PCI-SIG announces PCI Express 7.0 specification with a speed of up to 128 gt/s

PCI-SIG, an organization responsible for the PCI Express (PCI) standard, announced the Release of version 0.9 of PCIE 7.0 specification for analysis of its members.

This is the last stage before the officialization of the standard, with the publication of the final version scheduled for the end of 2025. With the update, the organization maintains its tradition of double the data rate every three yearsincreasing the gross transmission speed of 64 GT/s (PCIE 6.0) to 128 GT/s in the new standard.

Focus on Data Centers, IA and High Performance Computing

Unlike previous versions, PIE 7.0 specification has a clear direction for market segments that require very high performance.

Technology will be essential for Large -scale, high performance computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (IA/ML), 800g and military and aerospace applications (IA/ML).

Interestingly, video signs for ordinary consumers were not mentioned in official announcements, suggesting that the initial focus will be in corporate and scientific environments. But of course, in the coming years we will surely see this implementation happening gradually. However, it is worth remembering that this will not be the initial focus.

PCIE transfer rate table (1.0 – 7.0)

Remembering that PIE works with bidirectional communicationmeaning data can be transmitted and received simultaneously. The bandwidth announced often adds both directions:

PCIe 7.0 x16:

• 256 GB/S Unidirectional (TX or RX only)
• 512 GB/S bidirectional (TX + RX)

This happens with all generations of PCIE. In many official PCI-SIG presentations, total bandwidth (TX + RX) is used to highlight the maximum bus capacity.

PCI 7.0 Not only doubles the data rate to 128 GT/s, but also delivers more energy efficiency and maintains retroactive compatibility

Main characteristics of PCI 7.0 specification

PCI-SIG has released the main technological advances that accompany the new generation of the PCIE bus. Among the highlights are:

• Enhanced speed: Gross transmission rate of 128 GT/if capacity of up to 512 GB/S bidirectionally in a X16 configuration.
• Use of the PAM4 sign (Pulse amplitude modulation with 4 levels)which allows greater efficiency in data transmission.
• Improvements in scope and signal qualitywith adjustments to channel parameters.
• Greater energy efficiencyreducing consumption without compromising performance.
• Minimum latency and high reliabilityensuring stability for critical applications.
• Compatibility with all previous generations of PIEallowing older devices to be used on new platforms.

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Market availability

Although the specification is advancing to its final version, the adoption of PCIE 7.0 by the market will still take a few years.

The PCI 5.0 standard, for example, has been completed three years ago and is only now starting to be widely used in graphic boards and SSDs. The same can occur with PCI 7.0, whose initial impact will be most visible on high performance servers and applications before reaching the ordinary user.

No company has so far announced products compatible with the new standard, but the first PCI 7.0-based devices are expected to be presented at technology events in the coming years.

Fonte: PCI-SIG