PCI-SIG introduces CopprLink Cable Specs for Next-Gen PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 Tech

In a move, PCI-SIG, the organization responsible for the widely adopted PCI Express (PCIe) standard, has just launched the highly anticipated CopprLink Internal and External Cable specifications. These game-changing specifications bring forth a new era of PCIe cabling, offering unparalleled signaling capabilities at 32.0 and 64.0 GT/s, while leveraging well-established industry standard connector form factors maintained by SNIA.

With the release of the CopprLink Cable specifications, PCIe cabling seamlessly integrates with the PCIe electrical base specification, delivering extended channel reach and unprecedented topological flexibility. Al Yanes, the esteemed President and Chairperson of PCI-SIG, expressed his enthusiasm for this development, stating that “The CopprLink Cables are intended to evolve with the same connector form factors, scale for future PCIe technology generations, and meet the demands of emerging applications.”

The CopprLink Internal Cable Specification is a true marvel, supporting PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 technology signaling at 32.0 and 64.0 GT/s. Featuring the SNIA SFF-TA-1016 connector form factor, it allows for a maximum reach of 1 meter within a single system. This opens up a world of possibilities, from motherboard-to-add-in-card connections to chip-to-chip and add-in-card-to-backplane configurations in self-contained server platform nodes. Storage and data center compute nodes will greatly benefit from this innovation.

On the other hand, the CopprLink External Cable Specification pushes the boundaries even further. Supporting PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 technology signaling at 32.0 and 64.0 GT/s, this specification incorporates the SNIA SFF-TA-1032 connector form factor, enabling a maximum reach of up to 2 meters in rack-to-rack connections. The potential applications are vast, ranging from CPU-to-storage and CPU-to-memory connections to CPU-to-accelerator and accelerator fabrics in disaggregated server platform nodes. This opens up exciting possibilities for storage and data center AI/ML use cases.

The CopprLink Internal and External Cable specifications are now available for download exclusively for PCI-SIG members. This eagerly awaited release marks a significant milestone in the evolution of PCIe technology, showcasing PCI-SIG’s unwavering commitment to driving innovation and meeting the ever-evolving demands of the industry. With the pathfinding work already underway for CopprLink Cables in PCIe 7.0 technology at 128.0 GT/s, the future looks incredibly promising for this technology.

Technology Explained

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CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

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PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.