Almost all (non x86 based) high-end microprocessor
manufacturers are offering PCI Express interfaces. The PEX
8524V 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.
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 8524V as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 3. Fan out for PowerPC/MIPS CPUs
Embedded Systems
The PEX 8524V can also be utilized in embedded
applications. Figure 4 shows several independent modules
connecting through the PEX 8524V. The port widths for each
module can be configured as required. The peer-to-peer
communication feature of the PEX 8524V allows these
modules to communicate with each other without any
centralized control.
Figure 4. Embedded Systems
Peer to Peer Communication
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Figure 5 represents a backplane where the ExpressLane PEX
8524V provides peer-to-peer data exchange for a large number
of line cards where the CPU/Host plays the management role.
Figure 5. Peer-to-Peer Usage
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Figure 6. Graphics Fan-out
PCI Express Port Expansion
The PEX 8524V 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 8524V can support.
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Figure 7. PCIe Port Expansion
PLX [ PLX TECHNOLOGY ]
