PCI Express 4.0 to double the bandwidth

While we're still waiting for the first PCI Express 3.0 graphics cards, PCI-SIG has already cooked up the PCI Express 4.0 draft specification. This new standard will enable a bandwidth of 16 gigatransfers per second (GT/s), twice as much as PCI Express 3.0. The final PCIe 4.0 specification is expected in 2014 or 2015.

PCI-SIG�, the organization responsible for the widely adopted PCI Express� (PCIe�) industry-standard input/output (I/O) technology, today announced the approval of 16 gigatransfers per second (GT/s) as the bit rate for the next generation of PCIe architecture, PCIe 4.0. This decision comes after the PCI-SIG completed a feasibility study on scaling the PCIe interconnect bandwidth to meet the demands of a variety of computing markets.

After technical analysis, the PCI-SIG has determined that 16 GT/s on copper, which will double the bandwidth over the PCIe 3.0 specification, is technically feasible at approximately PCIe 3.0 power levels. The data also confirms that a 16GT/s interconnect can be manufactured in mainstream silicon process technology and can be deployed with existing low-cost materials and infrastructure, while maintaining compatibility with previous generations of PCIe architecture. In addition, the PCI-SIG will investigate advancements in active and idle power optimizations, key issues facing the industry.

�The PCI Express architecture has become the de facto I/O technology within the industry, in large part due to PCI-SIG�s dedication to I/O innovation and the insight of those who defined earlier versions in such an extensible manner,� said Nathan Brookwood, research fellow at Insight 64. �Like its predecessors, the PCIe 4.0 architecture is well positioned to preserve the industry's investments in earlier generations of PCI Express specifications while extending the technology in a manner that enables new applications and usage models.�

Approximately 24 billion lanes of PCIe have shipped in the marketplace since its introduction−a strong testament to the industry�s reliance on PCIe architecture as an open bus standard now and for the future. This next-generation PCIe architecture, while doubling the data rate, will maintain its position as a low-cost, high-performance I/O technology. PCIe 4.0 technology will maintain backward compatibility with previous PCIe architectures and provide the optimum design point for high-volume platform I/O implementations across a wide range of existing and emerging applications. The PCIe 4.0 specification will address the many applications pushing for increased bandwidth at a low cost including server, workstation, desktop PC, notebook PC, tablets, embedded systems, peripheral devices, high-performance computing markets and more.

�Experts in the PCIe Electrical Workgroup carefully analyzed a number of target bit rates for the next generation of PCIe architecture, taking into consideration several key factors, including our ability to continue using low-cost materials. We have concluded that 16 GT/s is a feasible technical solution that satisfies our member companies� requirements,� said Al Yanes, PCI-SIG chairman. �While the preliminary analysis is encouraging, a lot more challenging work lies ahead in developing the specifications. The PCI-SIG looks forward to providing our members with a specification that not only satisfies their high performance requirements but also meets their power, cost and compatibility goals.�

The final PCIe 4.0 specifications, including form factor specification updates, are expected to be available sometime in the 2014-2015 timeframe.

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Intel to double its cloud computing reference implementations

EE Times reports Intel's cloud computing program is on the rise:

Intel expects to more than double by the end of the year the 25 reference implementations for cloud computing it has available through its Cloud Builders program. The processor giant is leveraging interest in the trend to build closer ties with OEMs and others at a time when Intel's server franchise is under attack from alternative processor vendors.

Cloud computing involves running applications or accessing data on remote servers separated by a network "cloud." Amazon.com was one of the companies that pioneered the trend, selling to businesses extra time on the servers in its big data centers that run its online store.

Intel to double its cloud computing reference implementations - More news at DV Hardware