers to take, for example, two x8
PCIe ports and expand them into ten ports. Some of these
PCIe ports can be bridged to PCI or PCI-X using bridging
products from PLX. Figure 7 illustrates one of the many
configurations the PEX 8524 can support.
Figure 7. PCIe Port Expansion
Figure 6. Graphics Fan-out