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10.3125 Gb/s Retiming Dual-Channel Transceiver

ISL37231

The ISL37231 is an advanced dual-channel, dual-simplex

retimer for active copper cable applications. Endowed with

sophisticated functions, such as media optimized (PCB or

Cable) and adaptive equalization, de-emphasis, and signal

retiming, this IC fortifies sensitive links that break with lesser

retiming solutions. The device contains high performance

mixed signal processing technology to provide a maximally

robust signal integrity solution for datacenter and consumer

applications. Such processing includes up to 25dB of

media-optimized equalization and versatile retiming

capabilities to reset link jitter budgets.

The ISL37231 provides this high level of performance while

significantly reducing power consumption relative to other

active cable solutions. At well below 500mW, the operating

power is the lowest in class, and a sleep mode function can be

invoked to reduce the power to a miniscule 3mW.

To facilitate ease of system integration, the ISL37231 provides

advanced diagnostic capabilities in the form of loopback and

high-resolution on-chip eye monitor functions, both accessed

via a UART interface.

The ISL37231 is optimized to work in conjunction with the

ISL80083 power management IC, however, it will also operate

with appropriate discrete components (voltage regulators and

a 33Mhz crystal oscillator).

Features

• Industry’s lowest power and highest performance

10.3125Gbps active cable solution for STP and twin-axial

cables

• Supports 64b/66b encoding

• Fully retimed low jitter outputs

• Up to 16.5dB of adjustable (or adaptive) receiver-side

equalization

• 9dB output de-emphasis

• Supports independent SSC on each channel

• On-chip microcontroller and eye monitor

• Multiple loopback modes

• Low power (<420mW) operation with 3mW sleep mode

• Ultra-small 5mmx5mm aQFN package

Applications

•Thunderbolt

™ active cables

• Proprietary high-speed active cable assemblies

Benefits

•Thinner gauge cable

• Extends cable reach

•Improved BER

PWR

GND

TX1

RX1

TX2

RX2

EQ CDR

EQ CDR

EQ

CDR

EQ

CDR

ISL37231

ISL80083

EEPROM

µC

AI2

AI1

BO1

BO2

AO2

AO1

BI1

BI2

CABLE CONNECTOR

PWR

GND

RX1

TX1

RX2

TX2

ISL37231

ISL80083

EEPROM

µC

BO2

BO1

AI1

AI2

BI2

BI1

AO1

AO2

CABLE CONNECTOR

EQ CDR

EQ CDR

EQ

CDR

EQ

CDR

CABLE MEDIA

ACTIVE CABLE

FIGURE 1. TYPICAL APPLICATION

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DE

DE

DE

DE

DE

DE

DE

CAUTION: These devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge; follow proper IC Handling Procedures.

1-888-INTERSIL or 1-888-468-3774 | Copyright Intersil Americas LLC 2012, 2013. All Rights Reserved

Intersil (and design) is a trademark owned by Intersil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.

All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

January 25, 2013

FN8266.1