Eight-channel multi-rate retimer with integrated signal conditioning

Texas Instruments’ DS280DF810 is an eight-channel multi-rate retimer with integrated signal conditioning. It is used to extend the reach and robustness of long, lossy, crosstalk-impaired high-speed serial links while achieving a BER of 10-15 or less. Each channel of the device independently locks to serial data rates in a continuous range from 20.2Gbps to 28.4Gbps or to any supported sub-rate (÷2 and ÷4), including key data rates such as 10.1376Gbps, 10.3125Gbps, and 12.5Gbps, which allows it to support individual lane FEC pass-through. Integrated physical AC coupling capacitors (TX and RX) eliminate the need for external capacitors on the PCB. The device has a single power supply and minimal need for external components. These features reduce PCB routing complexity and BOM cost. The advanced equalisation features of the device include a low-jitter three-tap transmit FIR filter, an adaptive continuous-time linear equaliser, and an adaptive decision feedback equaliser. This enables reach extension for lossy interconnect and backplanes with multiple connectors and crosstalk. The integrated CDR function is ideal for front-port optical module applications to reset the jitter budget and retime the high-speed serial data. It implements 2x2 cross-point on each channel pair, providing the host with both lane crossing and fanout options. The device can be configured either via the SMBus or through an external EEPROM. Up to 16 devices can share a single EEPROM. A non-disruptive on-chip eye monitor and a PRBS generator/checker allow for in-system diagnostics.